JCP or IJCP?

[Clownfishie]

I'm just starting to look into getting one of the Morelia sp... not sure which one I want to get yet, figured that I'd ask everyone's opinion on which one they like better :) The only thing I'm sure of is that the coastals get too big... but I'm considering either a jungle carpet, or an irian jaya...

Basically, just which one do you enjoy keeping more, as far as ease of care, temperament etc goes...

Thanks! :)
Jen

[vanderkm]

We have both and they are great but very different. The Irians are easier overall - calmer temperament, more tolerant of handling, less nervous, and they don't seem to need as high humidity as the jungles we have. Both Irians and Jungles are beautiful - sort of depends on whether you like the stark contrast of the black/yellow or black/ivory of the jungles or you prefer the browns, gold, cream color of the Irians. Our jungles are not aggressive but tend to be more active when handled - searching for a secure place to hide out, and in my opinion, they are more sensitive to things overall. They act more aggitated when they are first picked up, take longer to settle, breathe faster when handled, and while they aren't hissy - they do 'huff' more often when being held. They also seem to appreciate a bit more humidity in their enclosures to keep their skin looking its best. Both species are great, but I really think the Irians are underappreciated as a moderate sized python - I expect they are a species we will always have.

Mary v.

[snakemann87]

I dont keep either, but when I was thinking, everyone said IJCP are the best

[Clownfishie]

Thanks Mary! That was a great post :)

[JIMI]

i keep both and i love IJ's.. they're my favorite spilota. except maybe diamonds but they're bigger and more expensive and more to care for.

so ya . i'd pick an IJ over a JCP anyday

[Zoe]

I've never kept JCPs, but my experience with IJs has been thoroughly enjoyable, interesting, and a lot of fun!

Zoe

[Dom]

I presently keep Jungles coastals and new guineas.. and have kept IJ..

I personally think the ones that where te nicest "tollerent wise" are the coastals.. but in coloration wise, they are not as nice as the other morelia sp's.. also size can be a factor.. The IJ's were persect in everyway .. very easy snake to care for .. my newguinea.. is quite agressive but has the basic requirements of an IJ..

The jungles tend to be a littl bit more work.. although I would choose them over any IJ .. they are more active and a better display imo.. they tend o be more nervous though.

In the end.. I think all the sp's can be great as long as it fits what u are looking for ..

Take care
Dom

[stormyva]

I have an Irian Jaya and love it. Very easy to care for and seems to have the most "personality" of any of our snakes.

[Phantom]

I've never owned an IJ, but I do have a Jungle (although my experience with it is very limited). I've only had it for about a month, so all I can give you are my opinions based my experiences and observations on up to now.

Like others mentionned, jcp's can pretty nervous, especially when handled. Mine always hisses (well .. more of a wierd wheezing noise!!) everytime I handle him.But so far it's mostly bluff because he's never snapped or bit me .. yet! He's very active, not a "lap snake" at all!!!

The care can be a little more specific due to the higher level of humidity that is required.

But the beauty of a jcp is well worth the care !! It's a beautiful display animal, especially in a natural viv. I don't handle mine as much as my other snakes, I prefer sit down and observe him.
It all depends what you're looking for.... Personnally, I prefer jcp's !

Phantom

[JIMI]

Dom. as far as display animals go... my JCP's hide alot more often than my IJ's do.

as far as colours go, JCP's can be pretty amazing and if you're lucky they will keep that colour into thier adult years ... but I havnt seen a full grown JCP that doesnt have muddy colours. i've also seen some pretty ugly IJ"s lol.

[Zoe]

I'd have to say when it comes to looks, IJs are the nicest. I just love their colouration, the pattern, the head pattern... everything!

[Katt]

I'm with coastals. My male is only a bit over six feet, but keep in mind, these are slender bodies snakes, so six feet hardly looks six feet when curled up. They're not chunky like burms or boas.

As far as IJ's and JCP's. I've found them both to be a disappointment colourwise. Yeah yeah, sure they're yellow and sometimes reddish, but not always, and I think a better looking coastal is better than a crappy JCP. A lot of jungles don't look that very yellow and a lot of ij's aren't red enough or look too much like a jcp.

<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/kattia/mustard2.jpg">

Unless we're talking those hi yellow JCP's, not those are real nice, but I wouldn't want to pay through the nose for one. I'm quite content with my coastals who are beautiful and tame in my eyes.

I think, you should just go to a show or a breeder and see what snake (regardless of species) you like. The one that catches your eye, is the one you should keep.

[Clownfishie]

That's a very nice coastal you have there Katt :) Are you breeding them, or still waiting for yours to grow up?

[Katt]

Oh, my male is an adult, but my female is a baby. I had a line on an adult female, but unfortunately, she got sick and I decided not to buy her.

[Mardy]

Hello I'm Mardy and I have a morelia problem.lol
I love them all, but IJ's are very calm and a real joy to handle.

Mardy

[JIMI]

I was just talking about this on another thread... and i'll say it again,

"They tame quickly, rarely go off feed, accept large meals and are easiest to switch to rats when the time comes. And quite simply put, the GTP is the only other Morelia you will find that beats out the dramatic and awesome colour changes an Irian Jaya goes through in the first few years +.

Carpet pythons are an amazing species from a greatly desired Genus (Morelia)... and Irian Jayas are like the crown jewels."

[Clownfishie]

Thanks for all the opinions guys! :)

I think that I've definitely decided on an IJCP... now I just need to start saving up... the hardest part! ;)

[Clownfishie]

PS -- if anyone knows of any breeders working with these guys (preferably on the west coast, but anywhere is fine), that would be great!

[vanderkm]

Karel Bergmann, Calgary is the breeder that we got ours from, and he is advertising in the latest TARAS newsletter that he still has youngsters. Irians are great snakes and they have some excellent breeders - the mother of our Irians is very large and gorgeous. His web site is http://www.morelia.ca/. Good luck in your search for one,

mary v.

[JIMI]

Karel's got some nice snakes. i agree.

[hoganofx]

sweet this thread is nice. i have the same problem right now. im trying to decide which i want hahaha

[snakemann87]

i think IJ are the best choice

[hoganofx]

thats what i was thinkin as well:rsmile:

[Mardy]

Henry in Mission BC has some nice ones as well.
I have got to get a female from Karel's jumbo female to go with my jumbo male.

PS- I think ares are pretty hot too.

[Clownfishie]

Thanks Mardy :) I'll check with Henry...

Did you sell that girl that you had posted for sale a few weeks ago? The one with the ummm... interesting... head markings? ;) She was actually what got me wanting an IJCP... I saw her and just fell in love!

[Lisa]

I haven't had any experience with any carpet pythons yet but so far i'm interested in the ij's the most. right now waiting on money and other projects to get started up before getting going on the carpets.... sigh so many projects... not enough space.

[Clownfishie]

LOL Lisa -- tell me about it! :) I literally do not have room for anything else unless I decide to start sleeping on the couch and let the reptiles take over my bedroom ;) Plus some major saving up is in order before I can get anything that I really want, since I'm on a tight budget right now... why can't I just win the lottery? Hehe :) Then I could buy myself a house with a tonne of room for herps, and have the money to buy all the ones that I want :D