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I purchased a gtp listed as wamena type in daytona 8/03. this animal seemed unique in that it was about twice the size of the many neonates, though it still had its juvie colors (just about everything there was a neonate or young adult w/ color change already in place). Three q's 1) I estimated the animal to be approx 18''-- about how old at time of my purchase? 2)why so much bigger (older?) than the many other neonates 3) about how old when the greens start to emerge (not that i'm in a hurry)? thanks

Was it from the same clutch as the other 3??you will find that some from a clutch will grow quicker due to feeding sooner and more readily.Also its difficult to predict age when it comes down to length again to the reasons listed above but i have a 18inch biak thats 8mths old, Again colour change depends on the individual and locality biaks generaly take longer to change to full adult colours then arus, some can change colour as early as 4 or 5 mths some well over a year its a waiting game!some change basically over night, some may develop colours very slowy over time. Good luck.

Okay, I will answer your questions the best I can, but I will be asking a few others...

No real good way to judge age based on the snake's length. Weight is usually a better way to determine the real size and possible growth rate of a chondro. I currently have an animal in my collection that is over a year old and only about 16 inches long, but have two other animals that are only 5 months old and pushing what looks like 20 inches. The two larger and younger ones are from the same clutch, and the other older one is not related to them at all. Some just grow at different rates.

Color change is the kind of the same way. It will be different for different animals, and will vary even within the same clutch with some starting the change sooner than others. But generally speaking, color change seems to go into full swing at around a year of age, but of course this can vary quite a bit between individual animals and even different color morphs(Biaks for example may take several years and go through several different color phases before finishing).

Are you sure your "wamena" came from the same clutch as the others offered for sale? Also, I don't say this to be mean, but are you sure yours is in fact a wamena-type? I have seen many red juvenile Biak-types being marketed as "Wamenas" as of late. I am not sure of the reasoning why someone would do this, but possibly the wamena-type has become more desirable as of late.

Best of luck with your new snake! And plan on posting any pictures soon?

I picked up my "wamena"listed gtp in daytona from ben siegal reptiles -- not a gtp specialist but pretty reputable i believe. In my shopping frenzy (I scanned every table for gtp's in less than 90 min's, then relaxed later) I neglected to ask the age. Two "wamenas" and a "lereh" were also there. I'd be thoroughly surprised if mine is from same "wamena" batch, significantly bigger. This was the only snake I found in that first 90 min's of intense NRBE scanning that had been separated from others at a table and increased in price ($850 vs $500) because of its size and extra bold juvie patterning. Very happy I was and am with my purchase. If its a "biak" rather than "wamena" type, oh well. I'm stuck with a beautiful "biak." Guess I'll find out in a year or so, and that's part of the fun. As for a picture, I'm not a techno guy, but I do teach in a high school and will ask my tech ed neighbor for some assistance. Thanks for responding.