Advice for getting a JCP?

[sockSnek]

I've been thinking about getting a JCP for a while now, and there are 2 really beautiful yearlings at my local reptile store that I have my eye on. I'm not totally set one getting one yet because I live with Boyfriend, who has various concerns. So I'm looking to you guys for both ways to makes his concerns less concerning, and to decide what I should buy in preparation if he finally agrees to it.

Caging:
I'm looking at an AP T5 with a shelf. The care sheets I've read say 3x2x2 is a minimum, but I don't know if that's the minimum to make the snake happy or minimum to make the snake not-miserable.

1. Should I go bigger?
2. Can I get a divider with it and section off half the cage for a yearling or should I just go buy something smaller?

Heating (and Boyfriend's concerns)
So Boyfriend is kind of a furnace and is not ok with having another heat source putting several extra watts of heat into the house, especially in the summer. Right now I have a UTH for my corn, and I don't think it makes much of a difference in the room temperature, but he seems convinced it does.

1. What are good options for heat for a JCP? I have a CHE that's not in use, but I'm thinking about trying an RHP.
2. Can anyone with an RHP talk about their experience with these?
3. How much more effort will it take to keep the enclosure at a good humidity level if I use a CHE?
4. Of the acceptable options, which ones will add the least amount of heat to the room, and is there anything I can do to make it even less?

[Andy_G]

3x2x2 is a reasonable size to give the snake enough room to move around and live comfortably. That's what minimum size means in regards to snake keeping. You could go as big as you want provided you can control the husbandry and the snake does well. I'd recommend something smaller for a yearling, while others say that a huge cage with lots of clutter is fine...it's really up to you and whether or not you enjoy cleaning poop off of multiple things rather than a few honestly...

RHP is the way to go for heat. UTH doesn't do much if anything to ambient temps, so unfortunately your boyfriend is delirious haha. :P

[dannybgoode]

I would go bigger than 3x2 for a JCP. An irian jaya carpet would be OK I that but jungles get that little bit bigger so I'd go 4x2 as a minimum. When small just make sure there's plenty of hides.

What Andy said about heat.

Bear in mind carpets can be nippy buggers when young but 9/10 mellow right out 18 months. Generally they'll eat surprisingly big meals also. Don't be shy with prey size!

Glorious snakes-put off carpet ownership for a long time and so glad I took the plunge.

[sockSnek]

What size RHP should I get for a 3' or 4' long enclosure?

The one JCP I got to handle at the store was really chill. If he doesn't like being picked up though, I might get a hook. Both the parents were 7', by the way.

[aaron_cg]

I have a yearling coastal carpet right now. His new enclosure is being picked up Sunday, since he out grew the original.

Right now He is in 2x1x1 enclosure from JPM Reptilla.

For furnishings I have a sealed PVC Pyramid for him to climb, 2 hides, and water bowl. I'm using a UTH at the moment, but once he gets fully grown I'm going to switch to RHP, which I all ready have.

Now, for specific questions you had, it depends on what species of JCP you have. These are just generalized answers that will work across the board.

Caging:

1. 3x2x~2 should be big enough for most species as an adult, provided you give ample climbing room. Most are semi-arboreal.

2. You can divide, but the easier solution would be to get more hides. As long as they have plenty of hiding places to feel secure you should be good.

Heating:

1. CHE, RHP and UTH are all good options. As a young snake, I prefer to use UTH. When they get bigger, RHP is what I like.

2. RHP's while more costly, are amazing. They are cool enough to touch where touch will not burn, but typically "blend" in with the enclosure. You want to mount them on the roof of the warm side, and run a goo t-stat with it. Ive used them for big boa's, retics, JCP's, ATB, GTP's and Boiga's.

3. Humidity in an AP style enclosure, or good sealed wooden (High Scale Enclosures (http://www.highscalereptiles.com/high-scale-enclosures.html)) is incredibly easy to do. I use a puppy ad as substrate right now just because its easier for me, and my humidity with just a small ball of water hovers around 45%-55% without doing anything other than keeping fresh water in there.

4. UTH and RHP are your best options.

Additional information you may need:

1. Young carpets are known to be nippy. Especially in the enclosures. Mine strikes when I open the enclosure 100% of the time. I have held him maybe 5 times. Once outside he is docile. Less handling leads to less stress and leads to a happier snake.

2. Look at the species you are getting. Irian Jaya's get to about 5 feet while Coastals can get to about 9 feet.

3. Your going to want a snake hook, if you dont have one. I would recomend a 30" one from Toby at Snake Charmer Hooks (https://www.facebook.com/Snake-Charmer-Hooks-491294434365146/). He is competitvely priced, does ship, accepts paypal and allows customization of his hooks.

Overall, my second favorite non hot species to work with. You wont be disappointed with them

[EL Ziggy]

I'd probably go with a 4x2x2 for a jungle but a 3x2x2 will work for an average sized JCP. I also agree that RHPs are the best heat source for carpets. I'd go with an 80w RHP just to be safe but the 40w unit may work for a 3x2 cage. I know a lot of folks say that jungles can be pretty nippy when they're young but both of mine have been pretty docile since they were hatchlings. They do get pretty amped up at feeding time so a snake hook is probably a good idea. Carpets are a lot of fun to keep. I also doubt you'll be disappointed with them. Keep us posted!

[aaron_cg]

Ohh yeah, add in a pair of 12" forceps. Most medical shops have them for around $10-$15

[sockSnek]

Ohh yeah, add in a pair of 12" forceps. Most medical shops have them for around $10-$15

I was going to try with chopsticks...but a bigger rat might be too heavy for that. :rolleyes:

[aaron_cg]

I suck with chop sticks, but by all means go for it. Just want to see a video of that haha

[Andy_G]

Definitely get forceps or hemostats. Chop sticks are for noodles, NOT danger noodles. ;)

[dannybgoode]

Yeah, carpets can have an enthusiastic response to food shall we say. I'd avoid chopsticks!

I echo what Andy says about them being nippy also. Mine hasn't shown any sign of even thinking about striking me but I mention it because I know of those that are really defensive as youngsters (and the odd one as an adult).

[sockSnek]

Yeah I've heard about them being nippy pretty much everywhere. I've read every care sheet I could find and watched pretty much every video on youtube featuring JCPs. They're sooooo gorgeous.

The one I handled was totally chill once it was out of the cage. Not sure about inside though, since they took it out with a hook. I'll probably get one of those. I reeeeaaally hope someone doesn't buy him or his clutchmate before I can convince Boyfriend to stop worrying. It's making me a little anxious. If I could spend my days in front of that enclosure and bite anyone who looks at them, I probably would. I don't know if he understands how badly I want this snake.

[aaron_cg]

Yeah, carpets can have an enthusiastic response to food shall we say. I'd avoid chopsticks!

I echo what Andy says about them being nippy also. Mine hasn't shown any sign of even thinking about striking me but I mention it because I know of those that are really defensive as youngsters (and the odd one as an adult).

I unfortunately had the odd one until she passed away. Behaved more like an elapid. Cantankerous old thing I hated to work with and miss now that she's gone.

[dannybgoode]

They have an albino male in my favourite reptile store that is just 2 1/2' of hatred. They've had him ages because they won't sell him to someone who couldn't handle him. Even in the viv you can see he's just daring you to open it so he can strike.

Permanently ready to strike!

I'd actually be tempted to take him on now.

[sockSnek]

I would maybe pass on that snake. :)

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Hopefully I actually get the little guy.