new IJ, few questions

[Aanayab1]

I finally gave in a put my deposit on a female IJ. I've read and read about the morelia species and decided a carpet would be the best for me. I will be picking her up in two weeks. The reason for the delay is I want to be sure to have everything setup properly in the enclosure. I will be starting out with a 12x12x18 or 12x12x12. I'll black out all sides other than the front panel. then building a 36"x24"x24" for the adult enclosure.

Questions for the experienced...
1) best thing to use for heat source
2) starter feeding schedule
3) how long to let her acclimate before handling

Those three questions are because I've read a lot of different answers with no consistency. I am open for any and all input. I just want the best for her.

thanks in advance
Antonio

[franks]

Hey Antonio:

1) I use a low wattage under tank heater in tandem with a low wattage heat bulb. I like the bulb because it encourages the python to climb and perch on display. Just keep an eye on your humidity and spot check your surface temps to make sure you are not drying out your enclosure, or overheating a basking spot.

2) I prefer larger meals every 10 days or so. I pretty much let my IJ determine when she eats. I believe is it important to start straight with rats and keep it on rats. They can prefer and get hooked on mice if you offer, and rats will be much easier to feed to a full grown.

3) I would make sure she is eating rats for you and taking a few meals before handling. There is no rush with handling, the older and larger they get, the calmer they (generally) get.

[Aanayab1]

Thanks.
About # two, you mean by letting yours determine. Learning its behavior and watching for signs is how you judge when to feed?

[Mikoh4792]

I use undertank heaters with radiant heat panels. I rarely see my carpets use the belly heat. You can see every single one of them under the radiant heat panel during the day. They like to perch on things.

I feed my youngins once every 7-10 days. I like to switch it up from time to time.

I usually handle them after the first time they've eaten for me. Which is around a few days to a week after arrival.

[HoldenC]

What kind of enclosure are you using? How old is she?

[franks]

Thanks.
About # two, you mean by letting yours determine. Learning its behavior and watching for signs is how you judge when to feed?

Yes, I let the behavior determine when I feed. Sometimes it takes her longer to digest than others. She has a distinct "hunting mode" that is very obvious to observe. When she starts hunting, I will wait 2-3 days, then feed. This is generally between 10-14 days when offered larger prey.

[shaunyboy]

imo you would be better building a 4x2x2ft tank for your Irian,as imo that size will do it all its life

re heat source
imo the easiest and best would be a non light emmiting ceranmic bulb,a bulb guard and a thermostat


re feeding
i only offer rats to my carpets,as when they are on mice,sometimes the older the snake gets the harder it can be to switch them over from mice to rats,and it takes an aweful lot of mice to feed an adult carpet



i feed every 7 days until they reach sub adult hood,when i feed larger prey less opften (every 2 to 3 weeks)


re handling
i would wait until they are feeding regular,4 or 5 feeds in a row


cheers shaun

[Aanayab1]

HoldenC: Haven't came to a concrete decision on the temporary baby/juvenile enclosure yet. I'm debating 12x12x12, 12x12x18 exoterra's only because I want front opening and they are fairly cheap. I could also get a 36x18x18 exoterra from my friend to use but from my readings I found that big is not so good for young carpets. I will be building a 36x24x24 for the adult enclosure. I am not sure of an exact age yet, but at the thickest part shes between a sharpie and a highlighter and a guess at length I'd say between 18-24" and that's probably on the big side.

[Aanayab1]

Shaunyboy: strait away build the 4x2x2?

[shaunyboy]

as long as your hatchling is not a nervous feeders and is feeding ok.....

then they can go straight into a 4x2x2ft tank with no issues

just make sure you put in plenty,fake plants,branches,hides,etc

i have found Carpets love the extra space

i keep all my Carpets in 4x2x2ft vivariums

that said, if i had a large example of a Coastal or Diamond, i would use a 6x2x2ft tank (so far my Diamonds are in 4x2x2ft viv's)

you could also do it the way you said in your first post in this thread,but where you said you were going to build a 3x2x2ft viv, i would make it 4x2x2ft to give them the extra space

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

I would always give a carpet as much space as possible/practical, they are very active. Climbing space is also important.

[Mikoh4792]

I kept my carpets in the exo terra 12x12x18 but it only lasts for several months. I'd go with the advice already given and just start him/her up in a 4x2x2 with lots of cover.

[ErikBush97]

4x2x2 wouldn't give a lot of climbing space. Maybe 4x2x4 would be better for them? I've never owned a IJ so listen to the other members. I'm just brain storming here...

[Mikoh4792]

4 feet would definitely give more climbing space but I think 2 feet should be plenty. My zebra is 4 feet long in a 3x2x2. I'd imagine even when Shes a foot or two longer in the next few years 2 feet will be plenty for her. It just depends on how you use space efficiently.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a594/mikoh4792/DSC_0519_zps5f45119f.jpg

and my IJ about the same size in the same sized enclosure.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a594/mikoh4792/DSC_0560_zps5a9c8b27.jpg

[Aanayab1]

Thanks for the pictures, the cages look awesome! I've decided to use my friends 3x1.5x1.5' with blacked out sides 66% covered screen top, multiple hides and a lot of climbing and hiding areas. I will go with building the 4x2x2, starting withing a week or two.

[bigbosky]

i feed every 7 days until they reach sub adult hood,when i feed larger prey less opften (every 2 to 3 weeks)

not to hijack this thread but how old would you consider sub adult hood and about how much would a sub adult weigh. I dont really know how old mine is.

[Aanayab1]

Not a hijack but yet another question I had not thought of yet. Thank you for asking

[Mikoh4792]

not to hijack this thread but how old would you consider sub adult hood and about how much would a sub adult weigh. I dont really know how old mine is.

Something I am also interested in. I'm going to guess it's 1.5-2.5 years old since many snakes(males) are ready to breed 2 years and up.

[shaunyboy]

i class sub adult hood at around 2.5 to 3.5 years of age

cheers shaun