Thinking about a carpet Python

[Gio]

Died on the vine? Where'd you go?

You need a carpet!

[artgecko]

I just got mine a few months back (he is a May 2014 baby). Mine is an IJ Jungle jag (mother75% ij jag and his father was a 25% diamond zebra). I purchased him from a seller at the Atlanta show selling for his friend who produced my carpet (Emerald Coast Exotics in FL).

So far... A lot more nippy handling wise.. Very defensive and food aggressive (i.e. went after my finger while out because it was the same size as a hopper and emitting heat). Let's just say that I'm VERY glad that I have a small hook to use with mine. He is improving with a handling routine (he now knows what to expect when I touch him with the hook ,etc. and hasn't tried to bite for the last several sessions). But they do take more work than a BP to get them to calm down. Mine would strike like crazy and musk on me when I first tried to handle him.. he did this maybe the first 5 - 6 sessions.

Once out, mine is very active... Much more so than a BP or even my boas. I have to be careful when handling, as mine has fallen off the hook a few times (I guess it takes a while for them to learn to properly grip, etc.). Mine has not showed any noticeable neuro signs yet, so hopefully he won't suffer from that.

I would definitely recommend the seller I got mine from (although I didn't buy directly from him). He answered my questions about clutch date, feeding schedule, and parentage within about a day of me messaging him on FB. None of his animals had mites and were all very vigorous at the show.

If you're thinking about it, I'd definitely go for it. They are beautiful animals and very different to work with. That said, I'd say a hook is a must, at least while taming them. Also, really, really shop around. It took 3 shows for me to find this guy and I've seen a lot of sub-par carpets being sold by resellers too. I would highly suggest buying directly from the breeder and asking for photos of the parents ,etc.

[Trackstrong83]

Sorry guys I've been busy!!

But I've done a ton of research, I have a buddy of mine who is partners with a guy who breeds carpets, I will talk to him.

I'm very excited about these guys
I took care of one at work before and got plenty of love bites, but I fell in love with the guy.

[John1982]

Carpets are just all around fun snakes and beautiful too. Doubt you'll be disappointed if you end up owning one, or a few.

[Trackstrong83]

Carpets are just all around fun snakes and beautiful too. Doubt you'll be disappointed if you end up owning one, or a few.

My mind is set on just one right now but who knows that's what I said about my other snakes now I'm expecting eggs I'm a few days

[Trackstrong83]

So how many perches do you guys recommend for a JCP?

[artgecko]

With my little guy (he was small enough to fit into a "shoebox" tub when I got him) I drilled a hole in the tub and installed a wooden bird perch. I also gave him a branch that I could remove. Some of the best perches I've seen were pieces of pvc connected to form a lattice (think window pane seperators) that were laid in the tub so that you could pick up the perch with the snake on it.

Mine was very skittish at first and wouldn't release his perch when I had to remove him, so I prefer using the removable ones.

If you can make something out of pvc with multiple "branches" on it, I think that will be fine. I was able to just lean mine on top of his hide box to give it height, but if you are getting a larger jcp, this might not work for you.

[Trackstrong83]

Ah okay that sounds fun, I like building things so that'll be my next project

[DennisM]

I highly recommend carpets. If you don't want anything to big, avoid coastals and their crosses as well as diamond crosses; otherwise you could be looking at a 9-10 footer in the future. Anything called jag or jag sib (sigh) has coastal in it. As others have stated jungle or IJ. Also possibly Darwin, but be careful because a large number of Darwins have been bred to coastal as part of albino projects.

[Cowtipper]

Perches - They tend to like more of a shelf style, you can put two round perches right next to each other and they love that. Any store like Target, Walmart or Menards has these white, adjustable shower rods you can extend to the length you need, then it turns and locks into place, and they are super cheap! Depending on size, less than $5.00.

IJ's tend to be the most calm, Jungles tend to be the most nippy. Although, the difference isn't all that great and, of course, it depends on the individual snake. Just work with them very consistently, touching their body in multiple places with both hands and they will eventually get used to it and settle down.

I started with a JCP too, I was not addicted until I got my second one, a Jungle Jag, about a year later, then the flood gates opened! I now have four Carpets. Much like Ball pythons, Carpets have many different morphs, looks, colors, and patterns; they are just way more active than Balls.

Also, with Carpets, breeding lines are important. You'll want to know what lines the parents are from (Lazik, German, Headhunter, VPI, Psychotic Exotic, Nick Mutton and so on). Quality in JCP lines makes the animal, and sets the price; there is a big difference in a $150 JCP and a $500 JCP, it just depends on what you can afford and how much you care about the looks and colors.