Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a new user to this site, although I have been browsing it for a long time. I have been doing a lot of research on GTPs for a couple years now, on and off, and am now ready to purchase my first chondro. The small enclosure should be arriving today, and then its just a matter of finding the right snake for me.

I am looking for some recommendations for where I should purchase my snakes from. Signal Herp seems to have some nice specimens, and there are always some nice snakes in the classified area.

any help would be greatly appreciated and advise for when I get my first GTP too. thanks

This is a sticky subject for this particular forum. Once people start posting who has what available, and who they recommend, the mods will delete this thread because the posts will cross the line of becoming an advertisement (which you must pay a fee to do here). Sending you an email.

Bart

Sorry about that and I understand. maybe we could leave this post to asking advise on the perfect setup for a GTP enclosure

Don't apologize. I see nothing wrong with what you are asking or with providing you with the names of some very good breeders, its just that the mods here are a bit "touchy" about that sort of thing.

Regarding setups, it depends on the animal's size. Personally, I suggest rubbermaid or sterlite tubs until the animal is 2 to 3 years old when it can be moved into an adult enclosure. I would not waste a lot of money on a setup it will eventually grow out of. Besides, you will need your money for a good thermostat (a must have, IMO).

Bart

oh ok, i have an enclosure i ordered. it came today, it has heat, and then I ordered a control for it for like $30. i dont think thats even a thermostat, it might just be a timer, but im not sure. how much money does a good thermostat cost usually?

Where did you get your enclosure? You want to avoid any enclosures with screen tops because it is not possible to maintain humidity in them without restricted much of the air flow.

Sounds like you bought a rheostat which can work in a pinch but does not regulate temps. You typically need to adjust it periodically and monitor the temps with a good thermometer. T-stats can run you about $110 or more for a good proportional unit. I recommend Herpstat myself but have also heard good things about the Helix units.

I also have a Johnson Controls unit which only cost me $50. I had to wire the unit myself for this price. This type of t-stat is not proportional, so there is a tempature fluctuation between on and off which can usually be 2-3 degrees. Insignificant, IMO, when using it in adult cages but I, personally, would not use it in a neonate tub or rack.

Like I mentioned previously, t-stats are going to run a pretty penny and should be considered your first major purchase, aside from the animal itself. Wait until the animal is older before investing a lot in a cage.

Bart

what I got is a thermostat. so i guess now i also need a timer, correct? how many hours should the heat be on each day, 12 hrs. all the time?

the enclosure i got is made by Jim Scharphorn. the are 16qrt. tubs with small perches. i actually custom made larger perches in one of them for a little bit larger snake. the perches he sent are quite small.

i need to make some vent holes, wondering approx. how many to punch in?

also i used aquarium sealant for the custom made perches, I am hoping that should be alright and safe for the animal? thats what the stuff is made for.

The heat should be on all the time. They require 85 degree warm and about 80-82 cool side. The cages sound good, but if you're getting a hatchling, the smaller perches will be o.k. They are quite small at 4-6 months old and the perches shouldn't be larger than the animal is around. Have you gotten Greg Maxwell's book, the More Complete Chondro? I recommend it for research as it would answer most of your husbandry questions in it.
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4.5~Cornsnakes
1.2.2~Green tree python
1.0~ATB
Dogs, cats, horses....
www.franclycac.com

yea I plan on ordering the book very soon. They dont have it at local book stores right? I see it on ebay and other websites. I plan on reading it all before I actually have a GTP in my possession.

Or you can order directly off of Greg's site if you want.
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4.5~Cornsnakes
1.2.2~Green tree python
1.0~ATB
Dogs, cats, horses....
www.franclycac.com