one benefit of working at a petco....

[Snakeman]

FREE SNAKE!!!

so today i was working at petco and a guy comes in and we start a small convo on snakes. he tells me "if i want one more" and that he'll give me his 5-6 ft. carpet python(female?) for FREE!! im like OK!!!! he told me she has a nice temper and is eating well. so now i've added this beautiful carpet python to my snake keeping. so...any specific needs? temps?humidity? temper? in the mean time i'll do some research on it....will have pics of it soon!!! oh i hear she does a noise like a somewhat loud whistling sound,last like 2-3 seconds...RI?

[Sausage]

Look out, since it's free, there may be something wrong with it.

[Vomitore]

FREE SNAKE!!!

so today i was working at petco and a guy comes in and we start a small convo on snakes. he tells me "if i want one more" and that he'll give me his 5-6 ft. carpet python(female?) for FREE!! im like OK!!!! he told me she has a nice temper and is eating well. so now i've added this beautiful carpet python to my snake keeping. so...any specific needs? temps?humidity? temper? in the mean time i'll do some research on it....will have pics of it soon!!! oh i hear she does a noise like a somewhat loud whistling sound,last like 2-3 seconds...RI?

The whistling is RI or possibly a loose piece of skin. I hope it's in quarantine?

[lord jackel]

If you are got a "FREE" several hundred dollar snake better make sure you QT it. The potential RI is the first issue but mites are very possible as well.


Here is a great caresheet on them from one of the big breeders out there Anthony Caponetto.

http://www.acreptiles.com/carpet_python_care.htm

Can't wait to see pics.

[Snakeman]

ok from my observations...i thought it was whistling...but now i think shes actually hissing at me. she doesnt do any noises but when i touch her, it looks like she rears back and then "whistles" but then a whistle or 2 later...im pretty sure it's hissing i hear(is this normal behavior?).i thought snakes only hiss with their mouth open but i guess in this case she hisses at me with her mouth closed. i do have her in QT and i dont see any mites on her but i'll keep her in check for a while.

the guy gave her to me for free because he said he was moving and could no longer take care of her so of course im not gonna let him leave her with the people i work with.

[lord jackel]

First let me say I am not an expert on Carpets (I am getting my first one Wednesday ) but from what I have been told and read Carpets can be very "grumpy" when young and through constant handling will calm down as they age. Depending on how much yours was handled this could be a defensive hissing sound and working with her will help her to understand you aren't going to eat her.


On the other hand until you know her better I wouldn't rule out an RI. Does she have any other signs? open mouth breathing, mucus, rubbing head a lot

Keep her in QT for at least a month...even though you don't see mites now eggs can still hatch for another 3 weeks (once laid).

How about some pics now

[Snakeman]

yeah i called the guy to see if he did handle her as a baby(she's a 5-6 ft monster!!) and i dont think he did because she's pretty grumpy but once i actually pick her up and handle, she seems to calm down but i'll work with her until i gain her trust(women...).i dont see any open mouth breathing or any other signs of RI.whenever i open her temporary tub, she's all coiled up but oce she realizes im there, she gives me the "can i get some privacy?" look and gives me what looks like the S-coils like if shes warning me.

oh i'll post up pics once i get some new batteries and if i can get a hold of the camera.

[Beardo]

Don't worry about the whistling....every single adult Carpet I've ever had did this. They just breathe a little differently than other snakes. Carpets are very hardy snakes.

[Blu Mongoose]

Love carpets! Can't wait to see pics. Good luck with your new snake.

[MPenn]

Don't worry about the whistling....every single adult Carpet I've ever had did this. They just breathe a little differently than other snakes. Carpets are very hardy snakes.

I was waiting for someone to pop in and say this. Their "whistling" is well documented and I have personally noticed it more in my Irian Jayas than other carpets.

But being as how we are not there to see it, I would keep it in QT for a bit.