Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I'm not really a beginner to reptiles. I've been at it most of my life. My collection is ever growing and I have some breeding projects in the works, but I only have one snake so far. A ball python. He is fantastic, but I was thinking about what might be a good snake that's kind of the next step.

I love the BP because he's never been snappy, and he's a good eater. Overall, a very easy snake to keep. I was wondering what subspecies of carpet python tend to possess the best 'beginner' qualities (eats well, and not too snappy). I tend to hear a lot about the jungles having attitudes. Any advice/suggestions?

Yup- jungles can be little hellions, but I think a lot/most young pythons are.

I've got a JCP and a bredli, and I'd have to say the bredli is probably more forgiving in terms of husbandry, is a damn garbage disposal when it comes to eating, and a complete puppy dog in terms of temperament- has been from day 1.

Check with Nick Mutton (http://www.inlandreptile.com/)- he breeds OUTSTANDING bredli and coastals among others, and really knows his stuff.

//Todd

I will second the Bredlis (Centrillian) but I would also add Irian Jayas to the suggestion. They (Irian Jaya) also stay on the smaller side.

Good Luck,

Jeff
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http://www.montyspythons.com

11.11 Ball Python
1.0 Het Piebald Ball Python
0.1 Ball Python Ringer
1.0 Albino Ball Python
4.5.10 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ivory Jungle Carpet Pythons
2.2 Centrilian Carpet Python
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Python
1.1.6 Jayapura Green Tree Python
1.1 Kofiau Island Green Tree Pythons
1.1 Columbian Boa
2.2 California Kingsnake
3.2 Cats
0.1 German Shepard
0.0.3 Eastern Painted Turtle
1.0 Mouse "He is our friend NOT FOOD"
0.1 Rat "She is our Freind NOT FOOD"

Yeah- that's next on my wish list- an IJ!!!

If you can find a good one, they are absolutely STUNNING animals!!!

//Todd

Get a jungle. All baby spilota can be nippy, likewise 99% of them grow out of it. If you apply any amount of handling to an aggressive one, they will calm down very quickly.

I teach educational programs with Jungles all the time. You can reach into any of my adult cages at any hour of the day and pick up a jungle no probs (well, I do have one girl that may nail you, but that is quite the exception in a colony of more than 25 adults carpets).

Look at it this way, in a year you could have a gorgeous yellow and black serpent, or one that is the color of dirt.

Your choice. Good luck!



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Ben Team
Mark Davis
New Paradigm Herpetoculture
Captive Bred Morelia
404-438-2135
chondro776@yahoo.com

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Get whichever snake suits you best. Some like the IJCP better while others like the JCP better. Then there are others who like them all. Almost any snake can be a beaut if it's in a clean environment and has the appropriate contrasting background.

The Dumeril's boas looked very drab in the pictures I saw. However, when I held one in real life, it was unbelievable how much color the photos failed to capture. Before you make any decisions, perhaps you should hold one of each species that interest you and see how they look and behave. Then you won't be left always wondering.

I would probably get a Tiger-Jag for my first carpet. They are very pretty...

Chris

What was I thinking....obviously....actually a Zebra would be even better. lol
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Ben Team
Mark Davis
New Paradigm Herpetoculture
Captive Bred Morelia
404-438-2135
chondro776@yahoo.com