Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently been offered an extremely good deal on my choice of 3 baby chondros. Only one. I am set-up for one. I have everything I need (including Greg Maxwell's book, which is amazing), but I have a kid in the house. I know I can say, "Dont touch daddies snake." all I want, but he'll still try. This is why want to know (I know it depends on the individual snake) which of these 3 localitys "usually" has the most docile temperment as adults.

- Jayapura
- Sorong
- Biak

Those are the 3 localities I am allowed to pick 1 baby from. I have always dreamed of getting a GTP, but have never been able to afford it. Now I can, so I'm pouncing on it. I just need your opinion.

thanks very much

**sorry for the long post**

First, I have to ask, how do you know for sure these are "true" locality animals? I would guess that about 60% of imports that came in this year looked more like biaks than anything. Not saying they were all biak types, but a few people I know were sold aru, sarong, and jaya type chondros, that ended up being biaks with somewhat nasty attitudes.

It all depends on what your needs are and who you are getting the animals from. How old is your child? I would say that most chondros are going to react in the same way, if a child were to "grab" ahold of it.

IF the locality animals you mention are true locality, I would go for the sarong or jaya. Although there are good and bad with any locality type, biaks tend to take to the snappy side in most cases. I would ask the breeder what the individual animals' personalities are like and go from there. You can always get a cage with a secure keyed lock to prevent any accidents. Good luck and enjoy.

Brandon Osborne

my kid is 5 years old. Of course I would have a locked cage, but my wife would want me to "educate" him, also known as, "Show him the damn snake or I'll cut you off." I was leaning towards the Jayapura baby. I've held all 3, and "he" seemed the calmest.

Thanks for your help

Well I don't have my chondro yet...still one more payment...but from what i've been told a cohondro is not a snake that is one to be held a lot - like a rat snake or corn snake. You can still educate your son well by looking at him, but especially as a baby - i do know this much for sure - you do not want to handle them due to such a fragile spine. a typical neonate snake has spinal bones around the size of a pencil lead, and a neonate chondro is not anywhere near that size.

If you are interested in teaching your son the handling of snakes - which I am all for don't get me wrong - i would highly reccomend to get a rat snake (in addition to your chondro of course lol). Let him know that daddy's green snake is for looking at only, but he can handle the other one while supervised and all. That's what i'd do.

and if you have any questions about corns or rats I can go into excruciatingly long detail on all of that...temperments, eating habits, everything you could ever know and then some
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

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Good point, I myself handle mine on a weekly basis, being observant to stress. I have a 6 month old Sorong type which I have had for 2 months and I do handle him. I let him remove himself from the perch and gently let him just explore my hands. I am so gentle that my hands shake while working with him, done like this I think there is no harm. But where there is a small child involved I think there is much concern for trouble. Even with a larger specimen one needs to move slowly around them as they can be nervous. Young children, being what they are tend to get excited and thrash around a bit. This being the case, maybe this snake should be explained as a look don't touch sort of situation or at the very least brought out when the child is in a calmer state of mind. Or work with the snake after the little one has been put to bed so he doesn't feel left out. Clint

My experience with chondro's is very limited, I have a baby Jayapura that is very easy going, and has never attempted to strike at me yet. He also eats like a argus monitor. I believe there are some good dealers out there that are mostly honest about what they sell. Do your research and good luck.

Landgator