Interested in getting a Carpet Python

I am interested in getting a more advanced snake to keep, I have had my eye on getting a Jag carpet python for sometime but when I spoke with a local keeper he basically said they are aggressive and I probably could not handle them. I don't know If he was stating on my stature (im 5"5 and 118 pounds) or if my abilities are not there. I currently have 6 ball pythons that vary in size and all are healthy. I also get called to come and assist a local pet shop in starting the babies on feeding when they cant and own land that houses a conservatory for timber rattlesnake. I also am currently in the process of getting to GTP. A little incite on the carpet pythons temperament or issues would be greatly appreciated ... thanks :D

While carpets can be nippy as hatchlings, most calm down as they put some size on. Saying that you can't handle a carpet is ridiculous. Sure there are always going to a few that don't calm down, but that is true of all snakes.

They aren't ball pythons, but they really aren't that bad either. In my experience carpets tend to be very defensive when you reach into their cage, but once you get them out of the cage they settle down almost immediately.

Snakes are just as individual as people. And to say ALL Carpets are aggressive is a flat out lie and lack of understanding. I have seen Carpet babies as calm as a BP and I have seen Carpet babies as nervous and scared as they come. My JCP female tagged me 3-4 times right when I opened the FedEx box and I endured countless tags after she settled in during her handling sessions. After 4 months now of regular, confident, handling sessions, she's one of my best snakes. Her favorite place to relax is on top of my head!

You have to remember, no matter what species...they all think we're there to eat them when they're babies. If you get one that is known to be nippy, expect to take a few tags but continue with handling. If you're concerned with the tags, put on some gloves and a long sleeved shirt. Most will calm in the span of a few months. Patience, confidence, and more patience is all that is needed.

If you want to enter the world of Morelia but want to start with a Carpet that is a little more calm by nature, start with a Bredli Carpet Python. But if you're willing to give a Jungle or Jag the patience to earn their trust, by all means it's well worth the effort.

What others have said just in a different way - Carpets get confidence with size. When they are young, in a big brand new world, everything is a threat so they are generally nippy, this can be true for the first few months, to the first couple of years. It just depends on the individual snake. Most (not all) carpets will calm down when they start getting some size, but most (not all) will show some signs of cage aggression where you need to enter the cage with your hand with caution. Simply reaching in and grabbing it is never a good idea. Worst bite I've gotten from my adult Jaguar Coastal is putting my hand in to change her water while she was in her hide. . . woke her up she darted out and latched onto my hand before I could move. But again, its not that you can't handle them. And its not they are the devil himself in a snake . . . you just need to work with them when they are young, take a few baby bites, then when they are older, use a hook or paper towel roll to initiate handling when they are in the cage.

Like previously stated they can be "high strung" as juvies but they do tend to calm down. If he has multiple to choose from try and find one that isn't so nippy.
Personally I love carpets and think they are a great next-step snake after a BP.
another thing to keep in mind is that they are a more active and curious snake than a BP and will react quicker as well. if startled they will flinch and rise up vs coiling into a ball. I have also noticed they "lunge" kinda a half-ass strike without opening their mouth if you startle them sometimes.
Just being confident with them will do wonders though. and they do have a strong feed response so make sure they know your not food before you stick your arm in their lol.
Good luck and I hope you can pick one up!

Not to add for the tempermant issue, just wanting to say I love mine. He is growing like a wild fire Burns counties and townships but is also staying very calm (nervous albiet). I say get one! You'll love it to death!

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Thank you all for easing my fears....I am going to pick one up at the September reptile expo! I really am not nervous about the baby bites lol my male genetic black back is a beast and hisses and tries to eat me all the time ( he is a little wacky). Thanks again for all the incite :gj:

Do iiiittt! Carpets are amazing! My little jcp is one of my top favorite snakes in our collection! She tagged me right out of the shipping box, barely left a pin prick, and hasn't tagged me since. I love her to pieces!

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/o...psaf1b1b50.jpg

That's a nice looking jungle you've got there Rosie!

Op: do it! I love mine nippyness and all they are awesome snakes. I can't add much to what has already been said but we can assure you 99% of the babies calm down with regular handling. Just be prepared for a skiddish baby that likes to poop on you. My 2 girls aren't bad already but the 2 boys from the same clutch are still a little psycho. Lol

I think you should go for it. I just obtained a yearling Coastal female and very young Jag male, that being said yes as babies they will be nippy. the jag never stops trying to prove himself to me :P, but in time he will calm down like the female, who is a little nippy at times but has lacked handling for a long time. Carpet pythons are great snakes and don't let anyone talk you out of it!

I love my coastal girl. She is fiety and will lunge at me all the time espeically when i'm reaching into the cage or when i'm holding her wrong. she is also alot more aware of her surrounding than any of my ball pythons so reaching behind them trick does work. Havn't had any real bite though (that drawn blood) but she has poop on my plenty of time.

I'm actually glad the breeder sent me the more feisty one (but prettier) than the one I originally had in mind. Ball pythons in comparison are too placid sometimes and it fun to work with a snake that actually behaves like a snake. good luck to yours!

If you want to know about carpets check this website out. Anthony has some really nice carpets and generally is pretty good about answering any questions you may have.
http://www.acreptiles.com/main/

Carpets are great snakes, a tie with boas in my opinion.
If size is an issue Irian Jayas are I believe the smaller of all the Carpets I know of.
Ask to handle the snakes if you can find a local breeder or go to an expo. Some hatchlings are less nippy than others, I chose my I-J due to her very confident disposition. She settled very quickly when picked up and started taking in the changes in her surroundings.
She has not struck or bit me once yet, I wouldn't want to wave a hand around that smelled like prey though her food response is very strong.

I actually picked one up today at an expo I went to in Poughkeepsie NY I had to wait so long because I picked up a GTP from John Leckie in August so the snake funds were a little low lol. He is an awesome little Irian Jaya hatchling! He has been great to handle so far the breeder (one I trust highly) said he is pretty tame and never tried to bite him. I got him home and put him in QT....I will post pics once I get him in his permanent enclosure. Thank you all so much for all the advice. :D



P.S. I can not wait for him to get a little bigger!

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Originally Posted by crazypythonlady

I actually picked one up today at an expo I went to in Poughkeepsie NY I had to wait so long because I picked up a GTP from John Leckie in August so the snake funds were a little low lol. He is an awesome little Irian Jaya hatchling! He has been great to handle so far the breeder (one I trust highly) said he is pretty tame and never tried to bite him. I got him home and put him in QT....I will post pics once I get him in his permanent enclosure. Thank you all so much for all the advice. :D



P.S. I can not wait for him to get a little bigger!

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Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures!

How are you enjoying the GTP? That may be one I have to get soon. They're beautiful!

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Originally Posted by kat_black181

congrats! Can't wait to see pictures!

How are you enjoying the gtp? That may be one i have to get soon. They're beautiful!

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I enjoy the challenge of owning a GTP , it is a departure from ball pythons for sure. I handle her daily for about 10 minutes just to get her acclimated to me she was very nippy when I got her and she has already calmed down alot. She is a little over a year old and she is awesome! I have not had a problem yet with feeding, they are just great snakes I would go for it !!!!...My best advice would be to get one from a reputable breeder one that will be there for every step and to buy the book The Complete Chondro by Greg Maxwell it is the bible of GTP ownership ( I am sure you already know that!) And Thanks for the Congrats I am looking forward to watching him grow!

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Originally Posted by crazypythonlady

I enjoy the challenge of owning a GTP , it is a departure from ball pythons for sure. I handle her daily for about 10 minutes just to get her acclimated to me she was very nippy when I got her and she has already calmed down alot. She is a little over a year old and she is awesome! I have not had a problem yet with feeding, they are just great snakes I would go for it !!!!...My best advice would be to get one from a reputable breeder one that will be there for every step and to buy the book The Complete Chondro by Greg Maxwell it is the bible of GTP ownership ( I am sure you already know that!) And Thanks for the Congrats I am looking forward to watching him grow!

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Thanks for the info. Since the snake itself won't come until much later, I will go ahead and pick up that book! Thank you so much for that information! And, you are definitely right about finding an EXCEPTIONAL breeder. The difference in a good and bad breeder is evident in almost any animal out there IMO. Thankfully, I've always been careful and picky with who I choose to do business with. It has always paid off in the end, and not only with snakes.