Need some info ASAP about jag carpets!

[Minkness]

Being offered what I think is an amazing deal on a carpet python. I didn't get her age, but I was told she's a 43 in female feeding on small rats and is friendly. Along with her I have been offered her tub, bedding, hide, and water bowl. I have read as much info on the last few hours as I can and the guy has given me till Tuesdsy to make up my mind/get her. This is a local deal that seems to never happen around here and the guy seems very knowledgeable. I wasn't really in the market for a carpet and actually wanted to wait for a BRB, this just came out of nowhere and I want to make a solid decision that I (hopefully) don't regret.

Below is the only pic I have (so far) of her. One of my main concerns is the nuro issues I have read about bredli jags and I'm not sure if that's an issue just with that cross, or with jags as a whole.

Please flood me with experience and opinions of why or why not to get this lovely lady!

[metalcopper]

It looks like a nice Jag. I like to know the breeding lines for my Carpets, it's kind of important to know the quality of the snake and if the price is good or not; see if you can find out who bred it and from what lines it comes from. He told you it was a Bredli Jag?

[Minkness]

He is saying it's just a jag, no bredli. And I'm not going to breed so lines don't mean much to me. To be honest, the snake and supplies are cheaper than the cheapest carpet I have found online. I don't want that to be the issue though. I'm more interested in the care, handling, and any known issues with the jaguar morph (if there are any)

[MDT]

hey minkness, as metalcopper said, linages can be important, especially if you are wanting to breed and sell the offspring. there has been a lot of "indiscriminate" breeding of carpets over the years...so, you really don't know what you have unless you can pin down lineage from a REPUTABLE breeder. that being said, just because you may not have a full documented lineage, doesn't mean you may not have a visually stunning animal or just a really cool pet carpet python.

as far as the neuro issue goes...it is something that is potentially present in all jags (to my knowledge)...it does not mean that they all manifest neurological issues. and they do not all manifest to the same degree. some may be just a little wonky...some may be so bad that they cannot eat..i have two diamond jungle jags...one in my avatar is from the gamma lineage...she shows zero neuro issues at all. i have another male from the riddler line that shows no neuro issues either....

bottom line, if you like the snake, if it looks to be a healthy weight/size, if it eats (and it looks like it does), the price is right, etc, etc, grab it up...if you think you will give it a good home and care properly for it....even if it wobbles a bit, they will still make awesome pets.

[Minkness]

Thanks MDT! I'm still going to think it though since the owner has given me some time. I hate jumping into a new animal too fast and risk not being prepared and potentially not be a great home for it (or have it turn out a disappointment)

[EL Ziggy]

I don't have experience with carpets YET but I do have an opinion :). It does look like a nice jag mink. I've done a bit of research on carpets and the husbandry seems pretty straightforward. Slightly higher ambient temps and humidity than our colubrids seems to be the case. I want a carpet python as my next snake. They're beautiful animals. I'm concerned about the neuro issues with jags too and even though as MDT said they don't all show signs of illness, I'll probably pass on the jag and go with a jungle carpet instead. I know what you mean about not rushing into a new animal too. It's best to make sure you're well prepared and that you find an animal you really want. I almost made a hurried choice recently and now I'm glad I waited. Sleep on it and see and how you feel in a day or two. Keep us posted on your decision.

[toddnbecka]

My .02 worth, I went to a show and found 3 baby carpets of undetermined lineage available at a table for a lower price than I've seen anywhere before or since. I had looked into their care requirements previously, but wasn't really big on them in general from what I'd read about them tending to be nippy as babies, and some never really growing out of it. I handled two of them at the show, long enough for them to warm up and get active, and found them quite mellow.
I figured I'd take a chance on one, could always rehome it later if I really didn't like it. (Thought the same thing about a "free" German shepherd puppy about 12 years ago, lol.) I had to offer it a live hopper mouse to get it to eat (refused f/t for several weeks) but since then he/she takes live or f/t without any hesitation. Growing like a weed now, still has the same mellow disposition, has never struck or tried to bite.
At 43" I suspect she's somewhere around a year old. Already well established, unlike the hatchling I brought home, and no worries about feeding. If it were my choice I'd go for it. If you find you don't like her I'd think you'd at least have a fair chance at swapping her for a BRB somewhere along the line.

[reptiledude987]

As stated may not be a great breeder due to unknown lineage. However for a pet if the temperment is good go for it!. I love my carpets my Jag IJ is one of my favorites and sweet as pie. The olny issue I've heard with jags is if you breed with another jag no offspring will survive.

[Minkness]

I have decided to pass. Repticon is next saturday and I feel I should stick to what I really want and not just "omg so pretty!me want!".

Thanks guys!

[reptiledude987]

You have more will power than I. Its so hard for me to turn down a good deal on a carpet. I just love them theyre the perfect snake for me. they get bigger than any colubrid but are housed and handled easier than any of the giants and out of the 5 I have only 1 has an attitude problem but hes still fun to handle too lol

[EL Ziggy]

Good luck at Repticon Mink. I hope you find EXACTLY what you're looking for! Those BRB's are really nice too. Make sure you post pics. I can't wait for my first carpet experience though. I'm very excited. :)

[MDT]

I would disagree about the "may not be a good breeder because of unknown lineage" part, and if i conveyed that, i need to clarify...

unknown lineage is rampant in the carpet world. sometimes it matters. i have a beautiful, stunning yellow and black, gorgeous female carpet....it was sold to me as a "python pete" lineage...no papers...could it be? sure...is it? no way to know, so ethically, i could not pass her offspring off as "python pete" lineage carpets.....however, i have zero issue pairing her with the right mate, because she will produce amazingly colored babies.....

other carpet guys may jump in here to add, i have a lot of respect for derek roddy, chris behoff, shaunyboy, and many other who have paved the path for carpet python keepers... hopefully they can add to this..

[reptiledude987]

Good luck at Repticon Mink. I hope you find EXACTLY what you're looking for! Those BRB's are really nice too. Make sure you post pics. I can't wait for my first carpet experience though. I'm very excited. :)

I'm on the oppisite side of this lol. have my carpets and now looking into some brb's (and womas). Its crazy cause it never ends. I know as soon as I have them there will be something else lol. Just dont know what it will be yet....

[Minkness]

There was a nice woma available on my local CL as well, but not my thing lol. It was just a little more $ than the carpet.

I have so much to consider in one week! I really want to get into breeding cresties but also want another snake soooo bad. But limited space makes it hard to choose.

I'm so frustrated at thinking things through I almost just want to throw my arms in the air and forgo another reptile at all!

Especially since I'm looking at buying a house this year and adding a kitten (quite possibly tonight).