New Snake Mum

[Sarah999]

Hi guys! I am a very new snake mum, I brought my very first carpet python home today. Her name is Jupiter and she is still only a hatchling. I have been researching and preparing for months but now that I have her home I have one concern. I expected that she'd be a bit grumpy and wouldn't trust me right away and she has only been home for about 8 hours or so, but she hasn't let me anywhere near her. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that she will come around and maybe some tips for helping her to trust me. Thanks!

[ClockwerkBonnet]

Welcome to the forum, Sarah! Give your snake a few days or so to settle down.

[craigafrechette]

It's very important to let her settle in. Hold off on handling for a few weeks.
Try to put yourself in her "shoes". She's a baby who was taken out of the only works she new and moved to a whole new world. She's stressed. Let her settle in.

The most important thing now is to focus on husbandry and make sure she's eating.

You'll have 20+ years to handle the snake.
At this point, everything, including you, is a predator to her. Once she's settled in, used to the new surroundings and smells and eating, then start slowly acclimating her to you. Short, 5-10 minute handling sessions once or twice a week. Gradually increase frequency and length of handling sessions.

[Aaron_S]

Baby carpet pythons are notoriously nippy. Get it feeding and then begin a regular handling schedule. Be prepared for some nips, in particular when removing the snake from the enclosure.

[toddnbecka]

I have 3 carpet pythons. First one was baby a jungle/cross, and not a bit nippy. Next one was an IJ hatching, and that one was a holy terror. Struck at literally anything that came near, even a stick if I was using one to pick him up. Took several months of leaving that one alone with very brief handling once weekly to get from defensive to flighty when handled. Very gradually he calmed down with time and size as he grew larger, now no problem at all, and while not generally fond of handling doesn't seem to mind it particularly. Most recent was a female baby jungle, and she's just as easygoing as the first one. Bites from baby snakes aren't usually painful, though sometimes I still jump back when one strikes, lol.
More recently I picked up a baby Amazon tree boa. They're also notorious for being nippy/defensive babies, and both bit me as soon as the seller at the show handed the two of them to me. Surprisingly to me, the bites were actually a little painful and drew a couple drops of blood, lol. ATB's have longer teeth than most snakes to penetrate bird feathers. I still use a hook to pick that one up, but once he/she is out of the tub doesn't strike or seem nervous. Pythons and ATB's have heat sensing organs around their mouths, and will also strike at warmth. This ATB has struck toward the ceramic heat bulb hanging above the tub a couple times, though fortunately never made contact. If you'll be feeding your baby f/t mice or rat pinks and it doesn't seem interested it's best to put the thawed item into a plastic sandwich bag, seal it shut, and float it on a pan of very warm water for about 10 minutes to warm it up to trigger a feeding response.

[Sarah999]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the input! She's eating well and has no problems exploring her tank so I'm not worried about that side of things anymore. She is still nippy and defensive but it's good to hear that some of you have had similar experiences with your snakes who have then calmed as they got older. We've set up a regular handling schedule and she's most defensive when we're getting her out of the tank but relatively ok while she's being held. I think it'll just take a bit of time and getting used to each other

[EL Ziggy]

Glad to hear all is going well with your new carpet Sarah. They typically calm down fairly quickly. Give her a little while to settle in, and a few more meals, and she'll be putty in your hands in not time . Share pics when you can.