Jungle Carpet handling

[Willie76]

When I got my JCP baby, she nailed me 3x-4x right out of the bag and a few more times after that attempting to get her out of her enclosure in the following months. The bite is nothing. Seriously. Like any snake, it's the speed at which they strike that scares most people...but I like the challenges of the biters and the reward of seeing the trust (tolerance) build. The truth of the matter is we're in a hobby where the animals we love can and do bite. No way around that. Dogs bite, cats bite, my son's guinea pig has bitten me more in the last six months with bigger teeth than I have been bitten by all my snakes over the years combined. It's going to happen; especially as babies when they think everyone is out to eat them...

Even knowing my JCP was likely to tag me, I always proceeded with handling. If she did tag me, I still confidently picked her up. Once she was out of her enclosure and I played the part of the big, warm tree and let her move around, she tamed out very nicely and within a few months there was a true sense of separation of when I open her enclosure doors and tongs are presented with food and when I open the door and my hands enter. She knows....but I am still aware. I started with 5-10 minute handling sessions 2x-3x per week, then moved onto longer sessions 2x-3x per week. I have no issue going into her enclosure and picking her up. SHe is still a juvenile and she likes to "track" my hand, but once I tap her side or rub her a bit, she snaps out of her defensive mode. She is getting better with each and very handling session. If you're that concerned with a bite, wear a long sleeved shirt and some gloves for a while. Hook training is also an option...though I only hook train my Retic (just personal preference).

JCPs also prefer when your hands come from underneath. The only time I was tagged outside her enclosure while handling was when I went to prevent her from falling off my arm, my hand got right in front of her face, and she tagged my finger. Again...bite was nothing and we went on our merry way...

Here she is Monday night trying to play "Indian Bonnet":



Again. Make sure husbandry is good, handle regularly, handle confidently, and all the Carpet's I have dealt with normally mellow right out. I have seen some down right satanic JCPs, but to this day I still believe it's generally because the owner hasn't put in the time or patience.

P.S. If you really want a more mellow Carpet, look into the Bredli's. They are a tad smaller as adults....but are generally more mellow.