Hello and Help

[tylervelez]

I have always loved reptiles especially snakes. I have done a lot of research on them and have 2 red tail boas and a jaguar carpet python. I have had the boas for 2-3 months and have had no problems at all.

With the carpet python, I just got him on 1-4-14. When i bought him, i handled him for probably 2 hours before i got home and actually set up his cage. He is in a 3X2X18 melamine cage. The temperature is 86 for the basking spot. The humidity is between 60-70% He has done a lot of exploring but usually settles down on the branch. When i try to reach in the cage and just touch him, he starts to hiss. What does this mean. I dont want to make him mad. A few questions

Should I leave him in his cage for a certain amount of time in his new cage before i handle him?

Should i try to pick him up from below?

Should i try to snake hook train him?

If you look at the picture of his cage, you will see a water bowl on one side and a hide on the other, with branches throughout.

Any advice about carpet pythons or red tails that isnt common knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

[kelzerman]

I would give him a week to get acclimated.

[sharthun]

Hey and welcome!

[pdomensis]

Welcome to the forum. He's probably pretty stressed right now. Give him a week or two w/o bothering him. I also would recommend 2 hides so he can regulate temps while feeling safe. Also, your hide is wayyy too big for that snake; they like to feel tight in a hide to be sure nothing is going to get them from any angle. Also, adding some fake plants etc would make him not feel so exposed.

After adressing his environment, he may still be cranky and require patience. Hook training is a good idea.

Good looking snake btw.

[Kera]

Welcome to the forum. He's probably pretty stressed right now. Give him a week or two w/o bothering him. I also would recommend 2 hides so he can regulate temps while feeling safe. Also, your hide is wayyy too big for that snake; they like to feel tight in a hide to be sure nothing is going to get them from any angle. Also, adding some fake plants etc would make him not feel so exposed.

After adressing his environment, he may still be cranky and require patience. Hook training is a good idea.

Good looking snake btw.

I second this. Take away the big hide for now (you can use it when he gets bigger) and put two smaller hides in.

[lpbldg18]

Give him a bit to relax and get used to the place.

Even after though, Carpets can be pretty defensive with there "Territory"
It's almost always a handful getting my Carpet out of his terrarium. Once he is out he's nice and calm though.
Hook training is a great thing to teach

[Donnie]

Hello and welcome

[vjdragonfly]

Hi and welcome, pretty much the same advice as everyone else, hope it settles in for you soon.

[tylervelez]

whats the best ay to hook train him?

also, is he more defensive when he is on a branch or in a hide

are they generally nicer at day or night?

[Kera]

whats the best ay to hook train him?

also, is he more defensive when he is on a branch or in a hide

are they generally nicer at day or night?

I think it'd stress him out less if you took him out if he's on a branch. They're hides are there security, and if they are taken out of their secure place, they'll get stressed and not feel as safe. (Not sure if I worded that right.)

Being nicer at day or night? I don't think there's much of a difference. I guess it depends on the snake.

[IW17]

I think it'd stress him out less if you took him out if he's on a branch. They're hides are there security, and if they are taken out of their secure place, they'll get stressed and not feel as safe.
I agree with this 100%. I never remove my animals from their hides unless it's absolutely necessary. If their out in the open I will handle them. You should try to approach from below. Stay under the head and bring your hand up slow until you start lifting him up. Nothings a guarantee but this method works great for me.

As far as using a hook, yes! A very valuable tool. I hook train every one of my animals regardless of size or species. It's not necessary for every animal, but it helps with feeding response and just getting a better idea of the mood it's in at that time without putting your body in the strike zone.

[Mikoh4792]

Riase the basking spot to around 90F give or take a few degrees.

[Mikoh4792]

Humidity is fine but it does not need to be 60-70%. It can be as low as 40% and he will shed just fine

[Mikoh4792]

Cover the light bulb with a screen guard, your snake will burn itself one day.


Baby carpets are small and vulnerable. You don't need to handle him to make him "docile". Most will just naturally grow out of it as they age. It's a myth that you need to handle your snakes in order for them to be tame. There are just those that will never tame down no matter how much you handle them.

[shaunyboy]

make sure he is eating regular before you try handling him to try and get him used to you and calmed down

young carpets can be defensive/nervous biters,most calm down with regular handling,once they realise your not going to eat them

some don't calm down until they put on a bit of size


some don't calm down at all (a small percentage)

i would wait until he has ate 3 or 4 feeds in a row,then begin the handling process

cheers shaun

[tylervelez]

he was a 2012 so hes not super small. Hes around 3.5 feet. As for the humidity. I just use forest floor so whatever that keeps it.

Another comment. My red tail boas never leave there hides. I always have to lift up their hides to get them. They are much more docile though

[Mikoh4792]

'12 is pretty small. These animals live a decade or two so being a year old is pretty small or "young". Let it grow and see how his disposition develops under good care.

Also all snakes are different. Even in the same species you will have some that hide and are docile, others that hang out all day but are still defensive...etc.

Just don't look at your snake like there's something wrong with it and that you need to fix him. He's just being a snake, let it be. Let him be defensive or bitey if he chooses.