Carpet pythons

[Gio]

I haven’t kept boas, so am not entitled to an opinion.



No it is not.



It varies. I currently have 8 jags in my collection and have had 4 others in the past. 11 of the 12 had only very mild symptoms. The other, a male DCI/coastal intergrade, had fairly strong symptoms as a hatchling that manifested itself at all times, not just times of excitement which is frequently reported. He was quite difficult to feed as he either couldn’t hit the prey or couldn’t locate it after he constricted it. For the first 2-3 years it would normally take 4-6 offerings before the meal would be consumed. The snake is now 10 years old and has become fairly efficient at feeding on offering #1. However, at about 4-5 years of age his equilibrium became increasingly poor. The snake is more likely to be spotted upside down than right side up these past several years. None of the other jags in my admittedly small sample have had any noticeable difference in the degree of their symptoms over the years. However, there is enough reported evidence in other collections to show that it may get worse. And sometimes get better. But I think mostly what you get wobble wise as a youngster is what you will get as an adult.

The wobble only occurs in jags. it is related to the gene



I don’t think it matters, they all calm down.



Summertime is prime time, but autumn is popular too.



Nick obviously very good. My go to guy for carpets is Will Bird at http://www.ectotherms.net/. I’ve been doing business with Will for over a decade. He produces top notch animals from excellent lines with reasonable pricing. He’s a great guy who will provide you all the help and advice you need. He’s in it for the animals, not the money.

I agree with every snippet here.

I forgot about Will. His webpage is saved in my bookmarks, and I agree with Dennis.

As for the BC VS. Carpet comparison? They are similar in many ways, however you have to approach boas with a very seasonal feeding schedule once they are mature. A lot of folks claim boas are boring and sit curled up in the corner of the cage. I completely disagree. If not overfed, like so very many are, they will move, hunt and seek ambush points inside of their caging. This however is only observable when you set them up to display those behaviors.

Boas are MUCH heavier bodied foot for foot. I believe my carpet that is a year younger than my boa, is longer but the mass of the boa makes the carpet seem like a smaller snake.

I would say, the carpet is slightly more active throughout the year. There are times when the boa is very busy, but my coastal mutt is out almost the same time every night climbing around.

She seems to have a personality, which is hard to explain. She seems to almost be friendly which is also hard to explain. Human emotions and snakes don't mix, but I feel the carpet is more curious/tolerant of handling. My boa is very good, but boas move in a very slow, deliberate, controlled manner. Carpets seem to go without thinking.

I'm only giving examples of my two so this isn't gospel by any means.

My SD x Dwarf retic is another situation altogether but fits the semi arboreal interest I have here.

I think for a change, and what the O/P was looking for, I'd say carpet. ALL snakes need to be understood, but I know a bit more about boas having done extensive research and study. If you raise a boa constrictor properly, you will be amazed and entertained, but its important to not overfeed them.

I think a carpet generally does what it does. Sure you can overfeed them however I think they seem to be more active year round.

I can't pick a favorite. My son has a royal python, I own the boa, the carpet and the retic.

All are special even the seemingly boring royal.