Reptile & Amphibian Forums

np

Yes. (if you can read and follow instructions, they can be the best pet snake you ever own!).

I have always kept boas, and my Carpet is the first python I have owned, but I have had experience with some of the bigger pythons (retic and burm) as well as with friends' ball pythons and other smaller snakes. In my opinion, the Carpet Python is one of the easiest snakes to keep successfully, as well as a visually stunning showpiece. Here are some of the pros (and a con or two): The JCP is a fairly hardy captive which seems to accept a wide range of temperature/humidity settings without problems. This is not to say that you shouldn't strive for the best possible habitat, but your Carpet won't require expensive and tricky misters or strict temperature cycling. Mine just moves from one part of her cage to another and seems perfectly happy with absolutely no shedding problems. JCPs are fairly active. Mine will use her hide box at times, but also spends a decent amount of time "on display." She will climb and rest on a perch or any other high point. Many ball pythons like to hide the majority of the time, and big boas don't climb much as they get older. Sizewize, I think the JCP at 6-7 feet long and 10 pounds as an adult is a clear winner. It is large enough to be interesting, but not large or strong enough to be dangerous. Adult JCPs which have been handled gently and regularly will become docile and trustworthy. Con: this does not hold true for hatchlings and juveniles which will bite everything in site for months. I had this experience, my friends have had it, and the forums are filled with people asking "when will my Jungle stop biting." Be patient, their little teeth can't do much damage. Wear gloves if you want. Mine just stopped biting one day at about 6 months and hasn't even threatened since (5 years). If she did bite me now, she isn't really big enough to do any real damage (boas are docile as well, but when they hit you, they can get you pretty good). Con: the rat thing. Some people have a hard time getting their JCPs to eat rats, and rats are the only practical food for a snake this size. My python and I had a bit of a battle of wills on this one and she didn't eat for several months, waiting for a juicy mouse to wander by. But she didn't lose any weight to speak of, always seemed alert and healthy, and when she got good and hungry, a rat seemed like as good a food as anything. No feeding problems since, although every year she fasts over the winter with no ill effects. Con: don't underestimate the JCPs skill as an ESCAPE ARTIST. I was warned about this, and for the first year, my python was kept in what I called Maximum Security Prison (a plastic shoebox with a clamp-top inside a 20 gallon aquarium with a slide top and security pins. After a couple of years, I got sloppy, left the pins out, and she pushed the screen aside and escaped. I coaxed her out of hiding with a nice warm rat, and she hasn't had the chance to repeat that excursion. Last word of advice: pay a little extra and get your snake from a breeding line with bright yellow high contrast parents. You'll be glad you spent the extra dough.

Good luck