Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking into purchasing a Jungle Carpet Python, however, information on them seems to be limited on the internet when compared to the oh so popular Ball Python. I was wondering how well these snakes fare with frequent, long periods of handling. Can a wrap one around my shoulders and stroll around the house or are they best left alone in their enclosure? Thanks.

i'd say they fare BEST with frequent handling. after a settling-in period, of course.
they tend to calm very quickly when handled often.
would i give them free reign within striking distance of my face?
not without a couple of years of unblemished good behavior.
and maybe not even then.
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freeloaders:
1.0 Morelia spilota cheynei
1.1 M.s. cheynei x mcdowelli
0.0.1 Liasis mackloti
1.1 Pantherophis guttata
1.0 Sternotherus carinatus
1.0 APBT
0.0.5 African/South American cichlids
?.? rats and mice

You havnt tried very hard to get info. Buy a Ball or maybe nothing at all.

Well, how about giving him some constructive advice instead of being a condescending jerk! Not everyone new to this knows all the correct sources for information. Isn’t this a place for information, or is it just a place to prove how much more you know than a beginner.

So, come on, put him on the correct path and spread the love for Carpets!

Sometimes you have to ask the stupid questions to get to the good ones.

WEST, Why try to turn someone away from the hobby like that?? Maybe he/she has a few questions and isn't great at searching the net for info...that means they're not fit to have a snake?? Do people need to be grandfathered into the hobby or something?? I'm glad I wasn't met with a response like that when I was new to herps...

Anyways,to the new guy/gal; check out the Carpet section at www.acreptiles.com. Great site with lots of info...on Carpets and Balls...also good care sheets at NERD...just type new england reptile into your search engine and the site info should come up...GOOD LUCK!!
PS Most people in the hobby are quite friendly and willing to help...
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JOHN H in NH

It's funny 'cause this guy w/ the snooty response asked some pretty basic questions himself in a post a few days ago...go figure...
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JOHN H in NH

http://www.geocities.com/cornsnake101/junglepage.htm
http://www.acreptiles.com/pythons.htm

here are a couple sites i found with info on JCP's. they make good pets only they are not one to just hang out on your sholders. i have one that is 6 plus foot and when i have him out he is very curious and wants to check out everything vs. just 'hanging out' like a boa or a ball. he loves to cruse the back yard when i let him down.

i've read they are nippy as babies and some are hard to get to eating. once large enough to take to rats its best to switch them over. some folks have 6-8 foot JCP's that won't eat rats so tring to feed them a bunch of mice is a chore.

Safari is great. He will hang out on his branches, lets me handle him at any time. Eats f/t rats. a nice all around pet.

West is kinda right that the person who asked this question has not tried hard i just searched jungle carpet ptyhons on google and right away got information on handling it was the first website that came up i dont want to be mean but it seams he/she is not ready yet. and since he/she didnt know about handling i figure that this person hows searched on cage size light bulbs heating (The Basic Stuff Needed). im sorry if im being mean but im 13 and i have 2 jcps and a burm and i did my research and asked owners and pet stores if i could help with a full grown jcp and a burm so i knew what i was getting into. all 3 of my snakes are very healthy and very docile. i also made sure that my dad would help me when my snakes got bigger like my burm and i always have someone help me with my burm.
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1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.0 Albino Burmese Python

I'm pretty sure this site exists as a means of sharing information. I'm certainly not suggesting that everyone run out and get themselves a snake w/o being well informed but that's the point...it's ok to ask questions here. I guess I just thought the response was inappropriate. No one suggested WEST get a dog when he asked a bunch of questions a few posts ago...I do understand that when your passionate about something that it could bother you to see people just jumping in...as if there were nothing to it...but we can be polite, can't we?
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JOHN H in NH

I was just reminded by the 13 year old that a wide variety of people ask questions on this site. You could be telling an 8 year old that his questions are stupid and too basic or maybe a senior citizen (that has barley mastered how to post) that she is not trying hard enough to research information before interrupting THE GODS with a question.

Be nice Be helpful Behave

Your right. That was an uncalled for response. I was drunk when I wrote that.

No, I am by no means an expert or close to that catagory. However, it struck me as a bit lackadaisical on their part to ask that question when all they have to do is read. If they plan on keeping any snake they will need to reaserch info. as situations arise or better yet before they do and clean its cage and change water and feed and check temps. etc., etc. That was my point that I did not state wisely.

im sorry if i was mean its just that i care about animals a lot and i love all my animals and would hate to see someone buy a snake and not treat it properly.
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1.1 Morelia Spilota Cheyni - Jungle Carpet Pythons
1.0 Albino Burmese Python

It’s nice to see that someone of your age has taken on a couple of cool snakes! At your age I had two Red tail boas (I was the only person that I knew of who had Boas). No help but I had the library (up state NY, 1979). Now my 7 year old is looking up stuff about her Corn snake on her pc!

Please post pics of both of your snakes so we can check them out!

-Rich

That’s cool West.

Back to handling… I found that my JCP would strike at anything when I first got her (hatchling), so I took some advice and used a hook or a thin glove to remove her from the tank. After she was out I could handle her with out getting bit.

I think it’s important to mention, that you should handle your snake much more often than you feed it. If you only handle it for removal of feeding, it will associate you handling it with food, and could provoke a strike. By the way, I don’t handle the food item until I have put the snake into its feeding container!

My Irian Jaya of the same age has never shown me any aggression, but doesn’t feed with the same gusto! It just seems mellower.

With some time and persistence, I’m sure you won’t have a problem. Putting my JCP back into its cage is like putting the kids in the car at the park! I think she’s trying to tell me “just 10 more minutes Dad”.

PS:
West, don’t drink and type, just kidding

That's a PWI (posting while intoxicated) 1st offense...no problem west...anyways...I have a couple of 6' Jungles (and some smaller ones) that I handle regularly...they seem to appreciate getting out of their enclosures for a cruise...as mentioned in the last post, it's important that you not condition the snake to associate your entering the enclosure as strictly a meal time occurence. Although they usually seem to enjoy the handling, it's important to get a feel for a snakes body language as even the most tolerant of snakes can get stressed if you overdue it...slow, deliberate movement around them while they're out helps to keep them calm. Good luck!
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JOHN H in NH

It all depends on the individual snake. I have an 8 footer that I can throw over my shoulders and walk around the house, she's very docile. A year ago I wouldn't have tried it. She has calmed down a lot over time. Ball Pythons are very predictable, some people think JCP's are less predictable but again it depends on the snake. I have been around juvi's that will strike at anything that moves, I've also seen babies that seem to enjoy being handled. If you get one, just take baby steps and feel it out. You'll get the feel for what that particular snake will and will not be comfortable with. Also, probably a good idea to get a baby, that way you grow with the snake. By the time it's full grown, with consistent handling it should be fine. Good luck, Eric-

I love the pattern on that snake...neat dorsal stripe.
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JOHN H in NH