A few questions from a beginner

[chrisf]

Hi Guys,
After doing some research last year I decided to get a carpet python and im loving it. I bought him in september and I think he is about 10 months old now but not 100% sure. I have attached a picture so if anyone is good at aging carpets by sight, that would be great.

Im also interested in which type he is. He was just advertised as a carpet python and nothing more.

The main reason behind my post is that he hasnt eaten in 5 weeks. He was eating every 1 - 2 weeks but he has gone off. He is striking but then leaving it. I have checked everything. Temp, humidity, changed his cage slightly giving him more hides and a bigger water bathing dish but he still isn't eating. I dont think his cage is to big either?

He is active and very mobile in the evening so im guessing he feels ok. Any ideas?

Oh he hasnt shed since I have had him either. Not to sure how often he should shed? Im guessing this is probably the issue.


Cheers,
Chris

[Ms. Medusa]

Hi Chris, and welcome to the forums :) I'm new as well, but know my way around a carpet or two.


5 weeks is not really all that long in the snake world imho, and if you have checked all the temps, environ, and you are seeing no signs of mites, or illnesses, my guess would be that your boy is going into shed, isn't hungry, hasn't pooed recently or...... realizes somehow it is breeding season and is thinking about other things....or a million other things that us humans have no clue that snakes think about!

He looks like a real beauty though! Congrats on your new buddy!

[chrisf]

Thanks for that. Would you reccomend increasing the humidity to quicken the shed?

Any idea on what type of carpet he is?

Cheers,

[Lankyrob]

What is the humidity in the viv at the miment? Chances are thatit is jsut breeding season fasting and that he will docsame thing next year :)

[KORBIN5895]

He hasn't shed in the last four months? That seems a bit odd for a young snake. What size prey are you feeding it?

I highly doubt it has anything to do with breeding if he really is only 10 months.

[Luis A. Reyes]

Snakes sometimes fast for no reason even if you have all the husbandry right. And just because you eat everyday doesnt really mean he has to eat when u want him to. Also dont offer food the next day after he/ she refuses it. That can stress them out and make them fast longer. Wait atleast 5 days before offering again.

[shaunyboy]

He hasn't shed in the last four months? That seems a bit odd for a young snake. What size prey are you feeding it?

I highly doubt it has anything to do with breeding if he really is only 10 months.

what are your hot end temps ?

what type of heat source are you using ?

Carpets shed perfectly at UK room humidity,so humidity should not be an issue mate

what are you feeding him ?

Carpet Males can be sexually mature at 18 months old,he may be a little older than you think,so it may be down to breeding season,or it could be down to a drop in ambient air temperatures,with it being winter

he could also be coming up to a shed,some of my Carpets eat during shed,some don't

can you get a full body shot of him...

its hard to tell from the pictures,but from what i can see,there may be Irian Jaya influence in him

cheers shaun