Taking the leap?

[catawhat75]

I think I am going to take the leap on a JCP. Can anyone tell me what the best display cage size/type to go for if/when I decide to go for it? How much different care wise are they from BPs or a Macklots? I know that most carpets tend to be on the nippy side as babies but are there ones that are more calm than others?
Oh and thanks to all that have posted pics of their snakes, it's all your fault! Please tell me they aren't as addictive as Ball Pythons

[DutchHerp]

Hi,

I only have one cheynei so I hope I can at least be of some help.

I keep him in a 3x2x2 Animal Plastics terrarium with a radiant heat panel.. and he's an adult male, about 6ft.

If you can, you could go with something bigger..like 4x2 or even larger.

My cheynei doesn't move around all that much actually. Rarely see him cruising around, usually just visiting his favorite spots.

I keep him at a hot spot of 90* on the basking shelf, and about 80* all over the bottom of the cage, with cooler ambients on the cool side (78*-ish). I have different basking levels, ranging from lower 80s upwards.

They are awesome display snakes, any Morelia pretty much! They are just as addictive as balls, if not more.

I got my cheynei as an adult, so can't comment on the nippy-ness. Most will probably calm down with age though.

All in all, if you have the money and space, you could get them a very nice, big display cage. They can also be happy with a 3x2x2, as many keepers have them in these type of cages.

Oh, one important thing especially on cheyneis:

DO NOT GET A CHEYNEI THAT IS FEEDING ON MICE NOR SHOULD YOU EVER GIVE IT A MOUSE

This can cause addiction and lots of effort to attempt them to back on rats.

They are great snakes, I love every single one I see, and I think you'll be quite happy.

Hope that helped a bit.

[DavidG]

All my carpets eat mice, Matt.


A mouse eater carpet will be smaller than one that eats rats. You will have to feed multiple food items to an adult vs one med or large rat. However, it seems that in other Morelia genus feeding mice can create better egg follicles.

[DavidG]

BTW Cat, to have anything like my guys it's going to take a bit of research. You will pay more for a breeder with a reputation, but as you can see, it's worth it. Carpets tend to "mutt out" when they get older. Which means all the yellow dulls and black freckling appears. On moreliapythons.net I believe I saw an Andrew Hare animal for around 300 shipped. You can spend between 80 and 200 at a show from a no name guy and end up with crap. You are gonna pay for a name, but that name is on years of producing stunning animals and backing them up with all the help you could need.

[Colin Vestrand]

Please tell me they aren't as addictive as Ball Pythons

that would simply be a cruel joke....................

[DutchHerp]

LOL at Colin.

[catawhat75]

Thanks for the input. I will research for at least a couple months before I get anything. I have to say I am leaning towards something like the Jag David posted. Paying a higher price for a snake like that is worth every penny. That was one of the most stunning snakes I have ever seen, I can only imagine what it looks like in person.

[DavidG]

The pics make it look better