Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got two things for you, the first involves Jungle Carpets, I have posted in both forums but I think I am more likely to get an experienced post in this forum as to better how I care for my snakes. EX: Not freaking out over what may be nothing.

Well, here it goes...I came home today, and my male carpet, who is about 6 feet, was relaxing except for...his belly was flipped up and he was all twisted up looking. Like his spine was al lfunky looking. Well, me, I'm totally freaking out over this. I checked on him, and he looked at me like 'What? Why are you bothering me?'. He promptly straightened himself out but i'm left wondering...Was he just relaxing? I'm positive he's a male, I've only heard of females doing that when they are ovulating or gravid. Or is it something I need to worry about? I have had him for less than 6 months but I've never seen him do it before.

Here is the topic part. What would be smarter? My friend has a baby pastel male, and I want a spider female. We were thinking of breeding them eventually. Key word...eventually. My real question is, would it be smarter to do THAT, or, in my case to have an adult female pastel who would most likely be ready next year? My decision is between baby spider, adult male spider, or adult(sub-adult?) female pastel, and I can't decide! Help would be appreciated...

with the balls, I'm in no rush. I'm obviously new to breeding, but I have well-being of any pythons involved put first. The female I have in mind is 8 or 900 grams right now, so i'm thinking she might be ready or...waiting another year after that. I prowl these forums often but usually don't post as often as I should, do to shyness of being a total noob when it comes to breeding and everything. There are so many different opinions it is hard to form just one of what is right!

-> about the jungle, he was mostly just belly up. His spine looked all wierd, but it was him being 2/3 belly up that worried me...

I don't know anything about jungle carpets, so...

as for the other question...which do you want more?
Super pastels or bumblebees?

If you want super pastels, get the female pastel. If you want bumblebees, get the female spider.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

at a begining weight of 1500 grams before breeding. 900 is way to small. As for the Carpet question, have you contacted any breeders of carpets to see if they have experience with this type of situation. Good luck.
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I do not have jungles. But I have seen my Blackhead do similar things. Maybe digesting a meal or laying a different way. I wouldn't be to worried.
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www.hybridhaven.net

carpets,balls,everything rolls around and lays on it's side or upside down......like you said...it looked at you like "what"...so he's probably fine....my carpets did that stuff all the time....

as for balls...you are in no hurry?......buy baby pastel pair and spider female and anything else you want...prices dropped so badly you can afford lots of babies for what a 900 gram female would cost you I bet....

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If your carpet was responsive to you (I'm assuming he was since he look at you funny, ha) -- ie. moved moved when he heard you, reacted to your touch, etc -- and he had the ability to right himself on his own, I wouldn't be worried. Sometimes they just act weird. Keep a close eye on him. thats all you can do.

And for the female, I'd buy the sub-adult female pastel if she's reasonably priced. Now what you can do is buy a baby/younger/2008 male pastel AND a baby/younger/2008 male spider. Baby male pastels are exceptionally cheap, and spider males are reasonable also now. They'll grow right along with her, and she'll be up to breeder size the same time she is. Or buy one baby now (the male pastel or the male spider), and the other later, just not as a hatchling -- a little older -- if funds allow.

That way you can breed them both to her and shoot for super pastels and bumblebees. Tough odds, but it has happened! Plus it makes your first clutch ever that much more exciting since you don't know what you'll get.

Just my two cents. When it all comes down to it though, its all you and all your opinion. Good luck!

P.S. Don't be shy to post. A lot of us on here aren't vicious and are happy to help. PM/E-mail me if you'd like with more questions.
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

Males will lay inverted at times. It is just that females are more likely to do it when they are gravid. Like the others said, keep an eye on him but don't freak out too much as long as his other behaviors are well within the realm of "normal" he is most likely fine.

If you are in no hurry to breed(I'm assuming your neither is your friend) get the baby Spider. Between you and your friend you will be able to produce all of the combos you listed in your original post.

I know prices drop but I wouldn't suggest going hog wild and purchasing a bunch of babies. Take your time, buy your female spider, get to know her quirks and what it takes to care for her. Then as you become more experienced with her you can start adding on the other morphs you are looking into. Your female will have gained some size and will be closer to being able to breed by the time you decide (IF you decide) to purchase a male.

The prices always drop, but don't overextend yourself either financially or time-wise.