Please look over a newbie's checklist!

In some ways, jungle carpets are actually easier to keep than balls. They're nowhere near as fussy about food and they don't require as much humidity. You will need a different cage setup in the future, and they start out a little nippy as babies, but most of the time they calm down.

If you go to www.acreptiles.com he has some really good information on carpet python care :gj:

Thanks for the link. There is a local Carpet breeder, and he has Jungles and IJs.

I hate to end up not getting a BP after getting all this advice from BP owners on a BP site, but the Carpet might just be the better chioce for me at the moment.

Well, I grabbed a 100w IR bulb and a reflector today to deal with the ambient temps in the tank. With the heat light, I might swap the 11x17 UTH for another 8x8 that I already have. This gives me two 4w 8x8 UTHs and a 100w heat lamp to bring up my 67 degree-ish ambient temp.

Having said that, after doing some more reading and considering what my ambient temps are like, I've also put a hold on a hatchling female JCP. I think that the JCP will do better with the lower ambient temps and the reduced humidity that goes with it. I also think that a species known to be tricky eaters is not necessarily the best snake for a first time keeper. I know JCPs are more nippy but I've lived with parrots for the last fifteen years. A bite from a JCP will have nothing on the damage caused by an angry Amazon...

I know she'll outgrow the 29g in about 2 years, so at that point, if I'm still loving snakes, I'll get a BP for this tank.

Thank you for your help! I hope I haven't betrayed the BP brother/sisterhood :)

:P I have never ever kept a reptile in my life. One day I went out and bought a Ball Python (Yup after reading hours and hours and setting up the tank and getting everything ready first of course) and mine has had no trouble eating since I bought him. I believe it is really a hit or miss with that. I am a first time owner with a BP and lovin every minute of it :P but hey if another type looks more appealing to you by all means :) and I dont think you have betrayed us.

I'm not naive enough to think that this will be my first and only snake anyhow. A BP may still be in my future, and sooner than I think :D

Thanks to all of you who offered advice. I'm setting up my enclosure today, and I've started a thread over on the Morelia forum if anyone wants to see it and follow along with my first snake experience!

Here's the thread.