Carpet Python stays in its hide

[lewis13]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and a relatively new herp enthusiast. I got my first ball python 3 yrs ago and I also have columbian red tail boa that I have had for about 6 mos. They are both great snakes and I wanted to add to my collection. I was at the Raleigh, NC repticon last month and purchased a 2 yr old diamond x jungle carpet python. She too has been a great snake so far. She has fed twice and is a little cage defensive, but is great once she is out and has never struck once. The reason I am posting is that it seems like she spends 99% of her time in her hide. Is this normal? After I take her out of her cage and handle her she does explore for awhile but then right back into her hide she goes. One of the reasons I purchased a carpet was because of their tendency to bask/rest out in the open. I am just concerned that maybe I am doing something wrong and that is why she stays hidden away. I have a RHP for upper heat and an UTH for belly heat and her hide is positioned over the UTH. The RHP and UTH are on opposite sides of the tank so that there are multiple heat gradients. I use cyprus mulch for substraite and keep humidity around 60%. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. I have attached some pics to show her enclosure and in the picks the substrate is aspen but I have switched to the cyprus.

[Mikoh4792]

Where exactly is her RHP in the picture? is it to the right or left? What temperature is the basking spot?

My carpets all act differently. I have some that will bask in the open all day, another will bask all day but hidden behind a branch, and I have two that will hide most of the day.

If it were me I would just wait a few months to see if your snake changes behavior after getting accustomed to it's new surroundings....that is if your husbandry is properly in place.


EDIT: Also it seems like you are monitoring temps with the stick on thermometer. Those are not reliable and they are not reading temperatures in the correct place. I would strongly suggest you get digital thermometers with probes or a heat gun( or even both) so you can read temps anywhere in the cage.

[lewis13]

Mikoh4792 Thanks for your comments. I have been using a stick on thermometer and hydrometer. I have changed my set up tho. the low X perch and water bowl are under the RHP and the hide and high perch are on the opposite side. Also the thermometer is high under the RHP and I have another digital one low by the hide. I also think I might have cracked the case because after I posted Jazebel shed and it was a great all in one piece shed.

[Mikoh4792]

alright i see. what temperature did you set the rhp to on the thermostat? and the uth?

[Lankyrob]

The jungle i had would stay in its hide a lot of the time and come put to hunt when hungry, as soon as it ate it would disappear for at least a nother 7-10 days before i would see him again.

[lewis13]

Lankyrob- That makes me feel better that there is nothing wrong with her. I do wish though that she would bask in the open more. Maybe when she is bigger she will feel more secure.

[Sublimeballs]

Hmm I don't remember seeing this guy at the Raleigh show. Shame I missed over him. We're you there Saturday or Sunday? You going to the winston salem show?

[lewis13]

Sublimeballs- I was there on Saturday and I am debating going to the WS show. One the one hand it is very close to High Point where I live on the other hand it looks like it is going to be a very small show. Are you planning on going? Did you go to the one last year?

[Lankyrob]

The only snake i jave owned that was on show more than hiding was my GTP

[shaunyboy]

you could bulk the tank up with fake plants,giving more cover which will make the snake feel more secure


http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank003.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank003.jpg.html)

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank008.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank008.jpg.html)

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank007.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank007.jpg.html)

some of my carpets use their hides 24/7 when coming up to and during the shedding proccess

imo you have nothing to worry about

thats a good looking carpet you have there

cheers shaun

[Sharlynn93]

my CRB has stayed in her hide 98% of the time I have had her (a month so far) hoping she starts being more active soon...

[Sublimeballs]

Sublimeballs- I was there on Saturday and I am debating going to the WS show. One the one hand it is very close to High Point where I live on the other hand it looks like it is going to be a very small show. Are you planning on going? Did you go to the one last year?

Hmm, I was there Saturday too. Can't believe I missed this snake. I was the one walking around with the ferret(he had a vet appointment in Durham so I got a reptile show out of it, never again will I take him to a show!). Yeah I'm going to the Winston show, and I went to the last one. It is a very small show, but the last one had an incredible diversity of species. One of my buddies ended up getting a t- albino blood(the like $800 ones) for $200. With how close you are travel isn't an issue, I vote you go.

[Terranaut]

I think you will find that if you cover 3 sides of your enclosure and add a bit more plants as said above the snake will be more secure and venture out. I actually don't even have hides in my carpet enclosures but I do have an area with lots of greenery to hide under if they want.

[lewis13]

Hmm, I was there Saturday too. Can't believe I missed this snake. I was the one walking around with the ferret(he had a vet appointment in Durham so I got a reptile show out of it, never again will I take him to a show!). Yeah I'm going to the Winston show, and I went to the last one. It is a very small show, but the last one had an incredible diversity of species. One of my buddies ended up getting a t- albino blood(the like $800 ones) for $200. With how close you are travel isn't an issue, I vote you go.

Haha I do remember seeing someone with a ferret. I have decided that I will be going to the show. My fiance isn't very snake friendly, but said she wants to go to the show. Hopefully I will see you there. I am really enjoying getting to know people in the "reptile" community. I met william from carolina reptiles where I got my RTB and richard and frank from RBI when I got my JCP terrarium and RHP. It is nice having resources like that close by.

[lewis13]

I think you will find that if you cover 3 sides of your enclosure and add a bit more plants as said above the snake will be more secure and venture out. I actually don't even have hides in my carpet enclosures but I do have an area with lots of greenery to hide under if they want.


Thanks for the advice. I am going to a Repticon show this weekend and will look at picking up greenery and maybe some vines to give the tank a more realistic look. She also just shed yesterday which was really cool for my kids and I to watch so hopefully she will be venturing out more.

[lewis13]

The only snake i jave owned that was on show more than hiding was my GTP


A GTP is on my wish list of snakes. My goal is 5 and a GTP or BRB are next on my list I just need to convince my fiance to go along with my plans. lol

[lewis13]

you could bulk the tank up with fake plants,giving more cover which will make the snake feel more secure


http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank003.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank003.jpg.html)

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank008.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank008.jpg.html)

http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank007.jpg (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/spilota01/media/diamond%20tank/diamond%20tank/diamondtank007.jpg.html)

some of my carpets use their hides 24/7 when coming up to and during the shedding proccess

imo you have nothing to worry about

thats a good looking carpet you have there

cheers shaun


Thanks for the pics and the advice. I have read alot of your other posts and I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and knowledge with us less experienced herp fans. I really love the color of my JCP and the pattern on her head. I just need to get a better camera so I can get better pics of all my girls to post.

[lewis13]

Got home today and look who was out basking in the open. First pic is with out the flash and last two are obviously with the flash. Man do i need to get a btr camera. The pics really don't do her justice. :mad:

[Terranaut]

Carpets never look as good in pictures as the do in person. I have taken hundreds of mine and could count on one hand how many are the true colours they have. She looks great ;)

[shaunyboy]

looks like she's settling in and feeling secure enough to hang of a perch on display.....

i really like her pattern and colours mate

cheers shaun

[Donnie]

Nice looking carpet and it looks like she is settling in a bit. The only time most of mine seem to hide is when they are in shed and them being out on display often was one of the deciding factors when I was looking into getting one.

[lewis13]

Nice looking carpet and it looks like she is settling in a bit. The only time most of mine seem to hide is when they are in shed and them being out on display often was one of the deciding factors when I was looking into getting one.


That was definately a deciding factor for me as well which was why I started this post. She is definately spending more time basking in the open now that she has shed. That is the great thing about having different snakes and different species. You really get to see their different personalities and tendencies. They are Great!!

[Sublimeballs]

Haha I do remember seeing someone with a ferret. I have decided that I will be going to the show. My fiance isn't very snake friendly, but said she wants to go to the show. Hopefully I will see you there. I am really enjoying getting to know people in the "reptile" community. I met william from carolina reptiles where I got my RTB and richard and frank from RBI when I got my JCP terrarium and RHP. It is nice having resources like that close by.

William is a good guy, I've done a lot of business with him(he does trades), and I was just at reptile basics yesterday to pick some stuff up. If youre into ball pythons check out dale goins in liberty,real nice guy. It is great to have these guys around here; if only one of them would give me a job lol.

Well that's great you're fiancé is gonna go with you even though she doesn't like snakes. I'm lucky my gf loves reptiles, doesn't hold the ones that make her nervous, but she likes them. Ill be there Saturday and Sunday. I'm not planning on getting anything unless something really stands out, but I love shows. Hopefully ill see you there and we can talk snakes.

[lewis13]

William is a good guy, I've done a lot of business with him(he does trades), and I was just at reptile basics yesterday to pick some stuff up. If youre into ball pythons check out dale goins in liberty,real nice guy. It is great to have these guys around here; if only one of them would give me a job lol.

Well that's great you're fiancé is gonna go with you even though she doesn't like snakes. I'm lucky my gf loves reptiles, doesn't hold the ones that make her nervous, but she likes them. Ill be there Saturday and Sunday. I'm not planning on getting anything unless something really stands out, but I love shows. Hopefully ill see you there and we can talk snakes.


I am gonna be there Saturday am Prob get there at 10 and stay till lunch or 1 depending on what there is to look at. I am not planning on getting anything either, but I can't be held responsible if something "speaks" to me. lol We should definitely try and meet up. If you were bringing your ferret it would be easy i'd just look for the "ferret guy" lol

where do you get your feeders? Richard at RBI said that Frank sells them out of the trailer, but that seems a little shady. lol I am looking into the rat deli since it is local, but haven't ordered yet. William has been getting me some lately cause I don't need a ton for just 3 snakes.

[Sublimeballs]

I get my rats from William and online. I wouldn't be concerned about buying rats from frank. I didn't know he sold rats but now I'm going to give him a call and find out what his pricing is ( William hasnt been able to consistently get ahold of jumbo rats recently, so I could use a good local source for those times I'm in a crunch). I'm going to be at the show sometime around 9 and my GF will be there just after 10. Ill be there all day more likely than not, I've got long dark blonde hair that I usually have up. At the moment I have 3 different size gauges in my ears(I'm stretching my ears back up, I tore them), ill wear a green shirt with the band sublimes 40oz sun logo on it. Hopefully you can spot me out of the crowd it's always nice to meet new people in the reptile hobby. What do you look like so I can try and spot you? I'm guessing your nameis Lewis.

[lewis13]

I get my rats from William and online. I wouldn't be concerned about buying rats from frank. I didn't know he sold rats but now I'm going to give him a call and find out what his pricing is ( William hasnt been able to consistently get ahold of jumbo rats recently, so I could use a good local source for those times I'm in a crunch). I'm going to be at the show sometime around 9 and my GF will be there just after 10. Ill be there all day more likely than not, I've got long dark blonde hair that I usually have up. At the moment I have 3 different size gauges in my ears(I'm stretching my ears back up, I tore them), ill wear a green shirt with the band sublimes 40oz sun logo on it. Hopefully you can spot me out of the crowd it's always nice to meet new people in the reptile hobby. What do you look like so I can try and spot you? I'm guessing your nameis Lewis.

Actually my name is Brian...long story with the Lewis. I will be there around 10 also. I am not sure what I will be wearing, but I will be the one there with my 2 yr old daughter and 9 yr old son. lol I look forward to meeting you and seeing you there!!

[shaunyboy]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to a Repticon show this weekend and will look at picking up greenery and maybe some vines to give the tank a more realistic look. She also just shed yesterday which was really cool for my kids and I to watch so hopefully she will be venturing out more.

before during and after the shedding proccess,a lot of my Carpets will stay in hides,or stay in one prefered spot (hot or cold end),then go back about their buisness roughly 7 days after shedding

it's great that you and the kids saw the shedding proccess,fascinating to watch imo

cheers shaun

[lewis13]

before during and after the shedding proccess,a lot of my Carpets will stay in hides,or stay in one prefered spot (hot or cold end),then go back about their buisness roughly 7 days after shedding

it's great that you and the kids saw the shedding proccess,fascinating to watch imo

cheers shaun


It was great to watch. It was the first time I was able to watch one of my snakes shed from start to finish. Usually I just check them in the morning and see the shed in the cage. She is doing great now and spending the majority of her time basking out and about. I appreciate all of you help and advice.