GTP questions

[abrunsen]

I am entertaining the idea of getting a GTP. That being said, I have a few questions. First, what size enclosure is it going to need as an adult? My second question is what type of enclosures are best in your opinion for GTP's as babies, juvies, and adults? (do you suggest starting them in rubber-maids and then moving them to something bigger?). Finally, I know you aren't really supposed to hold them until they are older and they are pretty much a show snake but I am going to want to hold them when they are old enough. What locality do you typically think is the most laid back.

Thanks for the advice,
Alex

[The Serpent Merchant]

First off, I suggest that you get this book, it is amazing and totally worth the price.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Chond.../dp/0976733455

For caging, you want to start them off in a tub. I would keep them in tubs until they are an adult, at which point, I would go with a 4x2x2 PVC cage such as the Animal Plastics T12. PVC cages are the best because they hold in the humidity really well.

[abrunsen]

I just went to their website and looked at their products and this is really weird but their location is from my home town! The odds of that is crazy! Looks like I will save on shipping!

[1nstinct]

6/7 qt tubs as neos-yearlings my neo is in a 7qt tub i got from walmart for $3. yeah you are right they are deff a show snake! My neo will try to bite you anytime you open her tub, and i mean soon as the top comes off(i have been bite on the nose and lip. and even at a neo size the bite hurts as much as an adult bp.) Aarons right read the complete condro 2-4 times cover to cover and check out fineGtp.com for some extra info. Try to avoid "sellers" they do not know the history of the animal, look for someone who breeds GTP and can show you some pedigree(mine has one and his/her grandparents were breed by Greg Maxwell) and feed cards(most will not sell until they have 10 meals in them and are eating without problems). and try to hold off with holding as much as possible until they are 12-18 months old because there spines are very fragile(also why don't buy a sexed neo!!!!!!). And just be careful with humidity with noes, one bad shed could cause a lot of problems for you. And every locality is different because every snake is different, my friend has a "biak" type the is like a puppy,and he has a "Aru" type that is like the devil.
Tom

[Evenstar]

Personally, I highly recommend getting a well-established juvenile (not neonate) or young adult as your first chondro. There are several reasons for this:

First, neonates are very very delicate. A neo generally shouldn't be held until its about a year old. Their spines can break at the slightest wrong move. They are notoriously difficult to get started and even once a breeder achieves several feedings, there's no garauntee it'll continue to feed.

Second, there is no way to know for sure what a neo's temperament will be like as an adult. Sure, you can get a rough idea from the parents, but there's no garauntee. With an older animal, you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Lastly, you can start off with an adult enclosure instead of having to grow the cage to suit the animal. An adult chondro will do fine in a 3x2x2 and that is probably the best choice. Horizontal is just as important as height for these guys. Many breeders will use a 2x2x2 cube and that's ok, but I personally feel that a 3ft wide cage is better as it'll provide just that much more space for the snake to thermoregulate. I love my pvc cage from www.pvccages.com. It holds humidity really well and provides lots of room. It was also easy to adapt it to a natural vivarium environment.

Here is a pic of my cage and my GTP, Hunter. Hunter is a large male at just over 5ft. He is now 9 years old and I purchased him from Rocky Gravley last fall. Getting an adult animal was the very BEST decision I could've made - he is an incredible animal and a perfect gentleman (and an extremely aggressive feeder too).



And chondros are not always "hands off". There are many that are quite gentle. Aru's and Jayapuras are generally known as the most docile and Biaks are generally considered more flightly and/or aggressive. But that is simply a general rule. Again, getting a 1 or 2 year old animal is the best way to know temperament. Here is Hunter with Rocky's 8 year old son. Hunter is a PNG x OSHY which means simply that he's a mix of several locals.

[abrunsen]

Personally, I highly recommend getting a well-established juvenile (not neonate) or young adult as your first chondro. There are several reasons for this:

First, neonates are very very delicate. A neo generally shouldn't be held until its about a year old. Their spines can break at the slightest wrong move. They are notoriously difficult to get started and even once a breeder achieves several feedings, there's no garauntee it'll continue to feed.

Second, there is no way to know for sure what a neo's temperament will be like as an adult. Sure, you can get a rough idea from the parents, but there's no garauntee. With an older animal, you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Lastly, you can start off with an adult enclosure instead of having to grow the cage to suit the animal. An adult chondro will do fine in a 3x2x2 and that is probably the best choice. Horizontal is just as important as height for these guys. Many breeders will use a 2x2x2 cube and that's ok, but I personally feel that a 3ft wide cage is better as it'll provide just that much more space for the snake to thermoregulate. I love my pvc cage from www.pvccages.com. It holds humidity really well and provides lots of room. It was also easy to adapt it to a natural vivarium environment.

Here is a pic of my cage and my GTP, Hunter. Hunter is a large male at just over 5ft. He is now 9 years old and I purchased him from Rocky Gravley last fall. Getting an adult animal was the very BEST decision I could've made - he is an incredible animal and a perfect gentleman (and an extremely aggressive feeder too).



And chondros are not always "hands off". There are many that are quite gentle. Aru's and Jayapuras are generally known as the most docile and Biaks are generally considered more flightly and/or aggressive. But that is simply a general rule. Again, getting a 1 or 2 year old animal is the best way to know temperament. Here is Hunter with Rocky's 8 year old son. Hunter is a PNG x OSHY which means simply that he's a mix of several locals.

Wow, thank you for all your advice! I am really wanting a GTP, I need to do a lot more research though. I am curious, whats your opinion on the Exoterra cages. I have one that would be perfect for a GTP adult. Also for heating the enclosure do you use a CHE or a radiant heat panel or what would you suggest?

-Alex

[babyknees]

That's your set up ! It's gorgeous and I'm jealous. Every time I try to decorate he trashes it!

[MSG-KB]

Yep I agree with all above. I have a male ARU and he is the best. He is about 5ft. I do not have a nice cage like above but we make do. Right now we are working with his month he broke a tooth and I did not see it in time so we are doing shots, rinse and cleaning in side and he does not try to bite or anything. He is the best boy ever. Mine is the same,


Posted by Evenstar
Getting an adult animal was the very BEST decision I could've made - he is an incredible animal and a perfect gentleman (and an extremely aggressive feeder too).

[Evenstar]

Wow, thank you for all your advice! I am really wanting a GTP, I need to do a lot more research though. I am curious, whats your opinion on the Exoterra cages. I have one that would be perfect for a GTP adult. Also for heating the enclosure do you use a CHE or a radiant heat panel or what would you suggest?

-Alex

The exoterra's are usually ok, as long as the one you have is big enough. What are the dimensions?? As far as holding temps and humidity, they do just fine. I know one breeder in particular who uses these exclusively for his collection. But the smallest one you'd want (for an adult) would be the large tall (36x18x24) or the large x-tall (36x18x36). Size is even more important if you dec it out with lots of branches and plants like I did - all that stuff takes up space, lol...

My enclosure is heated with a Radient Heat Panel. And that is what I strongly recommend for these guys in particular. CHEs suck out your humidity.

That's your set up ! It's gorgeous and I'm jealous. Every time I try to decorate he trashes it!

Thank you very much! I loved putting it together! I have several snakes, but I wanted one snake in particular to be a center piece and focal point in our living room with a spectacular display to boot. That's one nice thing with GTPs, they are light-bodied and good climbers so they don't tend to destroy things too much. The key is to find really sturdy, but realistic, plants. Live plants don't hold up to crushing well but the fakes can be straigtened and re-bent if necessary. Each week I "fluff" them and do a generally fixing and primping. It's more work than a tub, but it's worth it....