Husbandry of Adult Chondros
I highly recommend Greg Maxwell's "The More Complete Chondro" for anybody interested in green tree pythons, especially those interested in purchasing a green tree python. This husbandry page is not in-depth and mainly outlines how I house and care for my adult chondros. If you have more specific questions, the ChondroForum message boards are an excellent source or information, or you can contact me directly.
My adults are housed in Greg Maxwell style cages that I build myself. They are made out of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) with yellow pine fronts and the dimensions are 36"L x 24"H x 24"D.
I maintain a heat gradient of 86-88F (30-31C) under the heat panel to the mid-70's F (24C) on the opposite end of the cage. I do not drop temperatures at night unless I am cycling my adults. I use both Helix and ProPanel heat panels with Helix or Herpstat thermostat controllers. I prefer real wood branches in my adults' cages but I have not had shedding problems using the smoother PVC perches. As with younger chondros, it's best to try and match the diameter of your branches to the diameter of the snake's girth. Sometimes chondros choose to sit on the floor of their cage, so check to make sure your temperatures are okay and that everything else is normal, and then just wait for them to decide to go back up on a perch.
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Chondros are sensitive to change so I try not to switch cages on an adult chondro that seems to be happy as this can be a very stressful situation for any age chondro. Even during breeding season, I will cycle my adults in their own cages and move the male into the female's cage when the time is right.
Adult chondros enjoy wading in their water bowls and they usually enjoy larger sized bowls but keep in mind that they need to have refreshed, clean water often. It's not unusual to observe adult chondros stretching straight down to their water bowl a few minutes after the lights go out. I try and spray down my adult cages before the lights go out to avoid random strikes at the water. While chondros don't seem to enjoy being sprayed directly, very often they will drink from the water droplets on their body. I will spray my adults directly several times a week to make sure they are well hydrated. Keeping chondros well hydrated is especially important when they are in shed.
I always increase how often I spray down cages of chondros that are in shed. My adult chondros average a shed every three to four months and typically take about a week and a half to complete a shed cycle.
My adults defecate on average every three to five weeks. Adults do not defecate after each meal and a keeper should not wait to feed an adult chondro until after a defecation. I will skip or delay a meal if they appear "full" near their cloaca and need to defecate.
I feed my adults every 10-14 days. They will beg for food more often than this but a fat chondro is not a healthy chondro. I feed rats or mice depending on the snake's preference and size. I try and feed a meal that leaves a noticeable lump for a day or two. It's important to increase the snake's meal size as needed to develop jaw muscles so you don't end up with a large bodied snake with a small head.
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Male chondros can start going off food for months at a time starting about the time they begin to reach maturity. It's not unusual for my males to go off food for six months out of the year. Monitor their weight and activity level but don't worry too much because they typically go back on food when they are good and ready. Sometimes offering fresh killed or mice instead of rats (or visa versa) will help encourage them back onto food. I also have a male that will start back on food by eating during the day for his first feed after a fast. Sometimes chondros go off food and refuse to start eating again. I recommending seeking a vet's opinion if you suspect something unusual but sometimes chondros have to be "reminded" to eat and assist feeding a small meal is enough to jump start their digestive system and get them eating on their own again.
Owning one of these beautiful snakes really is a special blessing. They are interactive characters that are a joy to just sit and watch. They deserve the best care possible from their keeper. It's important to know a vet in your area that can help you but you should also educate yourself in case your vet does not have much hands-on experience specifically with chondros. Chondros are sensitive animals and can stress easily and come down quickly with an illness so spend time learning what is normal for your snake. Take the time to set your chondros up properly with the right equipment and you should have many years of enjoyment with your chondros. Yes, I said chondros plural because you can't have just one! |
