Tips and downfalls for first time owner

[AS_Legion]

Hi guys,

I currently own a corn snake and wanted my next one to be a bit bigger.
After a lot of looking around I came up with 2 favourates. At first i saw the BCI but recently fell in love with the most beautiful Jaguar CCP.

I know the setups of the enclosures and that the young ones are rather nippy.

So I want to know from all you experienced guys out there:

What are some of the things to look out for and do you have any tips that are not so obvious?

[alessia55]

Welcome to the forum! Please read our sSNAKESs forum rules. (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/alessia55/welcomematssnakess.jpg

[sharthun]

Hey and welcome!

[formica]

i've recently become a big fan of Boa's, no experience of carpet pythons, but i will be getting one, one day. i've got a hypo hogg island BCI and a Columbian Rainbow boa, both amazing snakes, the BCI is young and very hissy, but its all bluff :) the rainbow is very docile and inquisitive - will be getting another dwarf boa i think, really want a motley morph of some kind, some really amazing looking morphs about! i'd def go with a boa if I were you ;)

[dbank999]

Welcome!

I have been a CCP owner for almost a year now...

Really cool snake, very attentive, active, and VERY responsive to feeding LOL

Using a snake hook to remove from the enclosure should help with the nippiness, as mine always calms down once out and I believe many others find the same on this forum... But do not quote me on that.

This forum is filled with great info and a great place to learn, especially since there are quite a few really good carpet enthusiasts and keepers here.

Anyway, best of luck and I think you will be very happy with your choice of a carpet python!

[franks]

Hey! Carpet Pythons are awesome- you will not regret grabbing one. The main "tip" I would give is to immediately start feeding them on rats. If you raise them on mice it can be very difficult to switch them over to rats when they are larger, and you will want them eating rats.
Since you are comparing to a corn, I will say that they do not move as fast, so they handle much "calmer" then a corn typically would. They get bigger and thicker, but are not exceedingly bulky and generally will not weigh as much as a boa or ball python of the same length.
As far as caging goes, they make great display snakes and will utilize whatever height you are able to give them. They do not have any special humidity requirements.

[Terranaut]

I have quite a few carpets and have for a while. Carpets are very hardy and a great choice for a bigger snake. Not all are nippy when young but some stay nippy even when older. (This is rare) They like larger enclosures but as said above, they use the whole thing. None of mine use hides. They eat great but most males take a few months off eating during breading season once sexually mature. Most tolerate a lot of handling. Humidity requirements are minimal. They are climbers so consider a taller cage than for a corn. If you have any questions just ask away. Carpets are addicting once you get one.

[MizCandice]

I dont own a carpet but a friend does and we see her about every 2 weeks, She is the sweetist thing ever! my 8 year old keeps her with him about 5 hours and she is content with just hanging out all day. NOW I know this is not the rule, but it shows with regular work it is attainable. My buddy does have a baby that he stated is a bit nippy but he holds her and exposes her to the crowds at shows to hopefully aclimate her the way his bigger girl is, ( munchy at AAE in Wheaton IL for any of you in the area ). They do educational programs and the carpets are always a hit. Good luck and I hope you are happy with whatever you choose.

[shaunyboy]

imo some Jags can suffer from nuerological issues...

it can be anything from, a slight barely noticable head wobble,to doing a full corkscrew movements around their tanks

i have had Jags that show no issues,until they are taken out and handled,where they appear nervous and their head wobbles or they turn upside down when trying to get out your hands grip

i have heard of some where they get slight head wobbles when you offer prey,as they get worked up about feeding

that said i have Jags with no issues at all

imo i would take the Jag out and handle it and see how it reacts,most Jags ive come across are ok

cheers shaun

[Mikoh4792]

perches... they love a good perch. That's all mine ever use and barely go in their hides. Along with what other's have already mentioned, don't be afraid to give them a slightly hotter than recommended hotspot(over 90F). They'll use it as long as there is room to cool off.

[HoldenC]

It's important to remember that Carpets can get pretty muddy/ugly as adults. This might be stating the obvious, but I suggest buying a known specimen from a reputable breeder and definitely get pics of the parents (and lineage). I think a lot of people jump at the first $150 Carpet they find, then wish they would have held out for something more "desirable." Spending a little more can get you a long way in the Carpet hobby, imo.

[Donnie]

I can't say much more than the advice given above apart from, get a carpet not a boa ;)

[Terranaut]

It's important to remember that Carpets can get pretty muddy/ugly as adults. This might be stating the obvious, but I suggest buying a known specimen from a reputable breeder and definitely get pics of the parents (and lineage). I think a lot of people jump at the first $150 Carpet they find, then wish they would have held out for something more "desirable." Spending a little more can get you a long way in the Carpet hobby, imo.

Just to add to this...if you plan to breed it or if looks is the most important aspect of the snake in your opinion do exactly as stated above. Otherwise just get one that is calm and handleable. My male carpet is high black where most people want high yellow. Some like him and some say he is very average BUT he is so calm I will let young kids even remove him from his enclosure so in my mind he is the best snake I have and would be the last I keep. It all depends on what you want out of the animal.
Case in point
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/IMG_1428_zpsa2301d4a.jpg

[Mikoh4792]

You can have as much enjoyment if not more owning an "average" jungle with no lineage information, as long as you like it's personality. As mentioned before you should only stress on looks, purity, and lineage information if you are going to breed.

Looks are only on the surface. You can have a great looking snake but it can be the most boring pet ever.

[HoldenC]

Who doesn't want to breed these beautiful animals once you get one? :) My point probably had more to do with supporting breeders who introduce countless unknown mutts into a market that is already flooded with "average" Carpets. I just can't support that, but to each their own. [flowers]

[Mikoh4792]

Who doesn't want to breed these beautiful animals once you get one? :)

So very true.


My point probably had more to do with supporting breeders who introduce countless unknown mutts into a market that is already flooded with "average" Carpets. I just can't support that, but to each their own. [flowers]

Well you mean average in terms of looks. But to me a high end designer jungle can be a below average pet compared to a ugly, muddy, irian x jungle cross. Again these things only really matter if you are breeding or using it for educational purposes.

[AS_Legion]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies :D

Alessia, no worries :) I make sure to read all of the rules before posting anything.

Now regarding the other posts: I am getting my Coastal at a local breeder that is also the owner of a reptile park at a big nursery. So all of his animals are in really great condition.

The corn I have at the moment is a bit of a mystery as she spends most time either borrowed or climbing around in her tank. But I will take your recommendations and build the tank higher. From what I have read so far the most acceptable size is 4×2×2.

Is there a height limit that anyone would not recommend in case the snake falls?

I will be getting her only on December/January but want to make sure I got the best setup possible.

[AS_Legion]

Hi everyone again,

thanks for all the replies!

@ Alessia: No worries . I read the forum rules before doing any posting :D

As for all other feedbacks:
I am getting my baby from a very reputable dealer in my area. He is also the owner of a reptile park in one of the larger nurseries in town. So I should be getting a descent breed. (I bought a crested gecko from him as well and he is as well as anything)

My corn is a bit peculiar as she also loves to climb, so she is either burrowed away or lying on top of the glass of my Vivarium... strange little thing.

@ formica: believe it or not... but is STILL a close call between a BCI or a CCP.

Most places I read up on they say that the best size for a tank is 1 square foot per foot of snake, thus a 4 × 2 × 2 should be descent space.
Out of interest, how high would I be able to make it? I mean, wont it hurt the snake if she falls to far?

I will only her at the end of the year/beginning of next and what to make 120% sure that she will have as best tank setup as possible.

[AS_Legion]

I am trying to post a pic of the baby he has at the moment but I get following message:

Post denied. New posts are limited by number of URLs it may contain and checked if it doesn't contain forbidden words.

Any clues?

[Terranaut]

You need 5 posts first I think.

A 4x2x2 is perfect for 95% of the carpets out there. The occasional specimen is larger but most will be happy in that size of cage.

Carpets seldom fall off of anything. They are known for being superior climbers. My adult female can extend more than 50% of her length to reach out and climb something if her tail has a solid grip.

So post a couple more times and lets see what your looking at.

[AS_Legion]

Xena, my corn is also a avid climber but she is also a chancer. She will actually climb up on the little space between the glass and the wall of the tank.

[AS_Legion]

So to all admin. I am not trying to spam just to get to a 5 post count :)

Nope it didnt work...

Hopefully a passing admin will be able to shed some light on this :D

[Terranaut]

Try now. You only reached 5 posts with your last comment.

[AS_Legion]

I tried it after the 5th post :)

it didnt work so I edited my previous post

[Mikoh4792]

upload the picture to a site like tinypic.com or photobucket.com then type the url in between these codes(without the spaces)

[ i m g ] c o d e g o e s h e r e [ / i m g ]

[AS_Legion]

Hi Mikoh,

The image is online already and I am using the image codes.
I will just wait for a little while and hopefully be able to post tomorrow.

[Mikoh4792]

can you post the image code?
i will try to post it.

[Mikoh4792]

http://www.reptiliatraders.co.za/images/Jag1size.jpg

[Terranaut]

Wow. Very nice!!!

[AS_Legion]

OK... I think my pics work now :)

Here is another one of his babies.

I hope he got something similar available when I want to buy.

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj534/as_legion/996557_507747142637814_1785330034_n_zps89353c36.jp g