What is it like owning a carpet python?

[danielwilu2525]

I'm interested in owning a carpet python as my 4th snake. I have a BP, and 1 hognose and another hognose coming in hopefully in the next couple of days. I basically want to branch out and get ready for larger snakes. I probably wont get one till next year or so, but it doesn't hurt to start researching.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It's great, sure they can be nippy when they very young and you need to be consistent with them when it comes to handling but they are very intelligent snakes very inquisitive, and comes in various sizes and mutation as well.

Not prone to stress, they are like garbage disposal when it comes to food (very rarely have I ever had food turned down)

[danielwilu2525]

It's great, sure they can be nippy when they very young and you need to be consistent with them when it comes to handling but they are very intelligent snakes very inquisitive, and comes in various sizes and mutation as well.

Not prone to stress, they are like garbage disposal when it comes to food (very rarely have I ever had food turned down)

How big do they get? Do you have a picture of an adult male? What would be a good cage size for a male? I've seen enormous display enclosures and thought that's what they needed.

[Jollyrogers]

I like them a lot over BPs, as I find balls boring other then the cool morphs, but they still hide all day and most tend to just sit there when handled. Carpets aren't shy, in fact seem inquisitive at times, they like to climb and make great display snakes. Provide some climbs and when they aren't digesting in their hide(s), you'll find them "hanging" out. They do get some length as adults depending on what type of morelia they are, but their girth/weight make them easily managed. As mentioned they can be garbage disposals, so be aware not to over feed, and can be nippy as a juvenile, but tend to settle. Also be aware of nuero in jags. My female has it, though she is still doing good feed wise and when handling, and my baby so far is not showing signs, but all jags have it at some level. Our first snake was a Jungle and we are on our 3rd now. The trend in carpets is documented lineage versus the "next greatest morph" in the BP world, so take your time picking one out from a respected breeder that will provide that information vice just getting a mutt from an unknown heritage.

As far as an enclosure, I don't have to worry about humidity except winter (va here), and they do well in tubs as hatchling to juveniles, but eventually you'll be looking for a 4x2x2 size for that adult snake.

ETA: Another cool thing is their coloring tends to come out better and better as they shed and grow, so seeing the changes is pretty cool!


couple pics of course

[danielwilu2525]

I like them a lot over BPs, as I find balls boring other then the cool morphs, but they still hide all day and most tend to just sit there when handled. Carpets aren't shy, in fact seem inquisitive at times, they like to climb and make great display snakes. Provide some climbs and when they aren't digesting in their hide(s), you'll find them "hanging" out. They do get some length as adults depending on what type of morelia they are, but their girth/weight make them easily managed. As mentioned they can be garbage disposals, so be aware not to over feed, and can be nippy as a juvenile, but tend to settle. Also be aware of nuero in jags. My female has it, though she is still doing good feed wise and when handling, and my baby so far is not showing signs, but all jags have it at some level. Our first snake was a Jungle and we are on our 3rd now. The trend in carpets is documented lineage versus the "next greatest morph" in the BP world, so take your time picking one out from a respected breeder that will provide that information vice just getting a mutt from an unknown heritage.

As far as an enclosure, I don't have to worry about humidity except winter (va here), and they do well in tubs as hatchling to juveniles, but eventually you'll be looking for a 4x2x2 size for that adult snake.

ETA: Another cool thing is their coloring tends to come out better and better as they shed and grow, so seeing the changes is pretty cool!


couple pics of course

Your carpets are so gorgeous. Thanks for the awesome photo and info. I saw you mentioned size depended of morelia? Can you give me some insight on that? Sorry if I'm asking a bunch of questions lol

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Your carpets are so gorgeous. Thanks for the awesome photo and info. I saw you mentioned size depended of morelia? Can you give me some insight on that? Sorry if I'm asking a bunch of questions lol

Size will depend on locality if pure or designer combo if intergrade you are looking at 5 to up to 12/13 feet , smallest being IJ largest being Coastal.

[danielwilu2525]

Size will depend on locality if pure or designer combo if intergrade you are looking at 5 to up to 12/13 feet , smallest being IJ largest being Coastal.

I think I'll end getting an IJ then. Thank for the info guys!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I think I'll end getting an IJ then. Thank for the info guys!

If you are looking into 5 or 7 feet long animal you can also look into Jungle, Darwin, Bredli

And remember even a big coastal is still very handlelable and 13 feet specimen are really large and rare.

[John1982]

Jungles(cheynei) stay pretty small too if you want some more options, with animals typically maxing out right around 6(+/- 1) feet.

Here are a few pictures of my 21 year old jungle(VPI stock) I took about a week ago. He's under 7 feet long.







Examples of younger animals, sired by the above male. These were 1 year old at the taking.





A jungle(cheynei) morph, zebra, produced by Steven Katz from Mutton bloodlines:



Another jungle, a Palmerston locality(striped one) produced by Nick Mutton, pictured with a couple coastals also produced by Nick.



Typical hatchling jungle after it's first meal. Their yellows take up to a couple years to develop.

[danielwilu2525]

Very beautiful!! I love your carpets. I think I'm going to get a diamond jaguar jungle, suits my taste and is STUNNING.

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What size of prey does your 21 year old male eat? I'm wondering what they would take as adults.