Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm thinking of purchasing a baby green tree python from a local pet store. He told me that they are not captive bred, but imports. He mentioned that they have all been treated for parasites.

I'm I taking a risk with this? As anyone had previous experience with imports versus captive bred? I would really appreciate you insight...

Thanks,

Peter F.

IMO, you should go with a well start CBB animal from a reputable dealer. You may pay more in the beginning, but you will save in the end. Just my $.02

-Bo

Hi, Peter -

Do you mean wild caught, or imported from a farm? My Jaya was born on a farm in Indonesia, especially for breeding GTP's and exporting them. He was not wild caught, but he was imported. I know there is a school of thought that a snake actually bred in the US is a superior one, but I couldn't ask for a nicer GTP than my Jaya! He is healthy, a great eater, beautiful and a nice temperament!! I do think locality is important - temperament is DEFINITELY important to me, as I wanted a pet, not just something to look at. So that's my little 2 cents worth - LOL!! Here'a nice pic of my guy for you to see

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Kathy, who apparently knows no limits in loving as many animals as possible!!

To answer your question, yes you are taking a risk...that does not mean that you are not taking a risk with a USA CB baby either...it is just a matter of deciding how much risk you want to take. What makes an import more risky is: Stress of capture if it is a WC, travel all around the world, then wholesaler, then pet store then travel to your place, then a new cage...it is a lot for a snake...Heavy parasite load due to less than ideal housing, and transport conditions, access to wild food, exposure to tropical diseases, lack of history (feeding, medical, treatment etc...) nobody really has spent time with the snake to ensure that he was healthy, unknown feeding etc etc the list is long. That does not mean that all import will die as soon as you get them, and some certainly do quite well if they are well taken care of and I am sure there are some good people exporting snakes out there...On the other hand, there are bad breeders in the states too...snakes that are unhealthy, mistreated, scam artists etc but if you do a bit of research you can find some very serious breeders (and I don't necessarily mean expensive although you have to expect to pay a bit more) and then you know exactly the history, health, feeding records of the snake you are buying..that does not guarantee that he will survive but you certainly have more chances of getting a healthy, less stressed baby.
I don't want to go into the moral issue too deeply but in my opinion, I can justify imports only to bring new blood to a breeding line or for the selection of specific criteria in a breeding line that exist only in WC animals...if I just want a GTP as a pet I'll go CBB only...just my personal opinion

Orthopode, excellent response, I heartily agree.... and I'm fairly new to the gtp also although lusted for over 30 years since I saw my very first one at the San Diego Zoo.

I have purchased both farmed and cbb and have been happy with all my purchases. It's important to quarantine, run fecals and watch health closely on any new pet irregardless of the source.

Nice Jaya, is it from Bushmaster? Got any full body shots? Bo

Thank you!! Jaya came from a very nice guy in CA, who has a friend over in Indonesia who carefully raises and picks the best animals to send him ... no, it's not Bushmaster, but I don't know the exporter's business name. Mike (in CA) had him for nearly a year, before offering him for sale. One look at this guy, and I was smitten!! I will include a better shot ...

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Kathy, who apparently knows no limits in loving as many animals as possible!!

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