Pondering on a Carpet

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Hey all,

Im pondering on getting a carpet or two. Not sure what kind yet. A smaller type probably(meaning trying to keep it under 8'). Im thinking jungle or Irian Jaya. I know Irians can breed earlier. Im totally into a jag or two aswell if they are price right. Yes, I know they can surpass 8 feet. Anyways, let me know what ya'll think! Thanks.

Chris

[Jeff_Favelle]

Irians can breed earlier than what?

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Sorry, I meant like earlier than jungles(I believe) and just compared to other snakes, relatively earlier(as young as 18 months, both sexes, though not recommended).

C.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I've bred Jungles at 18 months. I wasn't aware that variegata had an earlier maturation than cheynei. Any chance that you remember where you saw or heard this? I'd be very interested to know.

Thanks.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

I read this on Henry P's website. Well I read that Irians can breed young and i guess I made an assumption on the fact that they can breed at an earlier age but I guess im wrong.

Jeff: what would you sudgest I go with?

C.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Go with whatever you like. IJ's are great! I love mine but some people prefer Jungles and others Coastals... But why ask us when it's YOU who has to keep the snake?!?!? :D

As fas are Jungles vs Irians, same price, same care, similar size... look around and see what's available and figure out what you really want... or get BOTH! :)

[gonesnakee]

Go with what ya like. The Jungles & IJs are quite similar in husbandry etc. as are most all carpets. Coastals are usually cheaper but get bigger. If you are feeling richer go for a Centrailian or even a Jaguar as their husbandry is the same, but their price tags aren't LOL I wouldn't doubt it with the introduction of the Jags that the price of Coastals starts to increase also in the near future. No matter what you choose Carpets are great snakes. If you attend the Red Deer show there should be a good selection of various specimens of JCPs & maybe some IJs & Coastals. Mark

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Well I am going to be at the Red Deer show but I dont think I will have any money for 3 months at least. LOL(im so poor!). Haha I spent it all on snakes already. Well I'm thinking an IJ or a Jag. We'll see! If I do have money by the Red deer show, we'll see whats available and how much money I have. Thanks!

C.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

BTW: Pardon my stupidity but what is a Centrailian?:D

Thanks,

Cheers!

C.

[Zoe]

Centralians are Morelia spilota bredli (aka Bredli Pythons or Bredli Carpet Pythons). They have the reputation of being VERY tame, even in the wild (not that ijs or jungles are particularly vicious). They are also a gorgeous red!

[Big_V]

Bredl's are awesome looking carpets. I actually like coastals that have an almost whitish look against the black. Super Killer contrast they have. IJ's are my second favorite. Just do some pic searching and find out what one you like the best. Good luck.

[Tim_Cranwill]

LOL... well if you're poor, like you say you are, you'll have to save a LOOOOOOOONG time for a jag... :D

IJ's and Jungles can cost anywhere from $200 and up depending on sex, color/pattern and age... :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

Definitely bro. All things being equal, go with what your eyes like better!!! They grow about the same rate, reach the same size, need the same caging requirements, eat the same foods, cost about the same, etc etc etc. So the deciding factor, thank God, is which one LOOKS BETTER to YOUR eyes!! How cool is that?

And you really can't go wrong with either choice. Raising a baby Carpet Python to adulthood is such a rewarding experience, it should be mandatory in this hobby!!

All the best,

[Jeff_Favelle]

And Centrilians are NOT a spilota. They are a separate species all on their own (Morelia bredli)

[Yasser]

I just wanted to say that both Jungles and IJs can breed at 18 months. HOWEVER, that does not mean they will. That is the extreme of the earliest reproductive age. While they may breed young, getting a female to ovulate at such a young age is much more rare. And if they do, many breeders have noted high infertility rates in those clutches. Our IJs don't usually begin laying eggs until the age of 3 or more usually. And it would probably be better in the long run to let them grow a bit larger anyway.
Whatever the case, why are you in such a hurry? I mean no offense but if you want to breed snakes sooner, try corn snakes or another colubrid species. Get the species that appeals to you most for what they are. That will ensure that you will enjoy your purchase for many years to come.

-Yasser

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

I didnt say I was in a hurry, did it? I dont know how that came about. Im definetly going to check out those Centrailians! They sound awesome! Im actually just poor right now because I have plans for the few hundred in my bank(MORE SNAKES! YES!). LOL. I am actually going to start making many thousand a month soon(HOPEFULLY!). Anyways, thanks for all your opinions! Great, now my options are even more varied, with Centrailians added into the mix! LOL.

Thanks again!

C.

[Jeff_Favelle]

You'll need more than a few hundred for Bredl's. Try a few thousand. I wouldn't get a Bredli for a FIRST Carpet. Not a wise move unless you have a solid set of stones (gnads, nuts, peas) or a money tree out back.

[JeffT]

Just curious, how is a 14 yr old going to be making thousands a month? Do you plan on some kind of mass breeding operation of snakes?

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Im starting a feeder breeding operation. I have actual numbers and know what I need to. Im not a misinformed child, I know my chances with the markets, my prices, and so far it has been smooth sailing. I've got a bank that is probably going to give me a loan. I could just get a job and make that much.

C.

[Yasser]

Chris,
Let me explain.
In your first post, you pointed out that you had heard that IJs will breed earlier. I assumed that you thought this was a plus to the species and I was merely pointing out that you should not count on it.

On another note, just as extreme as it is for an IJ or Jungle to breed at 18 months successfully, it it also possible (although extreme) for an IJ to reach 8 feet as well. We have one and so does Karel Bergmann in CAN. These are the two largest known specimens for the Irian Jaya Carpet.

I wish you much luck with breeding rodents....we all know the world (at least the herp world) could use a few more rodents.
We produce about 400-600 rats/month and it always seems like we need more!

-Yasser

[Jeff_Favelle]

Carpets eat rodents like fat kids eat Smarties. Its nothing for some of them to eat (and bask like crazy) 3-4 times in a week and put on NO weight. Inefficient bastards!! LOL!

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

LOL. Well, I wont be breeding rats(illegal, DANG! LOL), but i will be breeding mice, rabbits, superworms, silkworms, and small amounts of gerbils, waxworms, and mealworms. LOL, I will have A LOT of rodents. And several mouths to feed around here. LOL.

Yasser: Thanks for the clarification. I thought that you may have been thinking that. Im going to be producing about 7000 mice in periods of 20 days. LOL, lots! Those are HUGE IJ's!

Well thanks for the wishes of luck and I must head off to bed now(parents, argh! lol).

Cheers!

C.

BTW: Once I have enough money, Im probably going to go with a pair of IJ's and either Jags or Centrailians.