Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, i have read up for about a week on JC Pythons, this afternoon a friend of mine gave me her's as well as a huge tank, stand and lots of goodies (for free!!!!).

Anyhow, I know that they tend to be very well tempered, so i'm not afraid of picking him up, but what is the best approach for this? What is the best way to simply pick him up? It seems like a silly question, but i cant find any answer online.

Also, though i plan to just use the (freshly) pre-killed rats from the local pet store, on the off chance i have some frozen ones, what is the best method to thaw; and how do i know when it is adequately thawed?

Thanks in advance.
Jason

I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Some people thaw with warm water, others put it over the heat vent. It can be a bit cool to the touch, but MAKE SURE there are no frozen sections still in the rat. Any warm source will actually work, just varies the thawing time. Don't use the microwave.....

As to picking the snake up, be gentle, don't approach from the front. Pick it up a little in front of midbody, but not loose enough or shaky that the snake thinks it's going to fall. Remember, your body warmth is hotter than the snake will actually ever be. For the most part, a snake that's 99 degrees all over is a dead snake.
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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
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I have one bit of advise; even though it is tempting don't even think about using the microwave.

haha, yeah. I assumed that was out of the question, i dont think he would want a rat that is as hot as lava on the outside and frozen in the center.

About 20 years ago, I put a frozen mouse in my wife's microwave.... She still bugs me about it... It popped..... Smelled weird, too.
-----
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
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I have one burm, that only eats microwaved prey. I'll grant this, I have a microwave that adjusts to super low heat. So thats what I use.
Have'nt had anything explode yet. I also bleach the inside when I'm done.
Kills that funky smell.
As far as a carpet python, was it eating rats before? You may be in for a big suprise if it was'nt. And if you approach a lively carpet python too quickly, you may be in for a very big suprise.
Although once I get my 6 1/2 JCP out of the cage she's quite a sweetheart. Very curious...Very Active.
Enjoy.

Invest in a snake hook. This way your snake will know the difference between food time, and handle time.
I always start taking my snakes out of the cages using my snake hook, just so they know I am not food.

i was thinking of feeding them with tongs and using a heavy gardening glove to initially pick him up.

I believe that it was eating to smaller mice at a time instead of one rat, i dont know for sure, but he took it and quickly ate it.

What sort of surprises are you talking about?

just out of curiosity why is she giving you this jcp for free? that is great for her to do that. but some people pass then on becasue they won't eat or something like that.

i have a 7 foot male that is on a hunger strike. how old/big is the one your getting? mine is eating jumbo rats. at least he was. i thaw mine out in fridge over night. they are rock hard. then i set it out to warm up. sometimes you just have to pick up the rat and feel that its thawed. don't worry it (the rat) won't bite you. good luck with yours.

It was her ex-boyfriend's, he is going into the Marines(i think) and cant take it with him and he wanted someone to have it that would take care of it.

Im not sure how old it is (i'll ask), but i do know it eats, i fed it for the(my) first time the other day and he takes fairly large prekilled rats.

As far as i can tell he is healthy and happy, i just did a little work to the cage securing the fake vines and such(the suction cups keep falling); and he was checking it out and was pretty active last night/this morning.

Also, i guess i'm just saying "he" because i just sort of assume it's a male. I honestly don't know, i will ask when i ask about the age.