My two are kept in a Boaphile condo cage and they both have one PVC perch that came with the cage, and one sandblasted grapevine (I'm pretty sure) chunk of wood that has several places to perch on in their cage. I have tried various other wood perches but this is what has worked best for me for the past 7 months or so. They seem to prefer the wood overall now that they're used to it, but neither would perch on it for a while when I first put it in the cage. I feel like the PVC that came with the Boaphile, 1/2" I want to say, is a bit on the larger side. It seems to me that chondros enjoy being on smaller perches overall. I think if they aren't stable enough to be on a very small perch they wouldn't perch on it, but I guess I would go by looks-- if they're twice the thickness of the branch that probably wouldn't be too good. I am just going off of what I think looks normal. Offering various sized perches probably could be ideal, and I do prefer the wood overall for both texture and look. 

Chondro's tend  to like a smaller perch  ( IMO)   The rule  of thumb  is  the perch  should be no larger then the snakes  body .. when perched  there  Coils  should touch at the botom of the perch ..   I use plastic coat hanger  for neo's  then  move up to  3/8" Pex tubing ,  yearlings  usualy  do well with 1/2" PVC   .. my biggest chondro's  are one 1"   PVC  ... I use scorched PVC  but you can use  Fresh cut sugar maple ,  acrylic rod  ,  HDPE  and any food grade plastic  rod  or  octagon  stock ..  sand blasted  grape vine  or manzinita  works also,  But I would seal it  .. there  are lots of debates  on perches  I guess it's  up to personal prefrence  and whats availible to you  

Most say the rule of thumb is a perch that is about the diameter of the snake. IMO, smaller is better than larger. My GTPs will normally always pick the smaller perch, when given the option. I've used PVC and wood for perches. If the perch is too small it break when the snake perches :) ... I think too large is a bigger problem. If the perch is too large, then the snake will not have a strong secure grasp on the perch and can fall off the perch when it strikes or is eating. This can lead to injury. So, I'd recommend leaning toward the smaller side. I think too large also may prevent the snake from properly regulating body temps., when a large amount of the body is in contact with the perch. I like to see a good amount of the body hanging under the perch, touching front to back.

This is a very good topic for anyone getting into chondros.  Over the last 4 years, Patrick and I (DFW Arboreals) have come across a few obvious signs from the animals themselves, proving certain perching preferences..

First off, the perch(es) need to be horizontally running across the cage, from hot to cool side, for proper thermal regulation.  Multiple perches are an additional comfort, but they will almost always choose the highest perch available. A good sign that the perch is inadequate would be the chondro grounding itself.   IMO 99% of the time a chondro is on the ground is due to poor perch selection, or extreme temperatures. The other 1% being due to stress, from, lets say an newly introduced male into a females enclosure for breeding (especially if you find out they are actually the same sex, ha).

In dealing with size, chondros love small perches.  By small, I mean the diameter of the perch being smaller, to significantly smaller that that of the snakes girth.  Fresh hatchlings are a slight exception to this.  In my adult enclosure, I have ½ inch and ¾ inch PVC to provide a bit of selection. Plastic hangers are great for the little ones, and can be used for some time.

The best materials for perches can vary.  PVC is easy to clean, and cheap, but it is pretty slick.  I have it in almost all my cages, but suggest using something to rough it up a bit.  Sand paper, heating and twisting it, or using a metal file to create traction will make it easier on the animals.  In almost every case, when provided a hard perch like PVC or bamboo, and a soft perch like the jungle vine stuff (forgot the name) they prefer the hard. Crepe Myrtle branches are awesome!!! And provide a more natural look.  Bamboo is great but can mold easily if the cage is not properly ventilated.

Vertical limbs are also a great addition, and you may be surprised how much they will use em. Especially any cross sections of vertical and horizontal, and also perpendicular horizontal ones….

i have many perches in all direction and angles. I use wood rods from home depot, he seems to like it. I always use no thicker than the width at largest spot

I just got my first set of babies in the other day. I have them in a quar tank and I am useing the Fluker's bamboo sticks... The skinny bar is ok, the thicker bar is getting replaced tomorrow. It's just too thick for young Aaron of iherp. (hehe)...

The only thing I could add, in my relatively brief chondro experience, smaller is definitely better,  if they can get a good "monkey tail" type grip, they will be more comfortable.  if they have to wrap 20% or more of their body to get one wrap around the perch, especially the little neo I have, s/he doesn't seem near as comfortable.  And my two definitely seem to like the perches that are a bit "rougher" or scuffed.  I found plastic plant stakes in the home depot gardening section in various diameters, going down to less than 1/8 inch, that my two really seem to like.  They have little textured bars on them. 

Great thread! I just got my first GTP wed. I also bought the bamboo fromn the gardening section at walmart. Its 1.18$ for whole bunch of them. I soldered holes in the plastic stuck them thru and then stabalized with tape. This weekend I plan on buying the post holders to keep branches up. How do you guys set up the branches to teh walls of the enclosures?

Diameter of the snake, and I've never had any issues with too large or too narrow a perch... Not that I'd recommend a 2000g female on a wire coat hanger, but also don't overthink it. :)

I agree with the majority here. And most certainly agree with the fact that perch selection varies greatly from keeper to keeper! 

Personally, I do not care for pvc....especially the burnt twisted pvc!!! However, for baby racks, not many options so I do have coat hanger style perches. And these I sand lightly. I use real branches in all other enclosures. No need to bake, boil, or seal. As long as you cut fresh, a good scrubbing is all you need to do. Many types will work. Hardwoods are great...such as maple and oak..crepe myrtles do seem to be the easiest to find closer to the ground for cutting. Obviously stay away from evergreens, and my other rule of thumb is, if it's sticky and sappy when cut...pick another type of tree!! 

I would stay away from other woods, such as bamboo or wooden dowels. These can mold or splinter. Attaching varies as well. Closet rod holders work very well. And I use aquarium sealant or silicone(window and door type). I've also taken some "box adaptors"(found in the electrical section at Lowe's) and cut a groove out of one out of the pair. These come in a few different sizes, so I prefer them when dealing with smaller branches. 

I'm also of a mind they prefer "smaller than you'd think" perches. They seem to feel more "secure", if you will, when able to have their coils touch together underneath the perch. But I do give them size choices. 

I guess I got a bit "off track" in telling you more about what I use than how to determine what's right!!!  I'd go more for slightly smaller than the snake diameter. If the size of the snake is at least twice that of the perch, time to up the width. 

What would you notice if size is "off"? You might not notice a thing! On rare occasions you might see them ground themselves or have feeding issues. 

Wow I think you just uleashed a flood with that one!

I believe chondros prefer perches the same or a little less then their own diameter/circumfrence.

Also most chondros will choose the top perch, I do have one that moves up and down though.

I take plastic PVC pipe, sand it with sandpaper to give it a rougher edge, and then torch it for texture and pattern.

They like stable strong perches, not ones that move or spin.

That's my experience.

Great thread thanks for the input..I was wondering this the other day.