Irian Jaya Carpet Python and Ball Python comparison

bubs · 08-17-13, 09:45 PM

Hey everyone! I've been looking into buying a pet snake for the longest time and I'm stuck in between these two. I was hoping I could get a little help.

I know ball pythons are a typical recommended beginner snake and honestly, I thought this was the snake for me until I discovered carpet pythons. I know irian jaya's can get bigger than balls but not by that much.

I'm wondering what snake you personally enjoyed keeping as a pet more, as well as which one required more care? Housing isn't a problem, I just want to make sure that the snake I choose will be worthwhile.

I heard balls can be quite boring after a while and that carpets are usually more active. Any comments would be great.

franks · 08-17-13, 10:06 PM

I have both an Irian Jaya, and a bunch of ball pythons. They are very different snakes. For starters, you should know that Irian Jayas are not really bigger than Ball Pythons. Irian Jayas are much more slender and a 5' IJ can be worn like a bracelet. As far as size goes, IJ's are smaller than Ball Pythons. They may get to the same length or even exceed the length of a ball python, but they are smaller snakes in weight and girth.

Here are a few other differences between the two that I have noticed:
Irian Jayas are more active than ball pythons

Irian Jayas display better than ball pythons (they love to climb and will hang out in the open more)

Ball Pythons will "sit still" more so than an IJ. Alot of people want a lap snake. A ball python is more of a lap snake than an IJ.

IJs have better feeding responses than ball pythons, but it can be tougher to switch them to rats

Some IJ's are nippy as hatchlings, most ball pythons are pretty shy or "docile" as babys

I have not kept either species in bad conditions, but I believe that an Irian Jaya would be more forgiving of husbandry mistakes than a ball python would be. They see a "hardier" species, and in the wild are found in fairly varying climates.

Ball Pythons have many different and affordable morphs to choose from, the only natural IJ morph is the granite gene and is very expensive. You can also get an IJ crossed with the Jaguar gene (like mine) but it is not a pure IJ

bubs · 08-17-13, 10:13 PM

Oops, I should've been more specific. By bigger I meant longer. Which do you think would be better for a beginner? I'll admit I'm a little bit intimidated by the size of an Irian, since I know they can grow over 5 ft (I'd get a male), but if it's an overall more enjoyable species to keep, I would rather have one.

Mikoh4792 · 08-17-13, 10:14 PM

I have both carpet pythons and ball pythons

This is just my opinion but I don't really see ball pythons as pets. They just hide all day and don't do much. I do however like handling them and feeding them(My ball pythons have great feeding responses).

My carpets are definitely display snakes. They never hide and are always resting in the canopy of the cage(branches, ledges, plants..etc). My carpets are also very docile but they are a bit more high-strung when it comes to handling. They can freak out if I touch them on the sides and they don't stop moving.

My suggestion would be to go to an expo or reptile shop and see for yourself.

Here are a few pics of my carpets doing what they normally do on a daily basis. They will hang out on the logs under the heat lamp.

franks · 08-17-13, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

My suggestion would be to go to an expo or reptile shop and see for yourself.

Fantastic Idea. I like it alot.

sweatshirt · 08-17-13, 10:25 PM

Welcome bubs. I'm the one who suggested this forum on YA. I wasn't trying to come off as a snob, by the way. On YA there are way too many stupid questions (yours was the first actually intelligent one I've seen in a while) so I sometimes answer kind of rudely on there. Anyways, welcome. xD

exwizard · 08-17-13, 10:48 PM

I don't have any Ball Pythons but I know people who do and my roommate breeds them so yeah, I'm exposed to them a lot. I do have a couple of Irian Jayas though and I can tell you based on what I've seen in both. Irian Jayas are more active, are better eaters and are prettier than Balls. (the last point is my opinion of course) Of all the Carpet locales out there, Irian Jayas are the smaller ones and definitely more slender than a Ball. Both Mikoh and franks make great points about both species and describe them both pretty accurately. The only difference in my experience with Irian Jayas is that mine are pretty calm and while still active, don't really "freak out" when touched in the wrong places. I think you will enjoy the Irian Jayas more if you go that way but again, that is my opinion.

Mikoh4792 · 08-17-13, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

The only difference in my experience with Irian Jayas is that mine are pretty calm and while still active, don't really "freak out" when touched in the wrong places. I think you will enjoy the Irian Jayas more if you go that way but again, that is my opinion.

Right I should mention not all carpets are that way. I am only speaking about the carpets that I have in particular(which is only two.( One IJ and a jungle). They just seem to be more sensitive(sensitive to touch) than other snakes.

marvelfreak · 08-18-13, 01:48 AM

I think what it comes down to is do you like Carpet or Balls. lol
Carpets= manly snake
Balls = girly snake

smy_749 · 08-18-13, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

I think what it comes down to is do you like Carpet or Balls. lol
Carpets= manly snake
Balls = girly snake

lolllllll haven't heard that one before

h3h · 08-18-13, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

I think what it comes down to is do you like Carpet or Balls. lol
Carpets= manly snake
Balls = girly snake

Haha, I'm not really into balls either, but this forum has put carpets in my top 5 non-venomous...They are astounding creatures.

- h3

Jack C · 08-18-13, 08:56 AM

I never see my royal during the day, at night he is only active. Handles and feeds well.

bubs · 08-18-13, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

My carpets are also very docile but they are a bit more high-strung when it comes to handling. They can freak out if I touch them on the sides and they don't stop moving.

Are they easy to handle though? I don't mind a snake that's more active but if it's constantly trying to get away that could be an issue. I've handled some royals but never a carpet. I'll go to my local herp shop. Thanks for the help!

Quote:

Originally Posted by exwizard

The only difference in my experience with Irian Jayas is that mine are pretty calm and while still active, don't really "freak out" when touched in the wrong places.

Thanks a lot, they sound like a great snake to keep and it's nice to hear most are quite calm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by franks

Irian Jayas are much more slender and a 5' IJ can be worn like a bracelet. As far as size goes, IJ's are smaller than Ball Pythons. They may get to the same length or even exceed the length of a ball python, but they are smaller snakes in weight and girth.

This is very helpful. How much larger would they get than 5'? I'd for sure get a male that's pure IJ. The length intimidates me a bit but I realize they aren't as thick.

Mikoh4792 · 08-18-13, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubs

Are they easy to handle though? I don't mind a snake that's more active but if it's constantly trying to get away that could be an issue. I've handled some royals but never a carpet. I'll go to my local herp shop. Thanks for the help!

Very easy to handle. When I said that I didn't mean they are constantly trying to get away. I meant they are more alert and aware of what is going on. My carpets "keep me on my toes" more so than my ball pythons.

Quote:

This is very helpful. How much larger would they get than 5'? I'd for sure get a male that's pure IJ. The length intimidates me a bit but I realize they aren't as thick.

Even a female IJ will not get that big. The average adult size for them is 4-6 feet with females usually growing towards the 5-6 ft range. They slender for their length. A 6 ft carpet python will not be as big as a 6 ft boa constrictor. If you see a 6 ft carpet python curled up in a corner you wouldn't even guess it to be that big.

franks · 08-18-13, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubs

This is very helpful. How much larger would they get than 5'? I'd for sure get a male that's pure IJ. The length intimidates me a bit but I realize they aren't as thick.

Not much bigger than five. a 6' pure IJ would be huge! most are between 4 and 5 feet. (keep in mind that if you get a Jaguar gene IJ, than you can end up with a bigger snake. The higher purity % of IJ, the smaller the snake would be in theory. The Jaguar gene is from coastal carpets who get to around 9' and can push towards 11'.)

I am telling you, the length does not make the snake big at all. It is truly hard to conceptualize, but its true. Here is a pic of my girl when she was 4' 1".