What should I consider for getting 1st JCP?

Inspired by another's loot gotten from Craig's list (many BP's and the rack, too), I looked on the list myself to see what was new. I saw a post for a 6 month old Jungle Carpet Python. I am considering getting this guy/gal (sex unknown) - or rather, I am considering badgering my husband about it. Here is what the woman told me via email:

I'm not sure of the sex, but it is approx.6 mths old and approx 2-2 1/2 ft long.When we first got it, he/she was a little snappy,but with regular handling it has calmed down and is very handleable. We've never had a problem with shedding,eating etc... He/she eats 2 f/t or live adult mice per week, and also has eaten rat pups in the past. I kept all my snakes in plastic tubs, which work well for humidity. I would also include water bowl and heat lamp. This snake has very pretty colors and has the potential to reach approx 6 ft, but will be a slender snake and therefore wouldn't need a very large snake. It is also an arboreal snake,and doesn't spend it's time hiding under hideboxes etc.. but is always hanging out on the climbing branch. I had 8 snakes and had to downsize because I am moving in a couple months and will not be able to take them.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/4/1/4/jcp.JPG
She is asking $80 on the ad.

What else should I ask / consider?

Well, I plan to pick this little babe up on Tuesday evening. But I welcome any and all comments / advice / suggestions and links to good care sheets.

Thanks!

Well, if it all looks sound, a good quarentine period should be in order. she/he looks pretty healthy!

I agree with Pat. Quarentine. I was going to say one that eats rats but I see in your post you said it has eaten rats. Just make sure you can provide a proper cage for an adult(Which could potentially get to the 7-8' range). A 3' by 2' by 2' would be a bare minimum in my eyes

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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread

I agree with Pat. Quarentine. I was going to say one that eats rats but I see in your post you said it has eaten rats. Just make sure you can provide a proper cage for an adult(Which could potentially get to the 7-8' range). A 3' by 2' by 2' would be a bare minimum in my eyes

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Yes, we'll be OK with his/her eventual size and will provide a large enclosure when the time comes. And we'll definitely quarentine. We already have the other two snakes separated. So that's nothing new. We just have to decide what room to use.

For now, I'll be the one primarily working with him/her - and my husband some. The kids aren't on the "handling list" until the new JCP settles in and we have established that a bite is not likely.

The current owner said he/she hasn't bitten for 1 1/2 months. I don't mind working with him/her - I see it as a welcome challenge to see what kind of snake keeper I am and establish where I am headed.

What else can you guys, or anyone else, add about what to expect in terms of temperment, activity level, speed of movement, etc.? I only have a Ball Python and Kenyan Sand Boa to compare to.

My experience with nippy snakes are, if you move slow and steady, so will they, the few jcps ive seen were very quick to respond to fast movement. hope this helps. wheres the pics lady!!!!!!!!!!

I have two JCP.. they're definitely more nippy than BPs are. My male always tries to nip.. my female is usually good when she's out of the cage, but not today, she was in a rotten mood today.

They are only semi-arboreal, and they lose some of that tendency as they age. I'd include a hide box for a young one if it's not going to be housed in a rack.

Sometimes it can be hard to get them to eat rats.. they like mice for some reason. I haven't had trouble with my female, and my male isn't large enough to eat rats yet, but if you can get it to eat rats, stick with them.

Thanks, guys.

He/she will be in a tub. He's/she's only 6 months old / 2 1/2 feet. How painful a bite can I look forward to? :D

There is a picture in the OP. I'll post more pictures when I pick him/her up tomorrow evening! I'll let you know how the picup goes, too. Don't fret!

I can't wait!

In most cases I would be pretty leary of buying a snake from someone on Craigslist but the email made that person appear to be a reasonably knowledgeable and responsible person. In many of the ads it's pretty clear that the snake is coming from a situation of long term bad care. It doesn't look like that is the case here. That is a nice looking snake.

I have one female JCP and I have to admit, she is still rather aggressive. This is the reason we took her in, as her previous owner was tired of getting bit. She has started to calm down and we just moved her to a tub so she's easier to get out and hold. She has gotten much better over the last few months, too. Now she only tries to bite once every 10 min or so instead of every 10 seconds.

I love carpet pythons and find them to be wonderful snakes to keep as pets. Most of them like to climb and you will find them hanging out on branches or other areas of their enclosures if you provide basking spots that allow this behavior. They are much more nippy as babies than other snakes but most outgrow the problem within a few months.

Once yours settles in, start regular handling and I think you'll be fine. Enjoy your first Morelia! I find them more addicting than ball pythons (guess that's why I have 7 now and am waiting on another!).

Dsirkle, yes, I hope that this is one time I don't have to be leary of Craig's List. She said that she had 11 snakes and was "down-sizing" b/c they are moving in a few months. Regardless though of anything she says or claims, my impression is that anyone who keeps their snakes in tubs probably knows their stuff. I'm actually hoping that this will help us make the transition to tubs, too.

Dalvers63, your post cracked me up. I am glad you are still working with yours. I plan to do the same. More addictive than BP's? We're in trouble! :O

I explained how I'll have to work with the snake to my 6 year old today, and he asked, "What if it keeps biting you?" I said, "I'll just keep trying." I talked about how some people give up on their pets, but I hope to be someone who never does. And I told him how I hope to see "what I am made of." Our BP and KSB are easy to be good snake keepers with. But the JCP will show us what kind of snake keepers we really are.

I am very excited! I have a positive attitiude about it and am willing to keep at it even if the snake doesn't have a positive attitude! :D

Anyone have any links to their favorite care sheet for JCP's? I found one or two but they were somewhat sparse. And tell me more JCP stories so I can have my fix before I get him/her!

I forgot to ask. If it was eating two live adult mice a week, should I do that once he/she settles in? Or should I try to switch to F/T right away - what about trying a rat pup? What kind of eaters are they?

Melissa

Congrats on your pickup, I think you will really fall in love with carpets as most people who get into them do. I don't know if you have ever visited here but take a look, it is good for all things Morelia. The address is www.moreliapythons.com lot of good info and a good group. To go to your feeding question I am not to sure it matters that much. If you want to try a F/T right away try it. The worst thing that can happen is it gets refused. I think you will be able to get that little one switched to F/T. Jungles tend to be hard to get to take rats. Most people try to get them onto rats as young as possible. I would suggest doing one thing at a time. Going from live to F/T and then try to move from mice to rats. At any rate congrats again

Chuck

You know what I just went back and reread the original post. I would try F/T rats right away. I think if it has eaten them in the past and has taken frozen thawed then it will eat them again. It may refuse but that is alright give it another week and try again. It maybe more receptive to F/T rats if its good and hungry, and you could try to scent the rat with a little mouse that might help also. Let us know how it goes.


Chuck

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Originally Posted by MelissaFlipski

I forgot to ask. If it was eating two live adult mice a week, should I do that once he/she settles in? Or should I try to switch to F/T right away - what about trying a rat pup? What kind of eaters are they?

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I would start on F/T rats also. Look at the snake when you get it and see what you think in regards to size. Most carpets take a bit larger meals than other snakes. My yearling JCP is now on rat pups and ready to move up to weaned rats soon. They are voracious eaters if you get a good one! Just watch your fingers when it comes time to feed them. :)

one thing you can do for handling is wear a glove or sock until it gets used to being handled... this will reduce your heat signature and make it much less likely to bite and ease your fear of getting nipped. they are great fun though, and addicting, so watchout! check out australianaddiction.com for a JCP caresheet.

Thanks everyone!

I picked him up tonight. He was fine when I went to his former home to get him (I even held him with no problems then), but is striking at anyone who tries to take him out of his tub right now. We'll give him awhile to settle in, maybe a week, and try again - if we can be that patient. We'll try to feed him in a week or two.

He does not have a name yet... officially.

Given the striking and stress, you'll have to wait for more pictures! I'll post an update and pictures later in a new thread.

Yay! Our new baby is home and he's gorgeous!

Now the challenge begins...

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Originally Posted by dalvers63

Enjoy your first Morelia! I find them more addicting than ball pythons (guess that's why I have 7 now and am waiting on another!).

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Deb, you are so right. Not even ONE week into this, I have to agree.