Do jungle carpets get brighter with age?

[djansen]

like more vibrant yellow?

[MarkS]

Yes and no. I don't have any jungle carpets myself, (I keep queensland carpets) but I know a few people who have them and have had a chance to see them as they grow. They certainly get brighter from their hatchling colors, hatchlings are notoriously dull. I've usually seen them peak at around 3 or so years, then start getting darker as they get older.

[djansen]

Yes and no. I don't have any jungle carpets myself, (I keep queensland carpets) but I know a few people who have them and have had a chance to see them as they grow. They certainly get brighter from their hatchling colors, hatchlings are notoriously dull. I've usually seen them peak at around 3 or so years, then start getting darker as they get older.

thanks, i was looking at some hatchlings and they looked pretty dull like you said. but the parents were pretty bright.

[Charlie Smith]

Yes and no. I don't have any jungle carpets myself, (I keep queensland carpets) but I know a few people who have them and have had a chance to see them as they grow. They certainly get brighter from their hatchling colors, hatchlings are notoriously dull. I've usually seen them peak at around 3 or so years, then start getting darker as they get older.

Pretty much spot on with his answer. I have 4 JCP yearlings from different moms and pops. The best thing to do is to see "current" photos of the parents. Reason is breeders are trying to breed for cleaner brighter adults. Some lines are known for peeking early and darkening and staying dark. One of VPI's lines is known to do this if I recall correctly. All in all, I think the clean ones make very good display snakes and are wonderful to watch brighten with each shed.

Although not the best example for you but this is one of mine Oakley age about 9 months and he didn't look too much different. Matter of fact he was the brightest in his clutch and the brightest of 3 clutches at the AAR table. He stood out so that's why I bought him. Hope his color stays.

[jcp]

Hi

Yes the get a much more yellow. But i think what Charlie Smith its correct some bloodlines are very dark..

i have a male from a German bloodline he is just amazing yellow.

Gr stijn

i think jcp are the nice normale looking carpets because the yellow

[sassygirl221983]

Charlie that is one beautiful snake you have there

[bearhart]

I have a book on australian pythons and it seems that alot of them start out brighter and lose contrast and vibrancy as they get older. That wasn't mentioned for JCPs in particular though.

[bhmorrill]

These pics will give you a bit of an idea. This pair is one of our breeding pairs that have been breeding for us for the last 4 years. Some people on this forum actually have babies from this pairing. We refer to them as our PXP or JBXLilly pairing because they came from Python Pete's line of jungles. Anyway, I wish I had some more pics in between, but these will give you a good idea.

Lilly just after hatching in 2001



Lilly at 6 months old



Lilly as an adult. She is now 6 years old and still has very nice color to her.



JB just after hatching



JB at 6 months old



JB as an adult. He too is 6 yrs old and still holding his nice yellow and black.



You just never know with jungles how they will be, but in general they will peak at about 1-2 yrs old and sometimes deteriorate colorwise from there gaining brown in their yellow areas. I would also strongly suggest anyone looking to get nice jungles to inquire about seeing pics of the parents. As has been said before, if the breeder is hesitant or won't show pics of parents, then more than likely they are FUGLY. Also, make sure you see a good portion of the body and not just a head shot because they usually don't brown up on their heads so sometimes people will just show head shots to help make their adults look better. Anyway, happy hunting to anyone looking to get a nice jungle. It definantly takes some time and some luck, that is why you rarely see trophy jungles for sale because with all the work it takes to get one, once you have one you just don't let it go.