Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I was an avid reptile keeper for about 11 years then I ended up basically dropping the hobby besides taking care of my 13 year old Ball Python. I am going to come back and start with a species that was a "dream" species of mine so I looked at the Diamond Python and GTP's

I have decided on the GTP's. Here is what I need from you people I want to use glass, are those Exo Terra cages OK ( I can get one around the corner from my house, My wife likes to look at the snakes and she won't let me keep a tub in the den. Heating, are we still using mostly bulbs or should I go 60 - 75 watt ceramic? Give me all the heating options a person would use that doesn't stress out about every little thing ( I want a neat, efficent set up, not 4 different bulbs an under tank heater, a hot rock, two probed thermostats and an elf.)

Do they do 12 hour on 12 hour off light cycles with a switch up in winter ? Or is this bad? I'll mist by hand and all that. What about a tuft spag moss on the bottom of the cage? My (Leiopython and curtus) used to love that stuff but they were terrestrial? Fill me in.

Those tanks are nice, but they require a lot of mods to work out. They are not very good at holding humidity. In fact your tubs would be wiser to use then that style tank I would have to say. Temps are a must with these guys as well as humidity, so anyway you can heat the enclosure to high 80s and keep it humid is fine, but its not an easy task to do. The best way to heat is a radiant heat panel, it can go right inside the enclosure and puts off a "penatrating" heat, a bit of a price (I payed 120 for a 55w that heats a 2x2x3 pvc tank) but well worth it. Then all you need is a controller and you're all set. I can't say as overhead lighting is the way to go with these guys.

Got my heat panel here - www.pro-products.com
and used this controller - http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287

One more thing, undertank heating is pointless with GTPs.

Lots of keepers use them to help with ambient temps... I dont think i would call them pointless. But they need to be used in conjunction with heat from above (side or back)
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Julian Garcia
Chondros Exquisite
Seattle,WA

This is true, I have used undertank in the winter months, I take back my prev. statement. BUT dont rely on this ALONE for an arboreal species.

Thanks for the info. I live in south Florida so keep in mind that the room temp. that I am going to keep my snake in is 76-78F before heating on a normal day. I generally wanted a glass tank for display purposes I can just as easily purchase a display cage. I will definetly look into the heat plate. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZAy1I1V2NI - video
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Julian Garcia
Chondros Exquisite
Seattle,WA

Chondros have different cage requirements depending on their age. For a neonate, a big showy glass cage is almost always a very bad idea. Humidity control is critical and almost always difficult to maintain in these types of enclosures. What we have learned is that baby chondros do best in small opaque tubs. Your first priority is not show-casing the animal, but rather keeping it healthy and alive. Until they are about a year old, neonates are rather delicate snakes and keepers have to pay attention to small details.

Also keep in mind that neonates and animals not well-established would benefit by being located in a rather quiet and less traveled area of the home.

If you are talking about adults or sub-adults, then after getting them established, they can be kept in show cages. There are a few animals that would remain too nervous, but the majority would adopt well.

I would also recommend you get a copy of G. Maxwell’s book, The Complete Chondro. Lots of good info there.