Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been looking at carpet pythons a little and am considering getting one.

there are two things that are kinda discouraging me, they sort of go together.

first, i dont mind having a snake that might bite me, but i was wondering how much damage an adult carpet python could do to me (they have really big teath dont they?) I dont want to have to get stiches or anything if it bites.

second, how big do the different types get. I think that carpet pythons look cool, and i want a snake that i can handle alot. 5-6 feet would be good (males are smaller right?)

so basicly, what is the size, temperment, and possible damage for each of the common types of carpet python?

i hear JCPs can be kinda mean.

I have a Coastal male that's 8', same as the female. LARGE heads. IJ Carpets are smaller, as are most of the rest. Jungles can get almost as large as Coastals. Bredls are smaller, but more expensive...and a good investment. My Carpets don't bite, except for one. The smallest Repeated gentle handling is the best thing.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Bredli are smaller?!!

I know someone with a pair - the female's 13 ft, the male's 12 ft. Obviously, there are always exceptions, but I understood the mean size to be in excess of 7 to 8 feet.

Cheers,
Aaron.
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Happy Herping

i agree. i have a pair of bredli yearlings and the female is already pushing over 4 feet! i think the IJ's are your best bet for a smaller carpet.

"Bredli are smaller?!!"

Ok....Yasser corrected me on this in another thread. I'm standing in the corner now, lol. Hey, if you left herps for 15 years, some things would be new to you, too...
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

well, i have a 7 foot JCP, i believe he is a he but never had him sexed, and he is very docile. only time he tried to bite me was when he was like 3 feet and i tried to move him from a feeding cage to his own cage. other then that...never has tried to bite me. unless of course he is in serious feeding mode. but right now he has decided to go on a fast since 9/9.

i've heard babies can be very nippy but grow out of that stage with constant, gentle handling.

" but right now he has decided to go on a fast since 9/9.'
Not unusual for males this time of year.
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
0.1 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
1.0 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I have an 8ft JCP female that is the most docile snake I've ever owned. I put her around my neck to give you some idea of how docile she is, I do not reccomend anyone do that with an animal as big or as strong but she just rests on my shoulders and hangs out. She has never bitten me, even when she was a baby she never struck. She is my baby and my favorits snake, not exactly a lap snake but very cool and easy to handle. She is the one snake I feel comfortable allowing kids to touch. Keep in mind every snake is different, everybody that chimes in here will give you an overall idea of what to expect but there are no guarantees. Good luck, handle your snake often and it should be fine, Eric-

I have two JCP's. The males get between 6 & 7 feet and the females 7 to 8 feet. I've found that their tempermant varies. I think it's best to get one young and with regular, gentle handling you might get a docile pet. My female was already a couple years old when I got her and she bit me everytime I picked her up for about a year. She's finally settling down, and has only bit me twice in the last 8 months or so. The bites don't hurt, but usually break the skin slightly, with tiny pin pricks showing droplets of blood. All the bites have been quick nips and let go, so far. My biggest concern is taking one to the face, so I don't really trust mine enough to give it a chance to get that close to my face. I just have to be very wary and control her constantly when I hold her.
My male on the other hand is great. I got him as a hatchling, and take him out to hold about once or twice a week and he has never bit me once. I've had him about a year now. I'm really hoping he'll grow up to be a pet that I can trust a little more than the female.
JCP's are nervous and nippy, but they are IMO the best looking snakes in the pet trade. I love the way they look perched on branches.
I understand the IJ's have a better tempermant and are very similar snakes, but they just don't look as pretty IMO to me.
The pics below are my two JCP's. One is the B#$%@ that bites everytime (also my favorite snake, btw) and one is the male that is much smaller, but I think he's going to be the best looking and so far has a great tempermant.
Good luck with your decision,
Kirk

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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback (Hondo)
0.1 Spouse (WC)
0.0.8 hatchling ball pythons

I've got a 5 year old female Jungle Carpet. She's 8ft long, and thick. Temperment wise she is great, now, but when I frist got her as hatchling she was rather nippy. I held everyday for ten mins or so and she calmed down. It didnt take long, just some patience. Now she is dog tame, never hisses or forms any threat pose. I can take her into a class room of children and she is fine.