Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is this pretty much true for this locale? Other than health, my most important desired trait in one of these beauties is a docile temperament. I think they are all beautiful so color isn't nearly as important as being able to handle it from time to time without fear of the fangs.
I know that each animal is different, but any advice on a locale that is 'most docile' would be appreciated.
I've read that Sorongs fit that category but would like to hear more true experiences.
Thanks

IMHE, the Aru locale and the mainland (Sorong/Jayapura) are equally sweet docile natured gtps. My Meraukes and those that I've met have also been very nice tempered. There is always going to be an exception to the rule, but most chondroheads would pretty much agree with this.

If looking for a docile gtp, the main locale type to NOT purchase is the biaks, the majority of them are temperamental, and quite a few of the highland (Wamena, etc) can be feisty too.

I don't have experience with the Canary/Kofaiu locale types but hear that they are very sweet too.

Thank you very much. Do the aru have a nice coloration as adults? I can't seem to find any pics of the adult aru variety.

This is a juvie aru captive bred typical aru type. They will get a little more white as they mature but the captive bred arus have never matched up to some of the high white on the wild caught cousins.

The second one is a mature female aru...... and my very first gtp purchase I ever made. She's a great girl and has never struck out at us once since we got her!! Pretty big girl too at almost 2k gms!!

My Sorong is the most docile of any of my snakes and that includes my cornsnakes. The Jaya I have is also quite tame. One of the Biaks is very tame the other I nicknamed Satan's Spawn. The Aru I'm getting is supposed to be quite tame also. This is a picture of my Sorong, Tempest taking a nap on my hand. She'll hang out on the couch with you too, just resting her head on your chest while you pet her. She's really extraordinary!

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1.0~amel corn~C.S.
1.4~Aztec Okeetee corns~Coatl,Maya,Acatl,Tepin,Minuet
1.0~Zigzag Bubblegum~Bazooka Joe
0.1~Neon het motley~Lumiere
1.0~Lav het motley/hypo~Storm
1.1.2~Green tree python~Whisper, Tempest, Surprise,Fuego
0.2~Rhodesian Ridgebacks~Akilah, Ona
0.1~Old black Lab~ Callie (RIP)
2.0~fat cats~Topper, Briscoe
3.0~Horses~Zaarah,Galliano,Achilles.....
www.franclycac.com

That is a beauty!

Not the best picture of her, but we were by the computer and the light wasn't the best. She's probably my favorite snake in my collection. Here's a little better picture of her that I took in her viv one evening.

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1.0~amel corn~C.S.
1.4~Aztec Okeetee corns~Coatl,Maya,Acatl,Tepin,Minuet
1.0~Zigzag Bubblegum~Bazooka Joe
0.1~Neon het motley~Lumiere
1.0~Lav het motley/hypo~Storm
1.1.2~Green tree python~Whisper, Tempest, Surprise,Fuego
0.2~Rhodesian Ridgebacks~Akilah, Ona
0.1~Old black Lab~ Callie (RIP)
2.0~fat cats~Topper, Briscoe
3.0~Horses~Zaarah,Galliano,Achilles.....
www.franclycac.com

Buying a USCB animal is the most important factor in obtaining an animal that is calm.
In terms of locales, I have Biaks that are among my tamest chondros (I have others that are not quite so friendly). Yes, Biaks IME do have a penchant for the dramatic more often that other locales, but again USCB is the single most important component (other than good husbandry).

Good luck, have fun!
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Ben Team
Mark Davis
New Paradigm Herpetoculture
Captive Bred Morelia
404-438-2135
chondro776@yahoo.com