Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have only kept Ratsnakes and Kingsnakes over the years and am thinking of finally getting an ETB.

What advice can you all give me on caging, heating, substrate and general care? Are they aggressive snakes? Are they expensive? How easy is it to find a young one?

I was planning on getting one at the Herp Expo in Houston in Sept and wanted to start assembling a cage if they are in my price range.

Thanks for any help.

Well, you ask a lot...but it's good you do so before aquiring an ETB. Much of the information you seek can found on various Websites. I suggest you start with thecarniverousorchid.com for a most excellent introduction to the species and its care. Oh, and by the way, they are as cool as they look!

that I can't spell. Its "carnivorous"

Thanks for the link...going there now...

damn, If those are the prices that I can expect to pay, then this snake is out of my range...I was only looking to spend about $200-250...

If you are not buying from an actual emerald breeder, then more than likely you are looking at WC animals. You can pay the $200.00 to $250.00, but you will likely be paying more in vet bills to try and get the snake "right", if possible. In my experience, good wc are few and far between. Save up your money and buy a cbb animal.

Craig

Amen to that Craig! Perhaps more than any other snake, you get what you pay for with ETBs. I'm not a fan of paying a lot for status' sake, but I am willing to pay in order to get what I want. It may be that the quality of wild-caught animals is improving...I haven't heard the horror stories for many months, but...I am not willing to risk it.
Bill