Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I recently got a carpet python in December, he is about 5 months old. I know they are known to be snappy but he is rediculous. His temp is around 75-88, and humidity is around 50-55 normally. He loves to hang out in the branches, and right now it is a 10 gallon tank. Is that too big for a skinny little snake? Anyway, you cant even open the lid of the tank without him coming after you, he is very very aggressive and virtually impossible to handle because even calmly he will bite repeatedly. Will he grow out of this or is there anything I can do to chill him out? Thanks

Don't flinch/react/hesitate when going in to get him. If he bites you, let him- don't react. Try to hold him 5-10 minutes every day, whether he likes it or not, but then leave him alone for the rest of the day.

If you can't handle him with out flinching/reacting, get a pair of welders gloves- you won't feel anything, and they'll build your confidence.

Time, patience and persistance will calm him down... go sloooooow.

//Todd

That's a great point. Another thing you might want to think about: Are you feeding him in his cage? If so, you should switch to feeding him in another enclosure (i use cardboard boxes, and the bathtub for the big boys). If you are feeding him in his cage, then the reason he is biting you is probbly because he mistakes anything that comes in the tank as food. Carpets have very strong feeding responses, so if he thinks you have food, its bite first, ask questions later. Also do what the last guy said, about holding him every day. It is best to start while he's small, and the bites still dont hurt much. the last thing you want is to stop holding him altogther because you're afraid.. then you have a BIG snake that likes to bite. Good luck... many python species and esp. carpets can be very nippy as babies...its a defense mechanism... be persistant and he should grow out of it in no time.

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1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake
1.0 Savannah Monitor RIP
0.0.1 Emperor Scorpion

yes constant handling is always the key
but make sure you dont let him bite you 2 much
and if you are wearing gloves make sure not to grib to hard as you will not be able to feel it

p.s i would scrap the gloves idea as it is very possible to injure your snake..

a lot of ppl do wear gloves but i think that it should be used
just my opinion

cheers
ben/......

sorry i ment to say shouldn't be used
cheers
ben....

I use one glove on most of my larger animals. No difference between them missing your hand and hitting a shirt, rather than tagging the glove. Can't see where it would hurt them. I've used a glove for about 30 years, but just a work glove, no huge welder's type.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

i was wondering how u get the big snakes back into their cages after feeding...i hate handling then after cause i dont want them regurgitateing
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0.0.1 Borneo Blood Python--(lucifer)
0.0.1 IJ Carpet Python--(spike)
0.0.1 Colombian Boa--(vlad the impailer)
0.0.1 Ball Python--(Ghengiz Khan)
0.0.1 Aru Green Tree Python--(hannibal)
0.0.1 Biak Green Tree Python
0.0.1 rose hair tarantula
0.1.0 2 year old boxer--(Diamond)

i used to feed my jcp in another tank an after getting bit trying to move him back to his own tank i stoped. i feed all my 7 snakes in their own tanks and do not have a problem with them biting on the days i go in there for maintance. this is MY exp.
i agree with everyone....handle the baby everyday. i've read most do calm down with size and age.

I agree as well. I feed my guys inside their cage, but I put the mouse/rat inside a tupperware dish inside the cage.

I don't want to deal with these guys, especially when they get real big, when they're in that 'mode', nor do I want to handle them with a large lump in their mid-section.

They pretty much know it's feed time when they see that dish on it's way in, especially my olive- he goes NUTS!

Otherwise, I have ZERO problems reaching in for them, unless I've got mouse/rat stink all over my hands!

//Todd

I usually just hold something (newspaper, etc) between their face and body and grab em. If theyre looking especially frisky I use a coat hanger(don't have a snake hook) and bring them out of the feeding box. once theyre out I can grab them no problem. I haven't been bitten in a long time either... last time was my spotted python, he's got a crazy feeding response.
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1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake

I forgot got to mention, about your question on regures... I haven't had any problems. I always take the snake out when it looks liek theyre good and done swallowing, and always put them directly back in their cage. I would never handle them for any length of time just after feeding.
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1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake

The others have posted some good advise on how to deal with handling your carpet python. My concern is the 10 gallon tank you have him in. It's probably fine for a little while longer, but I would get a much bigger tank for him very soon. As an adult, it will need a fairly large enclosure, that is taller rather than longer. Carpet pythons are an arboreal species that need a lot of vertical climbing space and hide spots up high. I wouls suggest an enclosure about 48 inches long by 24 inches wide, and at least 36 inches high, but 48 inches high would be better. Good luck with getting him to calm down.

I just got a new '05 jcp as well (just arrived today from Ben Team), and he's pretty nippy as well. My '04 was the same way for the first few months I had her, and she started off in a 30 gal. tank. Slow, deliberate, consistent movements, and of course regular handling should help alot. Also, Rico Walder wrote an article for Reptiles Magazine a couple months back which dealt with tree boas and pythons, but I thought it had alot of useful info for young carpets as well.
mike

Hello All,
I just wanted to chime in on cage size.I think there are a few misconceptions regarding caging for carpets. An adult JCP will do just fine in an enclosure 3x2x2 for average males and 4x2x2 for large females. Tall cages are not easy to heat/humidify. Although most will, many adult JCPs will not utilize additional vertical space. Also, a perch doesn't need to be very high to be useful ...just a few inches off of the floor of the cage. I love the looks of perched snakes so I do give all of mine perches...my point is just that you really don't need crazy height...
A small snake in a big cage will often become stressed and go off feed. I keep neonates to yearlings in 12qt tubs (w/ perches) and then move up to a 28qt tub and then on to an adult sized enclosure. Young snakes actually seem to fair better in smaller set-ups than big ones...I had a dxj go off feed last year when I moved it from it's 12qt to a larger one...only after returning her to the original size tub did she begin to eat again.

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JOHN H in NH

This a large adult female perched in a 4x2x2...

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JOHN H in NH

I totally agree with letting her bit you.She will quickly learn that biting doesnt work and she'll stop.I have a baby female retic that was the same way.I just reached in and took the bite and a week of doing that made her calm.Keep handling no matter what because its better to take a bite from a baby carpet than a big one.Try to post a pic.

I agree w/Farmer. All my carpets but one are in 4' neos, and that icludes 2 8' coastals. My 6' JCP is in a 4' tall x 4' wide cage, and he never leaves the top 2'.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I want to thank all of you for your responses, it is very helpful. I shall keep you updated on his status. Sorry I dont have a digital camera, apparently I am behind.