Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have decided to get a carpet python. I live in a city where Irian's, jungles's and coastal's are availble captive born (local private breeder). I am leaning towards a Irian Jaya, but would like to hear what in everyone who reads this opinion is on the best locality of carpet to have as a first. (I am leaning towards IJ because of the size, temperment, and looks)

thanks from
monocledcobra
kingcobra_193@hotmail.com

I would put them IJ, and then JCP for me. IJ seem to have the best attitude and very managable size. Might as well start with a cool snake that stay smaller then graduate to the bigger guys when your ready.
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

A smaller specimen is always the best to start out with. IJ's are small attractive and supposedly well tempered as Carpets go...Who could as for more?

For your second Carpet (because one is never enough), I think it really depends on you. Jungles are beautiful but I personally like the variety and mutability of the Coastal better. They are the largest of the Carpets and sometimes they're not so pretty, but they are becoming well known for genetic flukes. And to me that’s half the fun of the Coastals...All those possibilities!
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Takes all kinds to make a World...

For sure. I love coastals above the other carpets. I think their variable patterns are much neater than colour. Pattern doesn't change, but colour does and I don't like taking risks.
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~Katt

Nice to hear about other coastal 'junkies'...What do you have right now?

Darci
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Takes all kinds to make a World...

I personally love IJ's. I've handled many JCP's, but IJ's are MOSTLY much more calm. I think their colours are great, and they typically remain around 4.5 - 6 feet in length. Good luck...MIKE
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1.0 Reverse Okeetee, 0.1 Albino Snow, 1.0 Irian Jaya Carpet Python

Just figure out what subspecies you like the looks and size of, and go with it. There's really nothing more to it.

They can all be nippy or puppy tame, so talking about which type of Carpet has the best temperament is basically useless. Every time you see someone claim that one subspecies is generally "tamer" than another, there's always another guy that "knows from experience" that it's the other way around. That's because neither of them has kept enough specimens of all the different Carpet Python subspecies to be able to make that distinction. If you ask someone like VPI, who has had hundreds and hundreds of Carpet Pythons, I'd be willing to bet money that they'll tell you that it's all based on the individual animal.

I've had several Irian Jayas and Coastals, and a few Jungles. I've had sibling pairs and trios of all of the above, and I can tell you that they are all individuals...even within a clutch. I've had clutchmates whose attitudes have varied like night and day. I don't have any Jungles right now, but I've got Coastals and Irian Jayas that are completely 100% tame, and I've also got some that aren't so tame. All in all though, all but a handful of my Carpets have been very laid back.

>>I have decided to get a carpet python. I live in a city where Irian's, jungles's and coastal's are availble captive born (local private breeder). I am leaning towards a Irian Jaya, but would like to hear what in everyone who reads this opinion is on the best locality of carpet to have as a first. (I am leaning towards IJ because of the size, temperment, and looks)
>>
>>thanks from
>>monocledcobra
>>kingcobra_193@hotmail.com
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Anthony Caponetto
http://reptiles.drivennewmedia.com

Rather they are subspecies of Morelia spilota.

Coastals get big and are drab, although they have the benefit of the Jaguar mutation (droooooool). Irians stay small, but tend to have more Earthy tones and blander colors. Some people like this better, some people don't. Its all personal preference, and that's all that matters. Irian and JCP setup/care is virtually identical, so choose whichever one you find the most STRIKING. For me, the answer is obvious: (**plus**: Irians are STILL imported and as a breeder, I don't really feel lik competing with that market. I have a hard enough time trying to get rid my normal Ball Pythons that I hatch!!)