GTP vs. ETB

[Evenstar]

Temperament is a known quantity with an young adult too!!

[Brad91]

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.

I found a little red one at a pet store about 20 minutes from home for $400. It's the same pet store where I get my feeders and he keeps all of his reptiles in amazing condition, he breeds his own BP's there even. I'd hate to get a little one and lose it though... Along with all of that money... That's a paycheck for me... Any suggestions on how small I could safely go? I got my BP's at about 150g and never had a problem.

[KMG]

I would make sure its captive born and bred here in the USA. Many pet stores get farm raises wild captured eggs or from wild caught adults. The problem with those is they can be full of parasites and have much nastier attitudes.

[Evenstar]

I found a little red one at a pet store about 20 minutes from home for $400. It's the same pet store where I get my feeders and he keeps all of his reptiles in amazing condition, he breeds his own BP's there even. I'd hate to get a little one and lose it though... Along with all of that money... That's a paycheck for me... Any suggestions on how small I could safely go? I got my BP's at about 150g and never had a problem.

Does he breed the GTPs himself too? If not, can he garauntee where it came from - as in who bred it?? If not, it is almost certainly a farmed animal or from wild-caught parents. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to only buy a GTP from a reputable breeder! It is even more important to do this with GTPs because there are so many farmed animals out there and there is little documentation on them.

I understand about the money. $400 is a lot for me too. But that's why its even more important to buy from a reputable breeder - even if you have to pay a little more up front. You'll spend less in the long run. I mentioned both Ryan and Allie earlier because they are very reasonable and have excellent captive bred and born stock with documented lineage.

GTPs are not ball pythons. Just because you can raise a tiny baby ball doesn't mean you'll do well with a baby GTP. I have raised numerous boas starting with babies as young as 6 weeks old and only at 110gm and I am hesitant to raise a neo GTP. You are best off starting with a yearling. You'll still see a lot of color changes.

I would make sure its captive born and bred here in the USA. Many pet stores get farm raises wild captured eggs or from wild caught adults. The problem with those is they can be full of parasites and have much nastier attitudes.

Exactly.

[DooLittle]

I have raised balls and boas, from 80 gram babies. They are NOTHING like the itty bitty neo gtp I just got (a December 2012). He is from Ryan at Clockwork, who was great to do business with. He was well started, and feeding him is absolutely nothing, like any snake I have ever had. I have had a corn, have 7 balls, and two boas. While I do have snake experience, he is still a learning experience for me. The jump from balls to boas was nothing. But to a gtp, he's a whole different ball of wax. He is doing well, and I have got him to eat for me every week so far, but I won't lie that I am scared I will mess something up. I definitely would not just jump into them, especially with minimal experience. Or you may very well lose your $400 investment. If you planning on getting a gtp, you need to get and read the book The More Complete Chondro.


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[KMG]

The More Complete Chondro is now available on Kindle for alot less than trying to find the hard copy.

[Evenstar]

Yes!!! Do get that book! It is fabulous! And the kindle version is much cheaper.

[KMG]

I ran across this pic on google images and thought it was great. Really shows how small and fragile they can be.

[jbean7916]

I ran across this pic on google images and thought it was great. Really shows how small and fragile they can be.

This is the cutest thing EVAR!

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[AdamM]

I find both are quite easy to keep. Everyone is just too intimidated by the stories that are out there. Keep them as the breeder has and you'll have no issues. Been keeping Emeralds since 2003 and breeding them since 2008.

Here's a few of the gang.