GTP keepers, I have questions

[Brandon Osborne]

First let me say, you will probably never work with a more enjoyable and rewarding species that chondros. They are really amazing animals to watch and keep. Now to get down to the nitty gritty.

As a long-term keeper(17 yrs) of chondros, I would recommend an animal no less than 6 months old. In my opinion, juvenile chondros are the hardest snake species to get feeding, next to gray-banded kings. The little suckers just do not want to bite and you really have to pester them for a strike. Usually by 6 months, you should establish a normal feeding schedule and the animal feeding on small fuzzies at a minimum. The more documented feedings the better. Once they begin feeding they are bullet-proof. The seem to always be hungry. What better snake is there than one that only eats 2-4 meals per month and only poops once a month?

As far as color, locale, and temperment.....I've experienced everything from kitten tame, trust them with a 4 year old.....to eat your face off demonic. In my experience, even with imported adults, Jayapura and Sorong locale seem to be the easiest to handle and most reluctant to bite. Every Biak I have ever owned has been defensive and will not hesitate to bite. The one Aru I had was the absolute nastiest chondro I've ever witnessed. She would chase you across a room to get a bit on you. With mix locale, it is all in the genetics. The SCZ line I have worked with since 1999, has produced some of the sweetest animals I've ever owned. I could trust my male with absolutely anyone capable responsible handling. If you want bright green animals with nice blue markings, Sorongs, Jayas, and Arus are the best bet.....Aru can be hit and miss though.

Cage size is subject to opinion. In my experience, animals have done better in small to medium size cages. I keep my adults in 20x20x20 and have had success in doing so for many years. I switched to 30x20x20 and 40x20x20 and had more trouble with humidity and heating. It mainly depends on what works for you and more importantly your animals. I have kept and bred them in Rubbermade tubs, so as long as your animals needs are met, you will do just fine. Humidity is an overly concerned topic for people that haven't kept chondros much. High humidity can have negative results if not done right. Warm and humid conditions can cause bacterial and fungal growth. As long as your cage isn't dry within a few hours of a good misting you're set....but always allow for a drying out period between "rains".

Now on to what makes them so great!









and can you believe all those beautiful HY critters were produced by this girl?.....


Now some locale animals.
Biak

Aru

Cyclops Mountain

Jayapura

Kaufia Island


I would post some designer stuff, but I figured you are probably tired of the pics by now. If you want a quality animal worth your money, anyone of the breeders on moreliaviridis.com should treat you right. As mentioned, Rocky has some great animals. Rico Walder is the king of chondros and usually has a wide variety of locale and designer animals available. Shows, unless there are breeders there, are usually imported farmed hatchlings or wc adults. The best way to know is to ask for pictures of their breeders. If they don't have them, they more than likely didn't breed them......chondro owners are a proud group of people that love to show off their collections.(see above)
Don't setting for an animal because of price. That CBB baby is worth the extra $100-250. Get the book "The More Complete Chondro". I think it runs about $50-60 and is an excellent reference source. Good luck with your search.

[DooLittle]

First, thank you so much for your post. That book is crazy expensive to get a printed copy. I did download it to a kindle, and have started reading it. Yes, I have decided I would prefer to get one that is around a year old. Thank you for the website as well. One more place to check out. Now we are at a matter of when, not if.... Need to find the right one. Have it narrowed down to a Sorong, Aru, or the Jayupara (sp?).

And I could never get tired of pictures!! Post more...

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[zumTod076]

the only forum you will EVER need for whatever questions you could possibly think of regarding chondros.
http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com/
one of the most responsive caring helpful communities
utilize the search bar, EVERYTHING is there.
hopfully its okay to say this and i dont get kicked off ha

[Evenstar]

.........If you want a quality animal worth your money, anyone of the breeders on moreliaviridis.com should treat you right. As mentioned, Rocky has some great animals. Rico Walder is the king of chondros and usually has a wide variety of locale and designer animals available. Shows, unless there are breeders there, are usually imported farmed hatchlings or wc adults. The best way to know is to ask for pictures of their breeders. If they don't have them, they more than likely didn't breed them......chondro owners are a proud group of people that love to show off their collections.(see above)
Don't setting for an animal because of price. That CBB baby is worth the extra $100-250. Get the book "The More Complete Chondro". I think it runs about $50-60 and is an excellent reference source. Good luck with your search.

the only forum you will EVER need for whatever questions you could possibly think of regarding chondros.
http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com/
one of the most responsive caring helpful communities
utilize the search bar, EVERYTHING is there.
hopfully its okay to say this and i dont get kicked off ha

Totally agree with this!!! Can't believe I forgot to mention the morelia viridis forum..... That's what I get for being on so many pain meds right now, lol!

Also, for temperament and possible blue color combined in one animal, stick with a Sorong or Jayapura (see Brandon's Jayapura above - what a gorgeous snake!). Jaya's are fantastic animals and have some of the most mellow temperaments, plus they tend to all have that spectacular blue dorsal.

Any chance you're thinking of attending NARBC at Tinley Park in March?? If so, the "Chondro Coalition" will be there. They are a group of chondro breeders who ALL have stellar reputations and are a part of the morelia forum. They work together to breed some truely spectacular individuals and often have a lot of really nice animals available. Just thought I'd mention Tinley because then you can actually see and handle some GTPs and talk to several great breeders at once.

BUT I purchased Hunter sight unseen from Rocky and totally trusted his judgement and I'm so glad I did - what a great guy and a great animal. Hunter was absolutely everything Rocky said he'd be. And that's the kind of service you'll get from nearly anyone who's a part of the Coalition.

Here are a couple other breeders that I know are part of the Coalition. There are more, but I know about these off the top of my head:
http://www.arborealenthusiast.com/ (Rocky Gravley)
http://www.signalherp.com/ (Rico Walder)
http://www.finegtps.com/
http://www.iherp.com/Public/ShowUser...0-9efff6c13d40
http://www.southernchondros.com/
http://www.moreliacreations.com/

[DooLittle]

I wish I could go to a show. I'm on the west coast though. :-(

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Evenstar]

No worries!! There's a NARBC in Anaheim, CA in September. Just go to www.narbc.com for more info!

[DooLittle]

No worries!! There's a NARBC in Anaheim, CA in September. Just go to www.narbc.com for more info!

That's still to far. We don't get any good shows in Washington.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Evenstar]

Oh bummer. Shoot - thought I had it there.

There aren't many good shows up here in MI either. The best is Tinley in Chicago, but from where we live we still have a 6 hour drive for it. Can't wait for October.....

[DooLittle]

What do you think about keeping young ones in a tub? One guy (I just found out he was actually in Australia) that I've been emailing, and seems knowledgeable, and has beautiful animals, keeps his youngsters in tubs and said they do very well. I'm thinking temporarily during qt. Hubby wants to build enclosure. And tub would make qt easier, as I already have a set up. I'm trying to find the locale I want, and not finding many that jump out at me. Underground reptiles in Florida has some Jaya babes. I emailed to see how old they are, ad says strong eaters. But if they are so delicate, how do they do during shipping??? Thanks for putting up with all my questions guys!

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Evenstar]

Oh tubs are fine for juvies and even some smaller adults if the tub is large enough. These are not difficult snakes to keep and they adapt well. The tub just has to be deep enough to offer a couple of perches - and the perches need to be the correct size for the specific animal you get, so you may want to have a few sizes available but not install them until you've choosen your new GTP and know what size you'll have to use. A tub for q/t and a custom-built enclosure for its permanent home is perfect.

I would NOT, however, purchase a chondro from Underground. I don't have anything against them, but I can nearly garuantee that any chondros they sell are going to be farmed babies and not CBB. Stick to someone from the Coalition for your first GTP. It may take a little more time, but I'm sure you can find a Jayapura if that's what you want. I know Rocky would help you find one and so would nearly any other breeder from the Coalition if you ask. You will be far more satisfied and get a much healthier and better quality animal!

Personally, I would call Rocky or Rico and just tell them up front what you want - a nicely tempered yearling with some Jayapura background or pure Jaya - and see what they say. Most of these guys LOVE to talk chondros and will be glad to help you out. My first phone call to Rocky, I was on the line for over an hour!! He was sooo helpful!


***** Found the perfect animal for you!!! Check this out!

http://www.arborealenthusiast.com/dh.../000000086.htm

Maybe not quite as blue as you'd like, but keep in mind that the more blue, the more money, lol. And Rocky will do time payments!!! Let me know what you think! If this was a female, I'd be all over it....