Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey folks, I just get my first Carpet Python, shes a little baby, I was wondering, should I take her out of her aquarium before feeding, I want her as tamed as possible, will do every thing to make her as sweet as honey.

Other then frequent handling and not moving my hands too fast, are there other things I can do?

I advocate feeding inside the cage. Years ago when I fed outside the cage was when I got bit the most. Would you rather have the snake feel it may be fed when taken out of the cage and held? Or it to associate not eating when taken out. Snakes are territorial and may strike a hand that enters the cage no matter where they are fed. Feeding inside the cage is much less stressful on the snake than to move it afte eating. Touch the snake on the nose/head with a snake hook anytime you open the cage except when feeding. The snake soon associates the hook with "no food" and you should both be fine. Bill.
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

Do you still get bit, basically my question is, will I ever trust my carpet as much as my ball python?

I'd say you certainly could trust them. But just as with keeping Ball pythons, you must learn to read them thru your gradual work with them and you will find what pushes their buttons and such. The misnomer that carpets are mean is perpetuated by those who have little expereince with any python really.
I keep many many carpets and I rarely get bit unless by a baby that I'm mucking with. One thing I can guarantee you is that a Capret is going to be FAR more interesting to both interact with and watch. And they feeed a heck of alot better.

Yasser

SPITFIRE REPTILES

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Man that is exactly what I was hoping to hear!!!
Thanx !!!

Agree totally with Yasser. I have kept many species of carpets along with boas, bloods, green anacondas, and retics. Baby carpets may be nippy but will grow into calm snakes. The point I ment to make was when I fed out of the cage, I got bit on a regular basis, especially when taking the snake out of the feeding container to put back in its cage. I had one large coastal carpet that would start biting as soon as she saw the feeding bin-lol. Since feeding inside the cage and using the hook method I have not been bit for years. Best of luck and enjoy your carpet-Bill.
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.

I agree completely. I have two very large and very active coastal carpets. I generally trust them even more than my ball pythons. But, I do handle them often and I feel I know their specific personalities well. The babies are sometimes snappy at first, but they calm down a lot with frequent handling. I always feed mine in their own enclosures. I've developed a habit that I tap on the side of the enclosure, like light drumming, with my fingers every time I feed them. They have learned that this means food! They go into a strong feeding response when I do this and then I'm careful where I put my hands. I also mist them a little just before I handle them, and never before I feed them. Now they associate misting with handling time. The only time I've ever gotten bitten was when I was careless with my hands during feeding.

I think it's important to be confident and fearless when handling. I do believe that they can sense your level of confidence and calmness. I had a friend with a ball python who was very snappy with him, but never when I handled it. I think he was nervous often when he handled this snake an the snake picked up on it and became nervous.

The picture here is of my little girlie. This was a few years ago and she's grown some more now. She loves to come out and have some human time.

That's awesome man, thanx alot. Ill be taping on the glass every time i feed them and mist every time i pick her up.

thanx again

shes a real beauty!!!