Can a viv be too large for a JCP ?

Just wondering if they freak out like a BP when the enclosure is too big :rolleye2: ?

i've never had that issue... but, i don't think anyone could say it won't be an issue for your snake. i would think if they have a hide they should be fine.

carpets in general are much easier to care for than ball pythons...

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Originally Posted by JibbaJabba

Just wondering if they freak out like a BP when the enclosure is too big :rolleye2: ?

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How old is it? Pretty much when all snakes are young it is best to keep them in a smaller enclosure sutable to their size. It just helps them feel more secure. All the open space can stress them out. Carpets are a hardier snake though. How big is the enclosrue you want to put it in? As long as you supply extra hides and hiding spots for it, there shouldn't be much of a problem. If the enclosure is too big for it you could also block off a potion of the tank to make it smaller, as long as you still keep up proper temperature gradients.

You could always jsut put it in the big tank and as long as it eats and stays healthy you should be fine, but if you have trouble feeding it in there then you could jsut downsize it till it gets big enought though. I think it should be fine though if the tank is setup properly to compinsate for a smaller snake.

Cheers guys, well I don't know how big she is as I haven't bought one yet :)
I just know I want one and we have a reptile show here next month where I intend to pick one up, preferrably a larger one anyway.

The majority of shows tend to have mostly hatchlings-yearlings, but you could get yourself a nice sized subadult or adult. Good luck finding what you want.

When I first bought my hatchlings I put them both in 55gal tanks and both did great. With substrate and leaves it can be a real pain trying to find them! Each snake is different, you just have to try it and see how they handle it.

How do these animals function in the wild without us..:O

No I do not believe an enclosure can be too big for a snake.

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Originally Posted by zackw419

How do these animals function in the wild without us..:O

No I do not believe an enclosure can be too big for a snake.

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In the wild snakes can go to whatever area makes them feel most comfortable. In captivity they don't have that choice to find a new home if they don't feel safe in their current one, that's why people try to make the enclosure makes them feel as secure as possible. A smaller enclosure will do that for a younger snakes because they feel less exposed. A bigger enclosure could also be set up properly to make them feel comfortable, but if done improperly it can easily stress them out.

It's always kind of an argument, personally I think as long as you can maintain the temps where they should be and provide lots of hides, size doesn't matter much. It's easier to start babies out in a tub, nice and cheap until they size up!

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Originally Posted by zackw419

How do these animals function in the wild without us..:O

No I do not believe an enclosure can be too big for a snake.

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I was tempted to use the same argument .. but this ...

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Originally Posted by van_garret2000

In the wild snakes can go to whatever area makes them feel most comfortable. In captivity they don't have that choice to find a new home if they don't feel safe in their current one, that's why people try to make the enclosure makes them feel as secure as possible. A smaller enclosure will do that for a younger snakes because they feel less exposed. A bigger enclosure could also be set up properly to make them feel comfortable, but if done improperly it can easily stress them out.

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is a good point too .. Although having said that - who says the snakes in the wild aren't stressed out - noone can really say for sure unless you find a tongue flick to English translator :D :D

I suppose the reason why I want to use a decent sized viv is because I am tired of rubs / tubs and the sorts and I already have all necessary bits for a new arboreal viv .. Apart from branches I do intend to have at least 3-4 hides scattered around the viv anyway so I hope (s)he will be alright ..

I think I decide once I actually found a JCP :rolleye2:

If the viv is really too large at the end then I have a nice excuse to get yet another snake :rolleyes:

Also the death rate in the wild is a lot higher then in captivity, and the life expectancy is shorter in the wild too.

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Originally Posted by zackw419

How do these animals function in the wild without us..:O

No I do not believe an enclosure can be too big for a snake.

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i personally have experienced problems with some species (especially antaresia)... even with multiple hides, deep substrate, etc. i just don't see it being a problem with carpets, since they love to eat.

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Originally Posted by Colin Vestrand

i personally have experienced problems with some species (especially antaresia)... even with multiple hides, deep substrate, etc.

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Can you elaborate on this please?

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Originally Posted by hud556

Can you elaborate on this please?

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sure... i had a spotted python that i kept in a 55 gallon tank with 2 inches of aspen and multiple hides. temps were perfect, but it never ate for me until i put a divider in. i know he was eating fine before he was in my care... total newb mistake (years ago). a friend of mine had a baby ball that wouldn't eat in a 40 gallon, but ate fine in a 15 gallon... could be attributed to size of the enclosure. i also had an issue with a western hognose, although that could have been temp related too.

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Originally Posted by van_garret2000

In the wild snakes can go to whatever area makes them feel most comfortable. In captivity they don't have that choice to find a new home if they don't feel safe in their current one, that's why people try to make the enclosure makes them feel as secure as possible. A smaller enclosure will do that for a younger snakes because they feel less exposed. A bigger enclosure could also be set up properly to make them feel comfortable, but if done improperly it can easily stress them out.

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Thats what hides and shrubbery are for.

but I see your point. I still do keep my younger snake in smaller enclosures because of this.

Although I do believe they can be successfully kept in a large enclosure if enough hiding areas are provided.

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Originally Posted by zackw419

Thats what hides and shrubbery are for.

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That's why I already said "As long as you supply extra hides and hiding spots for it, there shouldn't be much of a problem." in an earlier post.

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Originally Posted by zackw419

Although I do believe they can be successfully kept in a large enclosure if enough hiding areas are provided.

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And I also stated in an earlier post "I think it should be fine though if the tank is setup properly to compinsate for a smaller snake. "


I haven't been saying you can't do I have just been saying it has to be done right. It generally can be better to keep a smaller snake in a smaller container that's why it is usually what people do and why most reccomend it.

A snake can be kept in a bigger enclosure with no problems but with a lot of peoples experience over the years they've found that the size of the enclosure being to big can also make a snake not want to eat which is why it is genereally recommended to use smaller ones when they are young.

As Colin Vestrand stated it can also depend on the type of snake as to how imprtant it is. As I stated before carpets are a hardier snake so a bigger enclosure shouldn't be as much as an issue if set up right. They are great eatters in general. And really it could just be tried and if there is an issue, with any snake not just carpets, you can always jsut downsize until it gets bigger.