Good starter Arboreal???

hostensteffa · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 10:58 AM

Just wondering what would be a really good starter arboreal snake. I'm fairly new to the snake world but am really interested in this particular type. I plan on getting an Emerald sometime in the future (next year or two) and will gladly admit that i'm nowhere ready. I've been reading up and doing my research and am aware that they generally are a display snake and don't seem to be a "handler" snake. Are there any particular arb's that are decent snakes to be handled and would be good for a beginner???? Thanks in advance.
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Bry · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 12:02 PM

Okay, you say you've done your research, which is good. Due to being closely related and from the same range, an amazon tree boa is a good snake to work with prior to getting an Emerald in order to get the hang of husbandry requirements. However, I would not recommend them as a starter arboreal snake. They are notorious for their aggressive temperaments. There are a few that are quite tame and handleable, but they are not the norm (unless they came from Brett's house). Although not AS sensitive to husbandry mistakes as Emeralds, Amazons are still somewhat sensitive to these mistakes.

In my opinion, a good starter arboreal would be a carpet python. I recommend jungles or Irian Jayas, the other carpets get considerably larger. They can be somewhat nippy when young, but with handling, they generally grow out of it with age. From what I've seen, I think it's more of a 50/50 chance that you end up with a nippy or tame baby. Carpets can be somewhat picky feeders when young also, but they usually grow out of it and become pigs. Again I think it's a 50/50 toss-up that you end up with a baby that's picky. Carpets also tend to prefer mice over rats. So, when they grow large enough for pinky rats, start working on switching them to rats. Feeding a 7' carpet python mice will get expensive. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] As for husbandry, they can thrive under similar conditions that you'd keep a BCI in. They also seem less sensitive to husbandry mistakes than Amazons. If you can get past the nippy behavior of carpets, they are awesome snakes. Jungles get to about 6'-7' on average, and Irian Jayas average 4'-5'. I've also heard that jungles tend to be more nippy than the other carpets. However, I don't know how much of that is true. I had a very nippy jungle, and now at 3 years old, she is starting to calm down quite a lot and eats anything in sight.

Here is mine, she is 3 years old and approx. 5'- 5 1/2'. Morti and LdyDrgn have an Irian Jaya (here's your cue to post a pic). [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bry

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hostensteffa · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 12:09 PM

Yeah i've actually seen ldydrgn's and morti's. Storm which lives with them is a good friend of mine and is actually who got me into reptile in general. Actually it is this strange fascination with morti's emmy that made me want one. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I never really thought too much about the pythons, i'll have to take a look into those.
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Bry · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 12:23 PM

Strange fascination? Naw...ain't nothing strange about it. Emeralds are awesome snakes. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Bry
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LdyDrgn · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2003, 10:58 PM

Hey Josh. Come on over when you have time. If you come tonight, bring a pound of hamburger and some buns (Sam, Shannon, Gib and Amy will be here). We'll pull out all the arboreals and let you get a "hands-on" experience so you can better make a decision [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

You know you are welcome here anytime! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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hostensteffa · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 03:30 AM

Actually i'm at work tonight [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] but me and Sam were talking about doing some role-playing sometime this week, probably thursday. I'd still be more than happy to bring some burger and all. I can pay for dinner for once. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] After reading Bry's reply, I took a look at the Irian's and the Regular ol carpets. I've been reading up on the two most of the day and am kind of taking a liking to the Irian. I've also been looking at the Ammie's but they seem to be a little bit aggressive, but I think I could get around that. So i'll just take a gander thurday and see what I like I guess and get your opinion. I don't plan on getting anything yet but it never hurts to get a head start on the learning process. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Bry · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 09:00 AM

Lucky you, I didn't even know anyone with snakes, other than reptile stores, that I could've met with when I started to get into snakes. But it's all good now. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Irians are pretty sweet, I want to get one myself.

Bry
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Stormyva · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2003, 03:55 PM

I am not going to try and give any more info to you.... with the morti/ladydrgn clan you are going to get more than you could ever need [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
I will say that Bry made a great recommendation on the carpets. My Irian Jaya is sweet and docile as can be and is a garbage disposal. It will eat anything and has only once refused a meal while he was "blue"
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