Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i'm considering getting a green tree python. i've got experience with reptiles, as i've had a ball python and a kingsnake. i've been told that yearlings are easier to acclimate to handling (for cage cleaning purposes). is that true? what are some other pros/cons to tree pythons. any sites to recommend for some reading? thanks for any information!

>>i'm considering getting a green tree python. i've got experience with reptiles, as i've had a ball python and a kingsnake. i've been told that yearlings are easier to acclimate to handling (for cage cleaning purposes). is that true? what are some other pros/cons to tree pythons. any sites to recommend for some reading? thanks for any information!

Yearlings acclimate to handling because it is not wise to handle them any younger than that. It also seems if they are going to calm down, they usually start around that age.....some do, some don't. Just be sure to use removable perches so you are not pulling them off a perch for routine maintanance. Start slow and go from there.

The only con I can think of with chondros is wanting more and more and more and more. Did I mention wanting more? You WILL want more. Google morelia viridis and see where that takes you or you can email me and I can steer you to some informative sites.

Good luck.
Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Ok I have 15 minutes so....

Lets talk. My biggest fear when buying my first Green Tree python was the misconception that they are ALL maniacs, not simply nippy but ANGRY! I have five now and it's the farthest thing from the truth. They are pretty tame snakes. What I have learned is

1. No other snake sleeps like the dead than a chondro. So watch how you startle them.

2. Know your chondro body language!

3. No other snake appreciates respect and handling on it's own terms than a chondro (Don't manhandle.)

They are very rewarding/interesting snakes to work with and easily the most fun I have had with a boid.

As far as buying your first chondro. A removable perch of suitable size is a must. Proper humidity is very, very important. If you have or can get a rack 6, 12 or 20qt DO IT! I have found they acclimate super well in racks, it's easy to manage temperture and humidity and they really appreciate the security a rack provides and you will want more! I know they are expensive and when I bought my racks I was biting my knuckles.

As far as what to buy. With 10 minutes of research you will run into two camps.

USCBB - These are your US breeders with a good reputation. You will get a guaranteed, healthy, well adjusted feeding animal. The only problem I encountered with some of these people is they are completley out of step with the first time buyer and often offer $1000 and waayyy up thoroughbred chondros. Look on the Morelia Viridis Forum Classifed and you will find some reasonably priced gems if that is what you desire. Also do not be shy in letting them know you are looking for a "pet" or calm chondro, they will hand pick one for you based on temperment.

Bushmaster Stock - These are CB farmed animals (the facility is beautiful.) They breed different locality types and locality crosses. The snakes are usually healthy but simply because of the water quality and the prey items they use to get some neonates started you run a slight risk of getting a baby chondro with internal parasites (worms). That is the only downside to them really. You won't get much after sale assistance if you buy a BM neonate from a broker or a petstore and you need to be more careful and really verify with the seller that a BM neonate is eating well. Overall they are robust and healthy animals though.

As far as locality if you have a specific question I will try to answer it. Overall locality animals have suffered a downturn in popularity in the U.S.

Later, Good Luck.

>>Bushmaster Stock - These are CB farmed animals (the facility is beautiful.) They breed different locality types and locality crosses. The snakes are usually healthy but simply because of the water quality and the prey items they use to get some neonates started you run a slight risk of getting a baby chondro with internal parasites (worms). That is the only downside to them really. You won't get much after sale assistance if you buy a BM neonate from a broker or a petstore and you need to be more careful and really verify with the seller that a BM neonate is eating well. Overall they are robust and healthy animals though.

The only problem with this is, not all imports are Bushmaster. There are many import animals listed in classifieds that are WC passed off as BM, as well as other "farms" located in Indonesia. The only other side effect of imports is SDS(Sudden Death Syndrome). This usually happens to seemingly healthy animals around 2 years old. The cause is unknown. It can happen in CBB animals, but is very rare. I'm sure there are many CBB animals available at slightly more than import prices. Just look around.

Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

"The only problem with this is, not all imports are Bushmaster. There are many import animals listed in classifieds that are WC passed off as BM, as well as other "farms" located in Indonesia." - TRUE, Very True, This is important for impulse buys and people looking for 199.99 chondros. I expected the buyer would do extensive research on the sellers reputation and the snake which isn't always the case.

I'm sure there are many CBB animals available at slightly more than import prices. Just look around.- ALSO TRUE

Brandon Osborne