Give me your tips and tricks for keeping carpet pythons! :D

[Danya]

Hello everyone. I've finally decided on getting a jungle carpet python and will be ordering one as soon as I get all of my supplies(Next week???). Anyways, I want to know as much as possible about the species before I buy one. What tips and tricks do you have as carpet pythons keepers? Thanks!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Best tip is to do some research

[EL-Ziggy]

Carpets are pretty easy to care for and fairly hardy critters. They're definitely my favorite snakes. Here's a good care sheet that covers their basic care. You really can't go wrong with carpets.

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care...on-Care-Sheet/

[Gio]

Set them up for a semi arboreal experience.

They are great display snakes.

[Danya]

Thanks for all the tips! I'm definitely doing my research. That semi-arboreal enclosure looks amazing. I'll definitely think of a way to make one!

[cron14]

Recent JCP owner here (about 7 months). I would say a good tip is the recognition that they are not BPs. I’m not sure what you have in your collection, so I apologize if this is stuff you already know.

They can be FAST. Honestly, my JCP was really defensive when I first got her but I was more afraid of her speed than her bite (still am). Also, in my short experience, their body language is much different than Bps. In the beginning, I confused their curiosity with defensive posturing (still learning). Their curiosity is one of my favorite parts of keeping them. If Loki is in her hide when I get home, she usually pops her head out to see what’s going on.

I would say if you’re looking for a snake that you might need to actually work with, they can be really rewarding. Definitely go with at least a semi-arboreal set-up. I routinely see my JCP in her Skyhide, which another member showed me how to setup, and it’s the highest point in the cage (4x2x2).

Also, invest in a snake hook if you don’t have one. I believe it was El-Ziggy who pointed me to the ones sold by reptile basics. Definitely worth it.

[RickyNY]

Like Cron said, get a snake hook. My 8 month old boy comes out flying when ever I open his enclosure looking for food. If my hand was presented he would definitely go for it. But he sees the hook instead and he immediately goes back inside. (He doesn't like to get handled).

[Danya]

So far I only have a BP. I chose carpets over any other snake because I wanted a snake that I would have to work with. I will definitely invest into a snake hook! Thanks

[Reinz]

Congrats on your decision, Carpets are really fun snakes, I have 5 adults, 2 of them being Jungles.

Glad to see that you are doing your research. This is part of it, asking for advice and first hand experiences from actual owners.

They are definitely easier to care for than a BP, not that BPs are hard. Youngsters are usually good eaters and the defensive ones usually grow out of it. As adults when out of their cages they can be real meatheads, only going where THEY want to go, not where you want them to go. They are also more active and faster handling than a BP. Gio once used the term, deliberate. That is a good description of their movements.

Can’t think of anything else at the moment, others have already provided good information.


Esmarelda, Jungle Carpet


Esmarelda



Lizzy, Coastal Carpet



Sundance, Jungle

[Danya]

Thanks for the info! You've got some really nice snakes.