Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those of you lucky enough to have ETB's, how are their tempers, in general? I think they are one of the most beautiful snakes, and while I understand that for the most part they arent the type of snake you handle every day, I would really like to be able to handle it once a week or so. i know it comes down to the individual as well, just wondering if anyone has some advice/experience for me. Not looking for a snake I have to be super careful around when its out.

Though I currently don't own an ETB, I would say this is not the snake for you. As you said you would not want to have to worry too much around it, well as I'm sure you've read they are often times agressive snakes with a large set of teeth. Good luck, and IMO their beauty makes it easily worth dealing with their agression and temper they sometimes have.
-----
Ike Lightner

1.3 BRB (Dugo, Roxy, Brazita, & Lucille)

I dont know if you know, but there are 2 "types" of ETBs:

1- Amazon Basin ETB: These are very calm snakes, I´d say its almost as easy to handle as a Ball Python.

2- Northern ETB: These are the most often seen, also cheaper and available as WCs. They are known to be more agressive than Amazon Basins, but it is common to see calm individuals, if bought as CBB babies.

In my point of view, some handling offers no harm to the snake, as long as you dont do it too often and for too long. I think you can handle it once a week, but for a short time, like 15 to 20 minutes (if it hasnt eaten in the past 5 or 6 days). I think it also depends on the individual snake. Just give it some time to acclimatize, make sure it is eating well, then you can make your own experiences. But you cannot brake these rules too much, they are really not the ideal snake to handle often.

Also: buy strictly captive bred and born.

I would agree, A ETB is probably not the best snake for you. They are very beautiful snakes, but they can be angry alot of the time. If you do decide to get one make sure you get a CBB. You are much better off that way. When you go in to hold the snake make sure you do not grab the snake. Slowly, from the bottom of the snake, lift it off of its perch.

Good Luck!
Kyle with ALL ABOUT REPTILES
www.freewebs.com/kyleherp/

I have two ETB's and they are friendly as can be. One is CBB and I believe the other is a long term captive. If you you see some for sale that you can handle just try them out. I've seen nasty ones and nice ones.

Thanks guys, good advice! It was along the lines of what I was thinking, and as i really like to be able to handle my snakes often, an ETB probably isnt for me...
maybe one day in the future when i have plenty of other snakes to play with!

Madagascar Tree Boas are great arboreals that you can handle every day. They are also much easier to maintain than the South American arboreals.

Doug T

Personally, it wouldn't be worth the potential nerve/tendon damage if bit in the wrong place, whether "tame" or not. I would assume you've never seen Emerald dentition?
-----
South Central Herpetological

I always wanted an ETB... always. You are right, they are absolutely beautiful.

But I did not rush into it. I waited till I felt I had enough experience and knowledge before I bought one of my own (Her name is Madeline, she was my 20-something snake). Assuming your a regular-Joe like me who cannot afford an Amazon Basin ETB and instead going for a Northern ETB, I do not want to tell you to not get one "because it is not the snake for you," as I was told so many times when I asked questions concerning their temperament. I will tell you to use your better judgment before investing in one, because they are more aggressive snakes by nature. Be honest with yourself when you ask yourself if you can handle it.

Madeline is my most vicious snake, and I own an array of snakes from cobras to boas to burms (her teeth are so long, she bit the back of my hand once and got stuck -- it was a ten minute project trying to pry her out without breaking teeth). However, I don't want this to discourage you, because I do not regret her. I was told by many that neonates, they are much nippier, and it isn't till about when they're a year-old that you can really start working with them. I have no evidence to prove this is true, but I do believe it. I got Madeline when she was pure red as I want to experience her color change, as many people do.

Now she is about half red/half green and still vicious, but I feel my efforts have impacted her. Maybe its because I am able predict her better... maybe its not necessarily a temperament change. However, I do think any snake/ETB is tamable with the right amount of time (not too much, not too little), with a lot of patience, no fear but respect, while being smart/responsible about it. I expect Madeline will never really be my little necklace-snake because I think that is just her personality. I've seen incredibly mean ETBs, but I have also seen incredible friendly ETBs. I think it is a mix of what is integrated as them (what makes them an individual) and their human-interaction experience that decides this. My snake is not one of the friendly ones, and I think you should be prepared for this.

If you do decide to go for it, get a CBB -- you'll be way better off that way, and start young. Don't give up, cuz like I said it might take a year or more for them to loose some of their aggression, or at least for you to get used to it. I started off with a hook as a baby, that way she could get used to be handled more with less blood, LoL. Keep the interactions short. Eventually you'll work up to using just your hands. Just make sure you truely believe you're making a smart decision in getting your ETB and make sure you feel ready.

Cuz I agree with Ike: "their beauty makes it easily worth dealing with their agression and temper they sometimes have."

ALL MY OPINION. PLEASE DON'T BASH ME. I am no expert and I recognize this.
-----
Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)