Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
My sister wants to get a JCP. I'm a little worried(actually, ver worried) she can't handle it. Although she has some experience in reptiles, the closest she has ever came to caring for snakes is holding mine while I clean their cages. I know JCP's get a decent size, which she thinks she can handle. However, I'm sure once the snake gets too big, she'll likely be too intimidated to take it out of his/her cage. I have a BCI that she doesn't like to hold. I'm thinking, if she is too scared to hold a BCI, she'll be too scared to remove a JCP from its enclosure. Also, I know once it bites, she won't handle it at all. As a baby, if it's nippy she'll handle that fine. But, as an adult, once it attempts to bite her what'll likely happen is that she'll give it to me. Now, I know it's possible it may not bite her, or strike her. But, their is the possibility that it will. The last thing is, although she does care for a fat tail gecko and schneider skink, IMO she doesn't take good care for them. Her room is hot, and the cages are at around 90F, with a drop at night. However, she doesn't use a heat mat or lamp to allow for a temperature gradient. Both animals have been known to fast. She's away now, and I've been caring for them. The gecko is a bit of a pain, but the skink, who was on a fast while I got him, has been eating like a pig. I do not think she is responsible enough for a JCP yet, and I am trying to talk her out of getting one right now. My question is, to all you morelia keepers, would a JCP make a good first pet snake? If she does get one, what are some of the things I should tell her to care for that isn't found on most care sheets? Am I worried over nothing? And, in your opinions, should I keep insisting she not get a JCP, or let her get one? BTW, she insists on not getting any other snake. I explain to her that a corn, ball python, milk or other various snakes would be better for her to start out with, and she still insists she wants a JCP and only a JCP.

well you cant fault her for wanting to get one. they are very beautiful creatures. however, if you say that she afraid of a bci and doesnt take care of what animals she does have, then i would say she doesnt need to get one. 90F is actually quite good for a carpet because they are from australia and it does get pretty hot over there. i have my carpets set to 88F but going up to 90F wont really hurt anything. however, if she is afraid to hold a 5 or 6 foot boa then a python that can get anywhere from 6 to 9 feet is definitely not for her. my advice would be to take her a reptile show and introduce her (and yourself) to all the different types of snakes. she probably hasnt seen all types and there will surely be something smaller and more of a beginner snake there for the both of you.

-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

I have took her to a few expo's and shown her many snakes that would be more suitable. Problem is, she insists on a JCP only. She doesn't want any other snake. She's a bit irresponsible. She bought the skink without even hearing of the species before, which infuriated me. She originally wanted the gecko, and we both researched it. She instead ends up with an animal neither of us heard before. But, that's another topic. With the temp, the problem isn't that the cages are at 90. The problem is, the whole cage is at 90. She allows no temperature gradient. Right now, on both of her reptiles, one side of the cage is at 92 and the other is at 85. If she were at home, both sides would be around 90. Isabella is around 7 feet and still growing, and she's intimidated by that size. She doesn't seem to realise that her JCP can get that size, and bigger. For some reason, and I don't know where she got this information, she's convinced that JCP's get 6 feet max. Isn't 6 feet average, or perhaps even small, for this species? Anyways, I'll still try and talk her out of it. And if not, I'll at least make sure she takes proper care of it. Chances are, if she does get it, she'll either take decent care of it, or in a few years give it to me. Which I don't mind, though I will admit to preferring Irian Jaya's.

yes 6 ft is average, but how do you know that the one you get will be of the "average"? id suggest getting a male. they dont grow to be quite as big as the females.
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

n/p

are completely overrated.
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

My ball is going to lay soon. I offered her one from my clutch, but she's not interested.
Fortunately, I'm lucky. It's been 7 years and I've never had a hassle with my ball. However, you are correct that they are overrated. Prices for the morphs are riciculous. And, perhaps I'm colourblind, but I don't see a difference between a $20.00 normal and a $750.00 'morph'. But, that's a topic for a different forum.
If she does get a jcp, hopefully she'll take proper care for it. I will ensure that she at least knows how to properly care for it. Also, since males are smaller, I'll convince her to get a male. I doubt she'll mind, since I know someone with a female whose looking for a potential breeder.

Try talking her into getting an Irian Jaya male, or if she still wants a JCP, get her a male and try not to mention anything about the gender... Most people can't tell a male and female buy just looking at them. Also, Why not show her some pics of other carpet snakes and see which one she likes. Get a group of pics and see which one she likes, but don't tell her the type of snake it is. Also, see about Spotted pythons, they max at 4ft and are pretty. I've got 2, and i wish i pics of 'em.
-----
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)
0.1.0 Jungle Carpet (Teprak)
0.2.0 Dwarf Hamsters (Tipsy and Bubblegum)
1.0.0 Rose Hair Tarantula (Goopy)
1.0.0 Boyfriend (Brian)

how old is your sister? if she is under 18 then im sure her parents could veto her snake getting decision. if she is over 18, well then shes an adult (possibly an irresponsible one but still an adult) and she can make her own choices. of course if it were me, id say "go ahead and get one. im not going to help you take care of it".
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Black Blood Python (normal)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)

Get her the JCP. Help her take care of it and then when she doesnt want it any more you have a free snake!