Questions about GTP

pilot511 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:29 AM

Theres a couple green tree pythons I have had my eyes on....considering maybe getting myself one for the holidays....there is one adult from aru, very friendly I have held a few times, no bites or strikes or anything, a good feeder, $600 with everything..heres a pic of me holding him-

Anyways though, if I dont want to spend or have the money at the time, My questions are if I got a baby instead, what age can you start more or less handling them/showing them you are not food or a threat? I would like to handle tthem but I do understand they are not like my ball python or boa or anything else....any recommendations? And what size cage is recommended for an adult? 2 foot x 2 foot x 2 foot, or does it require bigger, or can they go smaller? Thanks and happy holidays.

Herpguy55 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:44 AM

here check this link out.. its a very detailed caresheet on gtps tells about neonatle care, adult care, handling, feeding, breeding, showing, cages, everything in depth! hope it helps!

GTP Care

pilot511 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:51 AM

link is definitely very descriptive and helpful....thanks

Herpguy55 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:57 AM

anytime!

pilot511 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 03:45 PM

my only remaining real question is if you like to handle your snakes but understand the complications of the green tree, is it still a good choice?

Eric From Cincinnati · #6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 04:15 PM

First, I have an emerald, not a GTP so I'm hoping they are similar enough that this applies. Second I am by no means an expert so this is just MY experience.
My emerald will allow me to hold her as long as I let her crawl out of the cage and onto me. I remove her perch about 2 or 3 times a week to give her a "shower" in the sink. Sometimes she tolerates it and other times she runs. When she runs i hold out my fingers and let her latch on to those. Once she's all the way in my hands, I'll hold her for about 30 minutes or so before putting her away. I don't think a few times a week is excessive and it could actually be good for her because she's getting exercise, which I understand to be important in regulating their bowel movements.
She's never tried to bite me except for the first time I took her out of her shipping box. That being said, I've never been foolish enough to try to handle her after dark either. Sometimes walking by her cage in my room after dark will promote a thump on the side of her cage. If I get close enough, she sees me and is, in my opinion, ready to nail anything warm that moves. During the day though, she's a sleepy sweetheart.

owen.richards · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:27 PM

I would not recommend handling until at least a year old, they have very delicate spines, and as you know, are not handling animals, by then too they may develop their adult attitude, SO Personally I would recommend getting the adult. Also I wouldnt house em in something smaller then a 3X2X2, some people say 2X2X2, but they will take advantage of the space

pilot511 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 05:10 AM

yeah....the adult would be a good option but expensive with everything...So i was thinking about getting a small hatchling (yellow jayapura), seeing it change colors and keeping it in a 12x12x18 for a few months-a year...it was either that or a pair of black pine snakes...ive just always loved the green trees, i was just curious if any handling at all should be done under a year, and if they would all be very agressive at a year old/how to really tame it (if u can avoid being struck several times).

champz · #9 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 05:55 AM

i dont recommend handling gtp if they are still neonates coz there so fragile! i handled my gtp wen he got his true color! the green! it took me 18 months! but now i handle him twice a week! and if they are neonate there nippy! but wen they got older they become more docile!
hope this helps!

Malachi · #10 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 07:15 AM

biting and minimal handling VS an incredible living ornament and conversation piece? tough choice

budgie · #11 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 07:37 AM

thats not an aru,aru's have more white and blue in them.

pilot511 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi

biting and minimal handling VS an incredible living ornament and conversation piece? tough choice

Not sure I follow you?

I was told aru...maybe a docile biak then....I was told aru.

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