all i need to know about getting a jumgle python

[SirHiss]

Hi I am getting my first ever snake (jungle carpet python) and I would just like to know some information and advice and some recommended products. I would just like to know everything to keep my snake safe. (lights needed, good substrate,every thing about humidity and so on)I am not experienced and need lots of advice about everything. But I'm not putting a snake in danger by keeping it (I know enough to keep it safe) just need all information I can get.

[Klaire]

Welcome SirHiss, I own a jungle myself and they are such beautiful animals you certainly chose a good type to start with . I just want to put it out there first and foremost these guys are prone to being nippy when they are young. As with any snakes at a young age they are scared from anything and everything but jungles are notorious for having such a nippy start at life however ! given the proper time to get accustomed to their new enclosure and having handling sessions will calm them down in no time and become very tame. My girl was nippy for about a week and a half after she settled in her enclosure but now i can literally even gently touch her on the head and she doesn't flinch etc. Many people will be on this thread soon helping you out with all the other questions you have for enclosure requirements etc but i will tell you what i use/do and you may do the same if you wish . I have my girl on Cocohusk (kritters crumble) substrate for bedding. I do not use lights as i don't want to disrupt her sleeping pattern and i do not use a CHE because 1. They are known for sucking out the moisture in the air (which clearly isnt good for jungles as they need their humidity) and 2. because she is currently in a small enclosure so she wouldn't have a good gradient and the whole enclosure would be too warm (not good obviously) so what i went with is just a heat matt i have it positioned OUTSIDE and underneath the enclosure on the part where her hide is and it is hooked up with a thermostat to regulate the temp and to make sure the heat matt stays at safe temps so i HIGHLY recommend getting a thermostat with ANY heating device . i keep her humidity around 55% she has never had any shedding issues and sheds in whole. (however i also live on the gold coast so that helps) her hot side is around 32 C and cool side roughly 22 C she has always moved between gradients as she pleases so i am never worried about the temps TOO much. To read the temperatures in her enclosure i use a Hygrometer it reads both humidity and temp and you can get those are garden stores etc or if you want the most accurate reading on temps you can purchase a temperature gun . Make sure you provide plenty of HIGH branches etc (however make sure they sit in place securely) as they love to climb. im sure anything i have missed other very informative members on this forum will be able to fill you in. good luck! and i am looking forward to seeing pictures when you get your new scaly baby

[sam]

Hello Sirhiss, Jungle carpet pythons are some of the most attractive snakes in the hobby, like Klaire I use Kritter's Crumble for my carpet. Jungles certainly are nippy when young, so you're always on your toes around them, some JG bloodlines are known to be nippy when adult too, so it might be wise to clarify that with your breeder. A big nippy carpet would put anyone off snakes.

You should be safe to keep your new addition in a plastic tub from Cheap as Chips or IKEA if you're on a budget. That's what I'm doing and once they're older I'm moving them into something nicer. I have a heatmat WITHOUT a thermostat on both of mine, but I have a pin timer that goes on a 15m on/off that keeps the temperature in the 30s most of the time. It's also much cheaper than a thermostat, though I would still strongly recommend one.

Once you first pickup your snake you must refrain from handling it for atleast a week, this gives the new addition time to settle into its environment. you MUST do this, otherwise your snake will be overly stressed and bad tempered. After this time you can start handling your JCP, don't be afraid of being bitten. Baby JCP's can't break the skin and even juveniles don't really hurt. Just stick your hand in, get a few nips and pick that sucker up. You'll be fine, they're not venomous.

I usually put one hide on the cold end of my tubs, this way it encourages them to go out and bask if they want heat. This also helps to build up their confidence and will make them more docile in the long run. Try to give your snake a hide that is small enough for the snake to have most of its body being touched in a tight coil, but not so small to the point of the snake's sides bulging out the ends.

For any carpet python, humidity isn't a massive deal. Carpet pythons are very durable snakes and people who say they need 80%+ humidity is lying, Klaire is right about 50% should be fine but don't worry if it goes below that, a water bowl should be enough to keep the humidity high.

Welcome to the forum, If you have any other questions on things I haven't covered then feel free to ask me.

Cheers, Sam.

PS: Can't wait to see pictures of your baby.

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome and best wishes Hiss. I think you picked a great snake to start with. I've only had my carpets for a few months now but they're a lot of fun to keep. I love these guys. Klaire and Sam pretty much covered all the basics. I'll only add that I think a thermostat is crucial and should be used to control any heat source. I like to give my carpets a temperature gradient of about 32c on the warm side and 24c on the cool side. I have hides on both sides of my enclosures but 2 of my 3 carpets rarely use them. The third I just got yesterday so he's still settling in and hides most of the time. Like the others have said ambient humidity should be fine. I've had no issues with sheds or RI's and my humidity has ranged from 30-65%. You can always mist the enclosure or add a humid hide during the shed process if you want. I've read and heard that young jungles can be nippy but I guess I got lucky, my jungle hasn't struck at me once (yet) . Again, best wishes with your carpet and hopefully you'll post pics when you get him.

[SirHiss]

Whoops I just noticed the spelling on the title,
Anyway thanks for all the answers and I look forward to getting to know more about all your snakes.

[Herpo]

Everyone who has answered has personal experience with carpets. Never fear, you are in good hands!

[SirHiss]

One other thing I would just like to ask about , shedding.

[Herpo]

What do you really want to know about shedding?

Jungles can have trouble shedding in low humidity, but kritters krumble or cypress mulch remedies that very easily. Provide your python with a good amount of branches and climbing equipment to remove the skin and you should be good.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Cheers
Herpo

[Herpo]

If you want to know more about the jungles, follow Klaire's thread progression thread on Mercy, her jullaten jungle. I also have a link to Popeye's progression thread in my sig.

And El Ziggy has a few pics of his jungle around the place!

[sam]

To expand on shedding there's not much to it, as long as the humidity is high enough and there is something for your snake to scratch/rub against most sheds should come clean. If your snake botches a shed then you should soak him in water in a plastic container for a while (15-30 minutes, supervised) then have the snake go though your hands. This helps to remove any stuck shed.

Make sure that the eye-caps come off cleanly too, they can be a real problem to remove without experience, and you can hurt your snake.

[gebon]

You will certainly be satisfied with your JCP. Have just booked my second jungle. A young male (10 months old). Have already an adult female. Almost seven feet long quite sharp lady, but manageable Her cage is 216x60x65cm and the little males cage is 125x50x60cm. His cage isn't ready yet, but it shall be filled with twigs/branches, plastic plants and hideouts. Young jungles are known to be a little bit shyer than other species of carpet pythons.

[Herpo]

Originally Posted by gebon

You will certainly be satisfied with your JCP. Have just booked my second jungle. A young male (10 months old). Have already an adult female. Almost seven feet long quite sharp lady, but manageable Her cage is 216x60x65cm and the little males cage is 125x50x60cm. His cage isn't ready yet, but it shall be filled with twigs/branches, plastic plants and hideouts. Young jungles are known to be a little bit shyer than other species of carpet pythons.

Beautiful Jungle gebon! Yes, they can be very nippy and shy as hatchies, so make sure you handle when you can for short periods of time until it calms down.

[gebon]

Originally Posted by Herpo

Beautiful Jungle gebon! Yes, they can be very nippy and shy as hatchies, so make sure you handle when you can for short periods of time until it calms down.

I know how they are as hatchlings and how to handle them An acquaintance breeds carpet pythons. Just wrote that jungles are known to be shyer than the other species of carpets. When it comes to carpets, are "nippy" just a sign of health

[SirHiss]

Good news I have set a definite date and I am getting my girl/boy this Saturday any reccomendations on what gender to get?
thanks

[Herpo]

Gender doesn't make much different in temperament. Size is really the only difference, and it won't be much. Can't wait to see it, who from?