Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am thinking on getting a GTP sometime in the next month at a show and they only sell baby Biaks and I hear they are quite aggressive. Is there any way to "tame" them down before they get adult size?

You'll be better off finding a good breeder that will provide a quality animal and after sale support. As you mentioned the imported baby Biaks are usually aggressive (at least at the start) and will most likely have a variety of internal parasites. That "cheap" animal may not be such a deal in the long run. As for handling most GTP's can be handled but it will take time. Follow the link to an article that I wrote for Reptiles Magazine several years ago. It will give you some pointers.

Rico Walder
Signal Herpetoculture

Why Be Bitten article

Listen to Rico. he is the most prolific breeder of high quality CBB GTPs and ETBs in the world. I have 2 ETBs from Rico and have been perfect from the first day as far as feeding/defecating/temperament...check out his website.
BTW, all of my ETBs and GTPs can be handle day or night (although at night you need to remind them you are not food).
Norm

There's no way to be certain of your gtp's behavior but to try to prevent aggressiveness later in life handle your baby often.