GTP vs. ETB

[Evenstar]

Thanks for all of the responses everyone. I think I've finally made a decision, and I'm gonna go with the Green Tree Python. I gotta build a cage and get everything set up perfect before I get one though and that could take awhile. There is one thing I'm gonna have to go against though. If I'm gonna spend $400 on a snake I want to get a baby while it's still red so I can watch it change colors as it gets older. I understand I'll have to be extremely careful while handling it, if I get it out at all. One question though, what would you feed a snake that has a head the size of a dime or smaller?

First off, congrats!! You will not be sorry and you'll really enjoy a GTP. They are amazing animals!

But, and I can not stress this enough, I HIGHLY recommend you start with a juvenile or young adult. Neonates are extremely fragile. You can break their spine just picking them up. This is why most people don't handle them AT ALL for the first year at least. They can also be very hard to feed. Sometimes they have to be assist-fed. Neos are generally better left to someone with GTP experience or a LOT of general snake experience (and if you have that, forgive me, it's impossible to know personal details about everyone on these forums, lol, but just based on what you've shared thus far, I did not get that impression. I apologize if I'm wrong).

As far as what a GTP neo would eat, they can eat pinky or even hopper mice right from the egg. But the younger they are, the harder it is to feed them. MANY breeders have neos in almost every clutch that never do eat. DO NOT buy a baby that hasn't eaten at LEAST 1/2 a dozen times!!

Lastly, it's not impossible, but it is very very hard to find a RED neo at or under $400. Be prepared to spend $600 or even double that or more for a red neo. You may well find a yellow neo for less than that, but GTPs are high demand animals so it's hard.

Personally, I would check with Ryan Burke of Clockwork Reptiles (he's on Facebook). He has some very nice GTPs IF you have your heart set on a neo. Ryan's neos are well-started and eating well at the time of sale. And he sometimes has yellow neos for $375 and up. Occasionally he offers red neos for around $450 and up. He is a great guy to work with. Doolittle purchased her recent neo from Ryan and I'm sure she'll chime in on that.

Allie Watson is another great person to buy from. Look up AllieCat Watson on Facebook and she's on iHerp too. I got our recent yearling GTP from her and I am extremely happy with the snake and with the whole transaction. Allie was fantastic to work with and I'd buy from her again in a heartbeat.

Good luck!