Welcome Home He Who Has Not Been Named Yet.

What a long trip, 310 miles round trip, Took my Gen 1 Chevy Volt, used 7 gallons of gas.

The carpet python has had a rough life, old battle scars, they said were burns, and maybe a rat bite too :(

and he is a little thin, but he was quite calm being handled.

Both I and my daughter handled him with no issues. Not as big as I imagined we were quite comfortable with him.

He does hiss and is quite the vocal snake when he wants to be.

The pictures are after we got home, I don't believe he was impressed with my driving or the ride. (I drove as steady as possible) mostly all highway.
You can see his look in the pics, obviously first thing that happened was he got me and did a little bloodletting :rofl:.

But he is settled in his quarantine home, curled up in his Amazon box hide and relaxing (the Reptile Basic hides get delivered tomorrow).

They said he shed about 2 weeks ago, and he should eat this week. Which works out well because Saturday is feeding day for the crew.

First question is how big of a meal should he be eating? I have small rats 60g-65g size but that's too small I would think.

So should I double up or get a larger single rat at the local pet store (frozen of course)?

Only 2 pics, I wanted to let the poor guy unwind after his world being changed again, and he wasn't in the photogenic mood after the trip

and we haven't picked out his name yet. So far the 2 choices are "Cuddles" or "Squeeze".

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...608-134753.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...608-134801.jpg

Welcome home! He looks amazing, I can't wait to see his progression in growth (and temperament). You should name him something like Bitey, Sneky Snake, Snek McSnake, or Danger Noodle. With these names you know my vote's with Squeeze.:rofl:

He doesn't know it yet, but he just hit the lottery! :gj: I'd call him Jackpot-:D But between the 2 names you chose, I'd go with Cuddles, because I avoid naming any snakes with "negative implications"- snakes already have enough haters.

Kinda hard to tell from the photos, but he doesn’t look all that thin to me. Carpets are very long, slender pythons. I’d give him a bit to settle in and then offer a small rat just to gauge his appetite. He could surely take a medium if you feel inclined to go to the pet store for a bigger feeder, but at 10yrs old he’s done most of the growing he’s going to do and shouldn’t need an overly high calorie diet to maintain his physique. Welcome home, Squeeze/Hugs!


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Originally Posted by Erie_herps

Welcome home! He looks amazing, I can't wait to see his progression in growth (and temperament). You should name him something like Bitey, Sneky Snake, Snek McSnake, or Danger Noodle. With these names you know my vote's with Squeeze.:rofl:

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I have a Ball Python named Bitey already :rofl:

She has since calmed down but the named was earned when she was little.

I had her in for a vet visit after I got her (Well snake checkup). The receptionist didn't sound amused when she

ask the name of my snake and I told her "Bitey" :D

Doesn't look thin to me in that picture.

I really enjoy my Carpet. I lucked into mine too. A work buddy had it for his son but after a few years the boy lost interest so knowing I was into snakes he text me on how and how much to sell it for. We were going back in forth and he asked if $100 was fair for the snake, enclosure, and accessories. The enclosure is a Zoo Med Skyscrapper that are almost $200 alone.

So when he asked about $100 I said "man that may make me buy it." He shot back "if you want it I will do it for $50." My response was "I am on the way." He's been great. Just shed and looking pretty.

You should really enjoy it.

Welcome home, He Who Has Not Been Named Yet! You're in good hands. :)

When I go about choosing a name for a snake, I typically have a few candidate names and wait until I have the snake for a while before I formally decide on one. It might not be a bad idea to wait a few days and see what name fits him if you're waffling between two. For what it's worth, I think Jackpot is a nice name as well!

I'll agree with the more seasoned carpet keepers here -- he doesn't look all that skinny. I can personally attest that fit carpets are a lot more slender than you'd think. For example: even though they're the same length, my female Papuan carpet is only half the weight of my male longicauda boa, who is already fairly slender as far as boas go. Unless he's making a real go of puffing himself up to make himself look larger, he's probably fine.

Having a smaller meal for the first meal home wouldn't be a bad idea in my book. Smaller meals are easier to digest, which may sit easier on a stressed snake's stomach.

Congrats on the new guy! He's quite the looker. :D Hopefully he'll calm down for you with regular handling.

Congratulations!! Nice score on the great looking carpet! I agree with the others that he doesn’t look too thin and a small first meal is probably a good idea. You can always bump up the prey size after a couple of feedings. I also think Jackpot and Cuddles are both cool names. Best wishes with your new critter!! :gj:

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Kinda hard to tell from the photos, but he doesn’t look all that thin to me. Carpets are very long, slender pythons. I’d give him a bit to settle in and then offer a small rat just to gauge his appetite. He could surely take a medium if you feel inclined to go to the pet store for a bigger feeder, but at 10yrs old he’s done most of the growing he’s going to do and shouldn’t need an overly high calorie diet to maintain his physique. Welcome home, Squeeze/Hugs!

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As a carpet python owner I'm going with this - at 10 years old he's done growing. A small rat every 10-14 days so he maintains his weight should be fine. That's all my male gets and he's bigger.

Well consensus seems to be small rat for size, and every other week for feeding.

That works out well because I have a freezer full of small rats, it's what the rest of the crew eats too (except for the corn snake).

I'll just give him the biggest of the half dozen I pull out to thaw.

I have 18" tongs I hope they are long enough, I can just imagine this guy hits like a freight train when it's feeding time.


And I'm Ool so you have to forgive my mindfulness but my daughter pointed out the name was NOT "Cuddles",

But "Snuggles" , well totally goofed that one up :weirdface.

So Snuggles and Jackpot are the 2 names so far.

So this happened this morning, They told me he just shed 2 weeks or so ago, No wonder he was grouchy when I got him home.

Being he's supposed to be 10 years old or so isn't that a fast shed cycle?? Could the transport and moving stressed him to do that?

Or could there be other issues that cause that or just random normal occurrence??

Of course he had some shed on his tail yet, He talked a lot (Hissing) when I was trying to get him out but no striking.

I do wear leather gloves now until he gets used to me. Shed came right off his tail (about 5 inches or so). So he's all good.

Here's a pic after he shed, and the Amazon boxes have been replaced with Reptile Basic hides.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...610-111844.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...610-112654.jpg

I’d guess they didn’t have a super clear record of when he last shed. This picture gives a much better idea of his body condition and I’d say most definitely not thin at all. Looking good!


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I agree -he looks great. And maybe they only noticed him going into shed but never actually followed up & found it- maybe this is "that" shed? For sure this was part of his attitude.

They shed more often when recovering from injuries/illness. Wait and see how quickly the next shed comes around, my fully grown adults don't shed any less often than younger snakes ime. Though they do tend to shed on the least frequent of the range, it's quite common for younger snakes to go just as long. As long as he's healthy, no need for worry.

Well no issues eating from this guy... He took rat and tongs, had to wait a few minutes to get my tongs back though

He ate it rear end first, And this is the first snake I have that used the bathroom in his water dish :puke2: That's pretty gross to clean up.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...612-201403.jpg

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

... And this is the first snake I have that used the bathroom in his water dish :puke2: That's pretty gross to clean up...

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Not as gross as the whole enclosure is for him to slither thru...;) What he really needs is a flush toilet. :rofl:

To "nameless"- Good SNAKE! :gj: But don't eat the tongs- you'll get a major tummy-ache! :colbert:

I had him out for a short time last night. He's not a fan of being removed from his enclosure, But seems totally fine once I have him out.

I have a little snake hook I use to guide his head away from me, then I can pick him up with not much of an issue. but if he's watching me it a No Go.

From some reading on here I take it these guys (Carpet Pythons) can be pretty vocal?

He does hiss but no sign of an RI or illness, It can be loud, but no aggressiveness from him when he does it.

Your place is still quite new & scary for him...you can't blame him for wanting to stay in where he feels the safest so far, but he sounds like a pretty good snake to me, & with any luck, he'll get better at coming out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

From some reading on here I take it these guys (Carpet Pythons) can be pretty vocal?

He does hiss but no sign of an RI or illness, It can be loud, but no aggressiveness from him when he does it.

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Mine isn't at all vocal but he's also very used to being handled. He will also come out of the enclosure and onto my shoulder. I don't think it's because he wants to be with me, but because I am a convenient stepping stone to the chandelier and he seems really enamored with it.

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Originally Posted by Gocntry

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...610-112654.jpg

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Does he have a scar/burn? To the right and down from where his head is in the picture (not the part his head is resting on but the coil under that one, if that makes sense). It's like a gray spot. Sorry if you went over it in the other thread or before; I didn't see it mentioned. My iguana has a bunch from his past owner, but because of the coloration difference, I'm not sure that's what it is on this guy? As long as it isn't a scale infection of some kid...

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Originally Posted by TofuTofuTofu

Does he have a scar/burn? To the right and down from where his head is in the picture (not the part his head is resting on but the coil under that one, if that makes sense). It's like a gray spot. Sorry if you went over it in the other thread or before; I didn't see it mentioned. My iguana has a bunch from his past owner, but because of the coloration difference, I'm not sure that's what it is on this guy? As long as it isn't a scale infection of some kid...

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Yes he has a few on him, The rescue said it looked like burns from a heat lamp. and he has a scar/mark on his nose

they said it looked like from a rat bite/scratch probably from a live feeding.

I was told he's 10 years old or so

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Your place is still quite new & scary for him...you can't blame him for wanting to stay in where he feels the safest so far, but he sounds like a pretty good snake to me, & with any luck, he'll get better at coming out.

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He's good, He'll get used to me a little at a time as I learn his mannerisms and personality.

He does come out of his hide when I'm in the room with him to watch me so I talk to him when I'm in there

He seems curious, just a little jumpy, that might have been due to prior owners too. No clue if he ever got out or not

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Mine isn't at all vocal but he's also very used to being handled. He will also come out of the enclosure and onto my shoulder. I don't think it's because he wants to be with me, but because I am a convenient stepping stone to the chandelier and he seems really enamored with it.

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If only I could teach all my snakes to come out and onto my shoulder, That would work well :D

I don't know how often he was handled, if at all, but I'll give him a short time out every 3 or 4 days

with his age and size, I'm hoping he'll adjust pretty quick.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

...He will also come out of the enclosure and onto my shoulder. I don't think it's because he wants to be with me, but because I am a convenient stepping stone to the chandelier and he seems really enamored with it.

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Our snakes are "just using us!" :rofl:

When you can't decide if your hot or cold

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...617-221131.jpg

Maybe he has "cold feet"? :rofl: That's pretty cute though.

Oh my goodness, what a goof. Maybe he just wants to stretch out and isn't too bothered with temps right now :P

Quick question.....

I noticed he still hisses a lot, no mucus or open mouth or anything, and he doesn't seem to do it until I get him out.

Then he seems to hiss every now and then but only on an exhale, and he seems to breathe normally. No huffing and puffing

I'm guessing that's just the way that species is?

He is pretty gentle when he's out and doesn't strike at anybody. Doesn't have to be looking at you either to hiss.

He's still kinda bitey when I first get him out of his enclosure though, I gotta watch him or he'll get me.

He gets out twice a week for about 15-20 minutes then I put him back, He calms down a lot quicker that he first did.

I'll get a well check up at the vet scheduled, just wanted to give him time to adjust and settle in a little before exposing him to that.

Yeah, carpets can be a little talkative sometimes


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Hey My Enclosure Get Out......

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...717-165307.jpg

What Do You Have There??

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...717-164000.jpg


GIMMIE THAT!!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...724-190346.jpg

And He Has No Name, has now been named "Sunbeam"

He always seems to be out on his hide or just hanging out in the morning waiting for me to open the blind and let the sun in for him.

He definitely seems to enjoy the sun. He's adjusting well, eats with no problem, still doesn't like someone reaching into HIS enclosure :rofl:

But he is a great addition to the family, glad I jumped through all the hoops it took to bring him home :)

What a cool & good-looking serpent & it's so nice that you could provide for him. :gj: