While I plan on buying a etb for my collection I have to say I am glad I started with gtp. I have only handled one etb and she was pretty good but not as nice as my gtp has turned out to be.
I had a Biak first and she was a terror. She lived to strike me and I think she liked my blood. A gtp has needle like teeth that are pretty long when compared to others like balls, or bloods. My Biak as a baby had teeth that were 1/4 inch so Im sure my current adult male Aru has a nice set on him. I just don't temp him to get fussy so I have not checked them out to close.
My current Aru is a good boy. He can have grumpy days but they are rare. Night is a different story. If he is in hunt mode cruising around his cage he will tag you. The few times he has tagged me it was more of a leave me alone nip than a full on bite, but it still draws blood. I can take him out during the day and he will crawl all around my arms and neck and is very inquisitive.
I know I have read over and over not to remove a gtp from its perch but I have found that my guy keeps a loose grip and I can turn him over on the perch and he just releases into my hand. If I try to get him to get moving to get him out he takes a death grip on the perch and then you have no chance of getting him out. My Biak I could rub and get it moving like suggested to remove one from its perch this just never works on my Aru.
My Biak was a baby and was a real pain. I am much happier with my Aru since I got him as a young adult. I had a better idea of his temperament and his color pattern. I love blues and he has a lot of blue in him which I love.
As far as the husbandry goes I find it pretty simple but that is because I have a nice PVCcages cage for him that holds the heat and humidity well. A nice cage is a must.
I vote to get a gtp to get your feet wet on an arboreal snake.
Reply With Quote