Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well my beautiful little JCP that I purchased, making the first-time-owner error of getting her with the knowledge that she was a picky eater (assist fed her whole life, a yearling), has shown no sign of being a picky eater. I've been feeding her a couple of live hopper mice at each feeding, and she seems to love them. After she ate without a single hesitation the first time I moved her into a ten gallon aquarium (dark on all but the front panel). I've tried to handle her daily (except the 48 hours after a meal) so as to tame her down. (she's nippy), and while she hid in the hide for the first few days, now she's voluntarily coming out of her hide and perched in the trees, very content. The last time I brought her out she didn't snap at me or anyone else either.

It may have been a whim to purchase this beautiful girl, but she's rapidly become one of my favorites. There's something about her that makes her seem to have a lot more personality than my kingsnakes and cornsnakes and ground snakes.

When she's too big for the 10 gallon she's in (how fast should THAT be?), will she be fine in an "adult sized" enclosure? I remember reading on here that a ten gallon is fine until she's 3.5 feet (although the length width of the ten gallon is only 30 inches). After that I intend to make her an arborial cage, with plenty of room.

Anyway, I'm very glad to have her and to have the experience. I might someday get a male for her and attempt to breed them, but I might just leave it at the one. She's a real pretty girl regardless.
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~Sasheena

Wish List:
0.1 adult Whitewater Rosy Boa
1.0 CB Spilotes Pullatus
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python

It appears that you are doing a great job, and providing the correct environment for you little one. Probably the original owners error which labeled a perfectly good snake as a problem feeder. Just keep handling her and possibly try to over stimulate her every now and then. By this I mean touch sensitive areas that produce strikes (tail, neck) and she will get used to it really quick. Put in the bite time while she is small and you'll be much happier later. Jungles are awesome snakes and much more shall I say exciting than most colubrids and some pythons. As for caging I would think a ten could last her till she's one on a modest feeding schedule. You could try to switch her to a larger enclosure by either placing her 10 inside the larger one, or just switching and watching very closely for any signs of stress...ie excessive hiding, non-feeding.
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http://www.moreliapythons.com

Sasheena,
Glad that your girl is eating well and acting normal. Nippiness should go away soon. My JCP is my favorite snake by far. My first snakes were corns and I love them, but as you said, JCPs seem to have more personality. I started with a 10 gallon and moved to a 23 gallon plastic enclosure when mine reached 24". I will probably used the LxW rule plus a few inches and move him into an adult sized cage when that time comes. If you use a transition cage before the big one, go with plastic. They are cheap and easy to maintain.
Brian

Hi.

I just got a small yearling female JCP. She's eating well (f/t rat pups -- switching over was easy) but she's quite nippy when handled. Strikes again and again, and stares at my face with a ready S-curve and heavy breathing just itching to nail me between the eyes!

I've been handling her for the past few days, even twice a day (although not right after she's eaten) and overstimulating her as J.K. pointed out. Any idea how long the taming process might take? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Bill

Some take a week, some take a few weeks and some never completely calm down, most calm down within a couple weeks if handled regularly.

cheers
M.S

WELL DONE! There is no better feeling than getting a non feeder to see the light and eat by themselves!

cheers
M.S

I'm so happy for you both!

For cage sizes I personally follow a rule of thumb. Its pretty generic but it seems to work well with just about any snake. The minimum lenth of a cage shouldn't be less than half of the lenth of the snake. This allows them to move around and not feel cramped when they get the urge to roam.

Hope this helps,
Darci

>>Well my beautiful little JCP that I purchased, making the first-time-owner error of getting her with the knowledge that she was a picky eater (assist fed her whole life, a yearling), has shown no sign of being a picky eater. I've been feeding her a couple of live hopper mice at each feeding, and she seems to love them. After she ate without a single hesitation the first time I moved her into a ten gallon aquarium (dark on all but the front panel). I've tried to handle her daily (except the 48 hours after a meal) so as to tame her down. (she's nippy), and while she hid in the hide for the first few days, now she's voluntarily coming out of her hide and perched in the trees, very content. The last time I brought her out she didn't snap at me or anyone else either.
>>
>>It may have been a whim to purchase this beautiful girl, but she's rapidly become one of my favorites. There's something about her that makes her seem to have a lot more personality than my kingsnakes and cornsnakes and ground snakes.
>>
>>When she's too big for the 10 gallon she's in (how fast should THAT be?), will she be fine in an "adult sized" enclosure? I remember reading on here that a ten gallon is fine until she's 3.5 feet (although the length width of the ten gallon is only 30 inches). After that I intend to make her an arborial cage, with plenty of room.
>>
>>Anyway, I'm very glad to have her and to have the experience. I might someday get a male for her and attempt to breed them, but I might just leave it at the one. She's a real pretty girl regardless.
>>-----
>>~Sasheena
>>
>>Wish List:
>>0.1 adult Whitewater Rosy Boa
>>1.0 CB Spilotes Pullatus
>>1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
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