I want a new snake...help

[FLAherper]

Hey guys this is my second thread on the forum! Well I have two ball pythons one male spider drake and one female pastel cloe. They are wonderful animals and plan on breeding them later this year. BUt I want more . So Ive been researching pet snakes with medium care requirements and between 5-8 feet in length and came up on carpet pythons. They are really intresting to me and would be a little bit bigger than my balls I just want some advice on this species or an others you think would be better. Are they agressive? Relative size? Reliable breeder? Any help is much appreciated thanks

[mainbutter]

Carpet pythons are by far my favorite species.

I'd say the available information on them is a bit more complicated than ball pythons, but that really is simply because there is more to them than ball pythons. There are numerous localities and subspecies, subspecies-specific morphs, designer intergrades/mutts, etc. that makes the term "carpet python" a bit more general than the term "ball python" in describing a particular animal. In fact one separate species Morelia bredli used to be called "centralian carpet python" or "bredli carpet python" before being raised to species status, so you could argue that the term "carpet python" in fact covers multiple separate species.

IN GENERAL* they are easy to care for, great eaters, and tolerant of wider temperature and humidity ranges than many other species in the family Pythonidae. They are regularly bred all over the US and Europe, as export from Australia has been illegal since the 70s. I have no personal experience with breeding this species yet, but I would say that the regularity with which they are bred with suggests that this species is fairly easy to breed.

As far as aggression goes.. hatchlings are known to be nippy, and adults are known to be decently active but gentle and super easy to handle. From my limited experience, I'd say that young carpet python nippiness is overrated, and they are much more reluctant to bite than their reputation suggests. I've never been bitten by a carpet python, although I have one particular 2010 who would likely tag me if I gave him the opportunity. I handle my biggest guy very regularly, and he does well even being handled by people with little to no snake experience.

Size depends on many factors, in particular locality and subspecies. Carpets are known for being long and slender, so although some individuals attain impressive lengths, keep in mind that they are probably much more manageable than you realize, and weight is a pretty important factor to consider besides just overall length. The Irian Jaya subspecies is fairly small, while diamonds and coastals regularly top 8 foot once they get some years behind them. Jungle carpet pythons have potential for size, as I've seen pictures of multiple 9 footers, but they seem to be fairly rare. My 6+ foot male coastal weighs less than 10 lbs, but older and heavily fed (i.e. obese) female coastals have topped 30 lbs and more. Many of the US stock of coastals tends to be a more northern variety that lack the substantial size that the southern variants are known for and give coastals their reputation for growing large for carpet pythons.

My first suggestion is to do a LOT of reading. Hit up google, read ALL the carpet python threads on this forum dating back two years. Go make an account at moreliapythons.com which is a great herp forum that particularly gets a ton of carpet python traffic. There is an abundance of information on this species, but that is because there is a ton to learn. For a relatively easy medium sized snake to keep, they are surprisingly varied and complex.

*diamond carpet pythons require more specialized care than the other common subspecies.

[pastorj]

I like the carpets but also the Dumerials and hogg islands...
Dumerials have the coolest coloring in person...its hard to appreciate in a picture.
Hogg islands are just cool..and have an interesting history...

[FLAherper]

Carpet pythons are by far my favorite species.

I'd say the available information on them is a bit more complicated than ball pythons, but that really is simply because there is more to them than ball pythons. There are numerous localities and subspecies, subspecies-specific morphs, designer intergrades/mutts, etc. that makes the term "carpet python" a bit more general than the term "ball python" in describing a particular animal. In fact one separate species Morelia bredli used to be called "centralian carpet python" or "bredli carpet python" before being raised to species status, so you could argue that the term "carpet python" in fact covers multiple separate species.

IN GENERAL* they are easy to care for, great eaters, and tolerant of wider temperature and humidity ranges than many other species in the family Pythonidae. They are regularly bred all over the US and Europe, as export from Australia has been illegal since the 70s. I have no personal experience with breeding this species yet, but I would say that the regularity with which they are bred with suggests that this species is fairly easy to breed.

As far as aggression goes.. hatchlings are known to be nippy, and adults are known to be decently active but gentle and super easy to handle. From my limited experience, I'd say that young carpet python nippiness is overrated, and they are much more reluctant to bite than their reputation suggests. I've never been bitten by a carpet python, although I have one particular 2010 who would likely tag me if I gave him the opportunity. I handle my biggest guy very regularly, and he does well even being handled by people with little to no snake experience.

Size depends on many factors, in particular locality and subspecies. Carpets are known for being long and slender, so although some individuals attain impressive lengths, keep in mind that they are probably much more manageable than you realize, and weight is a pretty important factor to consider besides just overall length. The Irian Jaya subspecies is fairly small, while diamonds and coastals regularly top 8 foot once they get some years behind them. Jungle carpet pythons have potential for size, as I've seen pictures of multiple 9 footers, but they seem to be fairly rare. My 6+ foot male coastal weighs less than 10 lbs, but older and heavily fed (i.e. obese) female coastals have topped 30 lbs and more. Many of the US stock of coastals tends to be a more northern variety that lack the substantial size that the southern variants are known for and give coastals their reputation for growing large for carpet pythons.

My first suggestion is to do a LOT of reading. Hit up google, read ALL the carpet python threads on this forum dating back two years. Go make an account at moreliapythons.com which is a great herp forum that particularly gets a ton of carpet python traffic. There is an abundance of information on this species, but that is because there is a ton to learn. For a relatively easy medium sized snake to keep, they are surprisingly varied and complex.

*diamond carpet pythons require more specialized care than the other common subspecies.

Wow lot of advice thanks alot. I would probally get a female irian jaya or a male jungle carpet. I think theyre beautiful snakes and want to know where you got yours? I cant find a breeder with more than 2 in stock anywhere. And any really good care sheets I came across this one http://www.acreptiles.com/main/index...=81&Itemid=140 and think its detailed and have read this forums care sheet. Any good terrariums out there Looking to maybe get a 2 new ones for my bps when/if I get a carpet

[FLAherper]

Wow alot of info thanks alot. And your right I would probally get a male jcp or female irian jaya. And where did you get yours? Also Ive done alot of googling and looked at this forums care sheet and http://www.acreptiles.com/main/index...=81&Itemid=140 this one looks pretty good. Any other advice on tank size and setup. Also any good terrariums Im looking to put my bps in 2 new ones when I get the newest addition. SO Im pretty much all in and want to get one so any reputable breeders with snakes in stock? THanks alot

[mainbutter]

I based much of my initial carpet python care on AC's carpet python care sheet, mostly because it was the most accessible care sheet and well written/presented. Over time I've modified my setups through personal observation and style, and based on talking to other keepers.

With ball pythons you'll find tons of people who have identical setups.. identical racks from the same manufacturer, identical tubs, identical thermostats, identical substrate, identical temperatures, and even identical hides and water dishes. This has lead itself to having dozens of identical care sheets on the web.

For carpet pythons, it seems that every single person keeps theirs just a bit differently, and so care sheets are surprisingly varied. I think this lends itself to the idea that carpet pythons are tolerant of a wide range of environment criteria, and copying a care sheet may not be needed or even a good idea. I use the experience of other keepers and my own experience as a guide for decision making.

My first carpet python I raised up as a yearling in a 20G long, using a UTH and heat lamp with a 40 watt CHE for heating. Once this snake just started looking like he needed some more room, I upgraded him to his adult 4x2x2. This worked out great, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these cage sizes as the only two you need for a single snake.

In general, my adult enclosures are 4x2x2 Animal Plastics cages with flexwatt heat providing a hot spot. I don't let hot spots get any higher than 90 in summer, and try to shoot for 10 degrees or so between basking temperatures and ambient air temperatures. I let my adult temperatures dip into mid to low 80s for basking and low 70s for ambient air temperatures in winter, even a little cooler for a couple weeks just after the solstice. Cooling jungles/IJs/coastals differs from keeper to keeper, but I decided to let my temperatures drop this past winter and see how it went.

My most recent pair, two 2010s I picked up this past fall, are being raised a bit differently. I set them up in 2'x18''x2' exo-terra planted vivariums. I've always wanted to use planted display vivs to raise up arboreal or semi-arboreal snakes, and it's working out great. With 150 watt CHEs hanging above the screen tops, I provide ambient air temps and basking spots that change with height. I love seeing these guys making use of perches and different cage areas to thermoregulate.

I provide climbing furniture to all my carpets. The young'ns also get perches. I give hides to the ones that use 'em, I find they're not needed for adults but would consider making a hide/nest box combo for a breeding female. I find my 2010s in the vivariums make use of corners, overhanging driftwood branches, shaded areas next to large-leafed plants, and even a pseudo-burrow to hide in just as much as the actual "hides".

In short, these snakes will be as active and INTERactive with their enviroment as you let them, through how you choose to set them up.

Feeding is a great topic for debate. I fed my first carpet python like most of my other pythons I've kept.. every 5-7 days while young and gradually moving towards every 7 days and eventually a little longer. Right now he's on a 14 day feeding schedule (or sometimes a few days longer), and also gets all the "small size" or larger rats that my other snakes refuse. There may be a bit of a consensus that slender, smaller males are better breeders, but I don't plan on breeding him and he's more of a pet.

My young 2010s are being grown up a bit more conservatively than my coastal. I made this decision in particular because they have quite a bit of diamond blood in them, and as such I'm splitting the difference a bit between jungle/coastal type care and diamond care, with spacing out feedings a bit more.

An important note about feeding: I've read enough horror stories of carpet pythons who are started on mice becoming "mousers", and never converting to rats. I just don't like the idea of feeding 10-20 mice to a single adult snake every week or two. I've never fed anything except rats to my carpet pythons, and i started my hatchlings on a single pinky per feeding. I had to order rat pinks online because I could not find a local source.

I've been rambling for quite a bit and will just stop here and let you ask more questions if needed

[mainbutter]

A tip on care: With any new species, it's a great idea to talk in great detail with whoever you pick up your first new animal from about their husbandry practices. Obviously they've done a good enough job to raise up and breed some animals, and so much of what they do should work for you.

As a customer, they have a vested interest in your ability to provide good care for a newly acquired pet

[alohareptiles]

A tip on care: With any new species, it's a great idea to talk in great detail with whoever you pick up your first new animal from about their husbandry practices. Obviously they've done a good enough job to raise up and breed some animals, and so much of what they do should work for you.

As a customer, they have a vested interest in your ability to provide good care for a newly acquired pet

x2...Well said...A great deal, doesn't mean you're getting a great snake...Like so many other things, you get what you pay for so finding the best "garage sale" deal could be a diamond in the rough or a dud in the tank...Unless you know the breeder personally, then bro-deals happen...

[FLAherper]

x2...Well said...A great deal, doesn't mean you're getting a great snake...Like so many other things, you get what you pay for so finding the best "garage sale" deal could be a diamond in the rough or a dud in the tank...Unless you know the breeder personally, then bro-deals happen...

Thanks alot everybody lot of help. Ive seen 2 nice snakes one from reptiles by AH a nice red tri stripe and one beautiful yellow and black one from bytheshorereptiles both are right around 200 dollars and both are nice guys to comminucate with. Now your putting your snakes in tall tanks since their semi arboreal? How are they liking it?

[FLAherper]

Thanks alot everbody lot of help. Im deciding between a nice tri stripe red from reptiles by ah or a another nice male 6ft snake by bytheshorereptiles who is local to me. They are both at around 200 dollars. So your putting your snakes in tall tanks because their semiarboreal how are they liking it? ANd also what the heck is a jaguar. Thanks alot