My husband wants a GTP :O

[zina10]

Trust me, we are not trying to rain on your parade or trying to talk you out of it.

$450 IS a lot of money already, like you said. But it is even "more" money if you end up being un-happy or have to tack on vet prices with a unknown outcome.
$650 can end up being far cheaper, plus the added peace of mind and happiness.

GTP's are simply another class from Ball Pythons or even Blood Pythons and Boa's. I'm not even talking "Temperament" here. The GTP's I've had were actually quite the tame animals. (aside from evening/night time) They simply are far more fragile. They grow slower. You haven't seen TINY yet, until you've seen a GTP hatchling. Even yearlings are still quite the fragile animals.
If you end up with one that you may have to regularly check over or treat for anything, it will be far more difficult then with any of the other snakes. Even a smaller BP is easier to handle (not talking temperament) then a small GTP. Just getting a GTP to come off of their perch is NOT easy, it takes practice and patience and IF you end up with a nasty one...oy !! Not fun. Either the snake or you will end up hurt.

GTP's are wonderful snakes. I think you could deal with one without a problem and it would be a treasured animal in your collection. We're just trying to spare you the grief that can come from making the wrong decision.

Could you end up being lucky with one of the imports ? Sure. But just as possible you won't be. Even if a facility has a fairly good reputation, if they deal with a LOT of imports (like Outback does) you always take a risk. Many diseases are transmitted through AIR. Mites travel as well, and I don't care how much they treat for parasites, you can't kill them all if you constantly add new imports. And you cannot possibly do correct quarantine. If you did, you would have to set up EACH new shipment in a separate building and keep them there for a few weeks. Making workers change clothes between each building and sanitizing everything constantly. They do not do this. They expect their customers to realize what they get into when purchasing an import. Some experienced keepers will take that on. They know what to expect and can deal with the consequences. And to them its worth the risk to loose a animal here and there, as long as they get them cheap. And $400 for a GTP IS cheap.

There is no price differential between "pet quality" or breeder. There are price differences for USCBB, wild caught, import and yes, morphs. Morphs will cost more, but even a nice USCBB animal has a solid price, and for a reason.

To me its even more important to pick a nice, healthy USCBB animal from a reputable breeder if I'm looking to add a "pet". Because I want to make sure I can enjoy this pet without worry. It's not a "locked away" breeder who's temperament doesn't matter.

Just imagine what these snakes go through during "Import". And how they are bred, hatched and raised in those countries. Its all about profit. They make more money keeping them in rather questionable conditions (on the cheap) even if that means they loose many animals. Its still cheaper that way. Import is harsh on those animals too, and stressful. We all know what stress does to the immune system. Then they arrive in the country and get passed around a few more times (Layovers, customs, etc). They eventually arrive at destination and then get sorted and manhandled to be "treated" as a precaution. These animals have been through the ringer, and their experiences with people are nothing but fearful, painful and stressful up to that point.

Even if the importer gets them to eat, that does not mean everything.

If you can find a nice USCBB juvie that is well established and calm (somewhat tame) for around $650, that is a DEAL. I would try to put aside an extra $50 per month and then get a quality animal in time. You will not have to worry about infecting the rest of your collection with something, either.

Ultimately, it is up to you. And trust me, I understand...I'm a person with zero patience. To say patience is not my virtue is an understatement. I know how tempting it is to "just go for it" and if that is what you want to do, by all means, go for it. We will still be here for you and help you along and admire your pictures. We honestly just want to help you, so that your GTP experience will be a good one

I got my two GTP's from Ophiological Services in Florida, from Eugene Bessete. We were lucky enough to go there in person. It was AMAZING. The facility was not just beautiful but clean enough to eat off of the floor !!! GTP's everywhere !!! Eye Candy

That day they had about 35 or so hatchlings I could pick from. They told me to go ahead and clean each container (which meant moving their little perches, cleaning, then putting them back). Actually , that was brilliant! I got to see each little stinkers temperament and could really look them over well. I got my first 2 bites that day (LOL) but I fell in love with 2 of them. I only came for one, but left with two Those 2 I removed from their perches (they showed me how) and handled them briefly.

While Ophiological Services still exist, they do not work with GTP's anymore, sadly. But if I were ever to get another one of those fun and gorgeous snakes, I would make sure it would come from a breeder with the same principles and ethics. USCBB with care and pride. Little stinkers that have never been mishandled or manhandled and the only stress they will know is during the brief shipping period.

Just think it over And know we'll support you either way