GTP Ownership Questions

[KMG]

An established adult that is tame will always be more money. If you dont handle it and leave it for display only, it is a pretty good bet that it will tag you every time you reach around it. They are in no way naturally nice. Just remeber that you WILL HAVE TO move it when the cage needs a good wash or changing cages. Its not something you can lock away and just look at forever.

Be cautious. Everytime I say I wont get that til whenever I will run across it and then own it. Everyone on here will tell you that snakes are addictive.

The only reason I would say have another snake first is you can learn from it about yourself. Meaning even a bp will move quickly from time to time when your dealing with it so you can see what kind of startle response you have. With a gtp they will strike at you and if your not used to how a snake can move quickly at or away from you it may catch you off guard and you may by accident drop the snake. Its not natural for a person to stand their ground and let a snake bite them but many times that is just what you have to do with a gtp. Many times I can see it coming but cant do a thing about it other than take the bite.

[Wysteria]

The only reason I would say have another snake first is you can learn from it about yourself.

Would interacting with a friend's bp collection and offering to feed them or clean their containers be helpful? I'm all for hands on learning, but I seriously CANNOT have a snake right now. My lease specifically disallows pets and since all my housemates are typical females (and one is the landlord) there is no chance I could get away with having one until I move in 6-12 months.

[KMG]

Would interacting with a friend's bp collection and offering to feed them or clean their containers be helpful? I'm all for hands on learning, but I seriously CANNOT have a snake right now. My lease specifically disallows pets and since all my housemates are typical females (and one is the landlord) there is no chance I could get away with having one until I move in 6-12 months.

That would be great. If he has one that has alittle attitude I would get real comfortable dealing with it.

I think gtp are great snakes and welcome the challenge but they are unique snakes that require a unique owner. Not many people will seek a snake they know will, not may, will bite them. I would recommend a gtp to anyone that is willing to learn about them and knows what they are getting into. Get one, you seem to be that kind of person.

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Did you see my post on page 1? We both post about the same time so you might have missed it. I tried to answer everything you asked.

[Sprinkles]

The idea that all GTP's are aggressive is a myth. There's actually a great discussion about it going on right now on morelia viridis forum (which is also the single best resource for the species on the internet). When it comes to captive bred animals, aggressiveness seems to be rather rare. Oftentimes, an aggressive parent will have aggressive babies. The vast majority of CB babies are completely chill. For example, I got my own GTP as a well-established neonate when he was about 30 grams. He was completely handlable when I got him, although at that size their spines are still too delicate to handle safely. Biaks have a reputation with being aggressive, but that really isn't true with CB animals. They do, however, tend to have quite the feeding response. Personality-wise, my chondro acts like calm BP during the day, but if I were to stick my hand in his cage at night I'd definitely get bit. A simple spritz of my water bottle will snap him out of hunting mode and make him safe to deal with.

Same with aggression, the only way to truly tell what it'll look like as an adult would be to look at the parents. Maroon neonates in some lines have a tendency to have more extreme colors, but every baby has the chance to end up being plain green. It's really just guess work as to what a baby will look like as an adult. GTP breeders keep meticulous breeding records as the only definitive "morph" is albino, everything else is just selective breeding.

Like others said, they're just as easy to care for as a ball python, but they do require a bit more effort and money to get set up. They're more likely to use horizontal space as opposed to vertical space. If you get The More Complete Chondro you'll see a much more detailed explanation on the things you'll need for caging.

The biggest debate on care is with misting. There are those that swear by misting their animals daily, others say weekly, and even some say rarely. General consensus is that hydration is more important than humidity. Some chondros have a hard time figuring out that a water dish is where they should drink from, and mine is one of those. The only way I can guarantee that he'll drink is if I spray down his body (though never directly on his head). Not everyone has this problem, it's just something I've experienced with my own animal.

I think you could absolutely have a GTP as your first snake, but I would suggest that you really really do your research. Set up the enclosure and practice your keeping habits (such as misting) before you lay any money down on a snake. Avoid young neonates, go for more well-established animals or yearlings. Read through as many threads on MVF as you possibly can stand. Some of the biggest names in the chondro world frequent there, and they are more than happy to answer questions and help other keepers out.

Geeze, this turned into a bit of a novella! Kudos to anyone who was able to read through the whole thing lol.

EDIT: Almost completely forgot! If you see anyone advertising sexed neonates, or are guaranteeing sex on animals less than a year old, AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE. Chondro's delicate spines makes it extremely dangerous to sex them any younger than a year old, and many people wait until they're 2. Avoid animals sold on kingsnake. There are some good breeders on there, but most are indiscriminate importers that are likely selling animals that are dehydrated, covered in mites, and full of parasites. Spend a little more and go with a proper breeder.

Hope that helps!

[KMG]

My Biak was CB and was in no way nice out of the gate, she required work. Where did you get yours? Its a Biak?

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Mine must be wired backwards cause she is much easier to deal with at night. LOL!

[Sprinkles]

My Biak was CB and was in no way nice out of the gate, she required work. Where did you get yours? Its a Biak?

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Mine must be wired backwards cause she is much easier to deal with at night. LOL!

I got mine from a breeder locally. He's a biak x merauke x aru cross.

Some babies are definitely born with an attitude, I was just saying that it's not nearly as common as their reputation would lead you to believe. Mine has a personality somewhere between a BP and a colubrid. Most of the time he's got a pretty calm, curious demeanor. But when night hits you better watch out, cause he's out for blood! I've managed so far to not get tagged thanks to the squirt bottle, but it's pretty common for him to strike at the glass if I walk by during the night. I won't lie, he's definitely my favorite snake.

[KMG]

My GTP is my favorite too. I love working with her even though she bites me.

Just before she went into shed I had a great session with her. She crawled across my head around my neck across my shoulders and back to my hand to perch up. It was awesome!

I bought her from a pet shop owner that I think thought she would be less nippy and didnt want to work with her. He told me she had only struck once. Just on the ride home she hit the glass three times. I figured then I had been lied to but having done my homework I knew that she could be like that so I was undetered. His lost was my gain. I want another.

[Void]

If you do your research and use your head then getting a GTP as your first snake is fine. I surprised my gf with 2 baby GTPs for her bday and they can be taken out of their cage and handled with no problem. People also say carpet pythons are mean as babies, but out of 13 I've only had 2 that bit me. You might get a nice one if you're lucky or you might get a demon. I think you'll do fine either way long as you study up on them.

[KMG]

I agree if you get a nice one but not a demon. A new snake owner dealing with a nippy tree python is not a good idea. But trying to get one that is tame young can be a challenge.

Share the breeder you got yours from so they can check them out.

[Void]

Share the breeder you got yours from so they can check them out.

I got them from Underground Reptiles