Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had a 4.5' JCP for about 1.5 months. From day one I've noticed that often when she exhales, she "whistles"; and every now and then she lets air that sounds a little like the air brakes on a tractor trailer, although quieter.

I noticed today that as I held her, she was quiet for about the first two minutes or so but then started the sounds for the rest of the session. She does seem to be a little uptight when I handle her, but then again, she's my first JCP. I listened to her a couple times last night while she was in her cage in her hide, but didn't hear her breathing.

I had an adult Bredl's for a few days in my home and he made almost the same sounds that I hear my JCP making.

She's eating well. I've never seen mucous in her nostrils or coming out of her mouth. I've never seen her hold her mouth open or even yawn.

Have you all noticed this with your JCPs? I've read elsewhere that many JCPs whistle and "hiss" when stressed.

I have four JCP's, two males and two females. The females have never hissed or whistled. The younger male (about a year and a half old) will whistle upon exhalation after he has been handled for a little while - this is often my cue that he has had enough and needs to be put back in his cage. The older male (three years and approaching six feet will "huff" at me when he is restrained or prevented from going somewhere that he wants to go while he is out of his cage - I take this as a sign of his being displeased with something I have done, but it never leads to anything more aggressive on his part.

I would say that the hissing you hear is common for a JCP that is feeling stressed. Hope this helps. Good luck with your JCP - they are great snakes.