Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone. I just acquired a new Jungle Carpet Python. I'm not exactly sure of the age as it was purchased from a local reptile store (they weren't exactly sure either, it wasn't hatched there) but it is very young...I'm guessing a couple of months. The snake is about 20 in. long and pinky thick.

I bought the snake along with three others (Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Cornsnake, Western Hognose)Wednesday, let them settle in for a couple days and tried to feed them for the first time yesterday (frozen/thawed hopper mice). The Hognose ate right away, the others wanted nothing to do with it. Today I offered the other three live pinky rats instead. The Corn and Boa ate fine...the JCP still won't budge. Anyone have any ideas? The snake seems perfectly healthy. I am keeping the snake in a 20 gallon tall with cypress mulch, some sphagnum moss moistened, hide spot, water/soaking bowl, branches to climb (where it stays 24/7), a heating pad under 1/2 of the tank and a 75 watt red reptile bulb overhead. Temps are low 70's on the cool side, mid 70's on the warm side, mid 80's half way up the branch and mid 90's at the high basking spot...he should be able to thermoregulate just fine. I have misted the tank daily to moisten the moss as well. Should I be worried or is this normal for this type of snake when first purchased? I just want to head off any potential problem as early as possible. I feel I'm doing what I should husbandry wise. Thanks for any input.

Jase,
My JCP was a PAIN in the eating department too when I got him.

He was eating before he was shipped to me, but was a VERY stubborn eater for several months- eats like a champ now!

Sounds like you've got your temps, hides, etc. all in order. It may take some more time- are you handling him at all? If so, I'd probably back off, and just leave him be for a while.

Also- have you tried live?

To get my little man started, I had to literally pester him with the F/T rat pinks, because he'd always come over to investigate, and would be really curious, but would never eat the thing.

So, I started bouncing the rat pink around all over the place to get his attention and stimulate him, and bounce it off his tail, mid-body, etc. because it looked like annoying him was going to encourage him to eat it... it eventually worked. I was doing that for several weeks until he started eating them himself off the tongs.

Like I said, he's an eating machine now...

//Todd

Shortly after I got him (October '06):

This past February:

Thanks, Todd. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who has had this problem with a new JCP.

The rat pinky I tried was live, but maybe it wasn't able to move around enough to stimulate the snake to feed. I'll wait a couple of days and try a live hopper. I got it to strike at the F/T mouse a couple of times by jiggling it in the snakes face, but I think it was more of a defensive thing than a feeding strike...never actually grabbed it. I would like to get it to eat F/T eventually but right now I just want to get it to anything so I know it isn't sick or something. No handling or anything else for a bit either. Hopefully that will work.

I can't see the pics of your snake...just a little red x. Might be my computer.

Yes- that's exactly what mine did, too- defensive strikes.

However, when he'd land one, I'd try to time it just right to get the thing stuck in his mouth. *Usually* if I did that, he'd end up eating it.

Hmmmm- not sure about the pics- you should see them.

PM me, and I'll email you the 2 pics...

//Todd

Try changing the color of the red bulb, to blue or ceramic.

Back when I bred jungles, I started them on live small hoppers. They might seem big for a small jungle, but they are perfect. If you can get them where they just have their eyes open that would be best. They jump and run around enough to make them mad. Most of my animals ate frozen thawed for their first meals, but there were a few stubborn feeders over the years. If that doesn't work, try a small strip of raw chicken.

Good luck.

Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com