Finally getting a GTP and I'm AMPED

[redshepherd]

It's done and official, I sent my payment to pvccages and I'm finally getting that green arboreal thing that I've wanted for almost a year. Kill me now. Or don't, because I didn't get the GTP yet!!!

Still need to wait 2~3 weeks first for pvccages to actually... make the cage and ship it to me. But I am so ready. I'm so so so so excited and ready for this new challenge. I'm containing my excitement on a forum, or else my entire post would be me yelling and dying in all caps, and that would look obnoxious to people's eyeballs.

I've been deciding between Emerald Tree Boa or GTP, but ultimately decided on the latter for the smaller size and price for captive bred. I'm wanting a captive bred male Aru that's older than 9 months, but still have yet to find a good breeder. For now, I will get all the equipment and enclosure ready first.

OMG. HAHAH. Dang.

The most pointless thread on the forum right now.

So what are some of your interesting experiences and quirks to look out for, ETB or GTP owners? Breeder recommendations?

[enginee837]

Not sure on breeders but there is a book that I would consider to be a must. That is "The Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell.
I don't have any crazy stories or quirks about her but my all time favorite snake was a female aru. I first met her in a mom and pop pet shop where I worked in college taming exotics so they could be sold as pets. She had been taken in trade and the owner was afraid to even try handling her because of the reputation the species had. Every night she would escape and every morning she would be in the same spot. The owner used a snake hook with her. One morning I decided to use my hands and I told myself if she did not try to bite me I was taking her home. The rest was history. The kids we let hold her thought she was just a beautiful green ball python because she was so mellow. Having to get rid of her was very difficult but she went to a great home.

[DennisM]

check out this forum's classifieds. there are lots of reputable GTP breeders here.

http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com

Of course, as always, do your research before buying. Don't get scared if the first few ads you read have asking prices of several thousand dollars. There are plenty of others at far more affordable prices.

GTPs are not BPs. Nor are they as fierce as their sometime reputation suggests. Mine seem to prefer being left alone, but they are easily handled during daylight hours. Once the sun goes down, they are in full blown ambush predator mode; if it moves, they hit it! I advise against entering the enclosure after dark unless truly necessary.

on the other hand, if you actually want to see your GTP move around rather than just hanging on a perch, I do suggest observing them middle of the night. you might be surprised how active they can be compared to their "hang on a perch all day" reputation. but yeah, they do love their perches. I use removable perches. usually when I do cage maintenance for them, I just remove the perch with the snake attached. It's easier for both of us.

[redshepherd]

Not sure on breeders but there is a book that I would consider to be a must. That is "The Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell.
I don't have any crazy stories or quirks about her but my all time favorite snake was a female aru. I first met her in a mom and pop pet shop where I worked in college taming exotics so they could be sold as pets. She had been taken in trade and the owner was afraid to even try handling her because of the reputation the species had. Every night she would escape and every morning she would be in the same spot. The owner used a snake hook with her. One morning I decided to use my hands and I told myself if she did not try to bite me I was taking her home. The rest was history. The kids we let hold her thought she was just a beautiful green ball python because she was so mellow. Having to get rid of her was very difficult but she went to a great home.

Thanks, I'll check the book out! That's a really interesting result for the store GTP. I'm sure that's extremely rare! What ended up the reason you had to give her up?

check out this forum's classifieds. there are lots of reputable GTP breeders here.

http://moreliaviridis.yuku.com

Of course, as always, do your research before buying. Don't get scared if the first few ads you read have asking prices of several thousand dollars. There are plenty of others at far more affordable prices.

GTPs are not BPs. Nor are they as fierce as their sometime reputation suggests. Mine seem to prefer being left alone, but they are easily handled during daylight hours. Once the sun goes down, they are in full blown ambush predator mode; if it moves, they hit it! I advise against entering the enclosure after dark unless truly necessary.

on the other hand, if you actually want to see your GTP move around rather than just hanging on a perch, I do suggest observing them middle of the night. you might be surprised how active they can be compared to their "hang on a perch all day" reputation. but yeah, they do love their perches. I use removable perches. usually when I do cage maintenance for them, I just remove the perch with the snake attached. It's easier for both of us.

Thanks Dennis! I just made an account there to check out the sale forum. No worries, I've been browsing GTP and ETB prices for the past half year or so already, but on faunaclassifieds and the GTP facebook group... LOL! I figured there might be some well-known reputable breeders who stand out from the rest?

I've also read that night feeding mode about them, so definitely not handling at night. I believe pvccages is removable perches too (or I hope so). It definitely seems a lot more convenient for cleaning.

[enginee837]

I had to give her up because I got picked up by a local Fire Department doing wildland firefighting. It meant I would be gone for 21 day tours. The girlfriend that I had partnered with in the snake endeavor went off to college and we had no one to help take care of the collection. In the end they all went to good homes. Our scrub pythons actually ended up in a local zoo program because of their size and unusually calm disposition.