Quote Originally Posted by katiekat View Post
1. She may always be nippy or she may mellow out with regular handling, it really depends on the snake. She also may be snappy because she's in a new place and is stressed out about her new place. Give her a week or two to adjust with no handling at all, only go in to change water and spot clean if needed. My female has a hide she occasionally uses so I would suggest adding one if you don't have one already, can't tell from the pics.

2. I would start with small-medium rats, mice are a bit small for a 4-5ft carpet.

3. Size varies but she will grow for the rest of her life, growth will slow as she gets older. My female is about 13 years old and she is roughly 7.5 feet.

4. A snake thats 4-5ft has shed more than once, maybe they meant she has only shed once since they had her?

As for handling goes I would wait a while then try getting her out after she has eaten a few times and settled down.
I assume you've done your husbandry research, but if you are unsure of things I'd look for some caresheets or ask more questions here, if you can't find what you are looking for.
I have a hide though she seems to be more content curled up beside the heating bad there she hasnt left the spot since she moved from the coiled position around the poles you see there... I havnt handled her at all yet was waiting atleast a week and she has lots of water so I will let her mellow out...As for it being a new place well her previous owners named her scizo because of how sketchy she is and decided to warn me after they left that she will bite without remorse. I will feed her a small rat to start. She just seems so skinny to me that I am concerned she wouldnt eat it...They were feeding her pinkie mice which might have a bit to do with her size... I knew enough about her to know however that pinkies arent enough for something her size. I thought she would of had to shed more then once as it wouldnt make sense she went from a baby to boom 5 feet with shedding once! I have been looking and reading up on her care and have learned alot.. I appreciate your answer and cannot wait to grow and learn with her. Just hope she calms down enough she can turn some of my non snake lover friends into believers instead of well proving them right.