Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a little more information about my new Coastal Carpet Python...

Unsure of the sex or age (as it was a gift) but I will ask next time I am at the Reprile store where my wife purchased him/her. It is only about 20 - 22" long and maybe at the most 3/4" diameter at the widest point so take your own guesses as to the size.

I was told that at the the shop they fed in his/her habitat (normally the case in stores) but was assured that the nippiness will go away with age and learning that it will be fed in a seperate feed tank. PLease do not sugar coat this for me is this true or false?

I live in Florida on the East coast and my snakes live on a semi-enclosed non-A/Ced or heated porch. My humidity ranges from 40%-70% and higher when it rains. Will this be OK? (My other snakes are BP, Keyan Sand Boa, and a Corn). They are all kept cages seperately in very good sized tanks. So what humidity do I need for a Coastal Carpet?

What temp range do I need to try and maintain?

Since I do not use a under tank heater as he/she is in a tree or branch all day how long do I leave the light one? Do I only turn it on at night or as needed? Help me out here. I currently have a UV 40 watt bulb. Do I turn it off during the day and on-at night for the additional heat?

I plan on going on a weekly feeding basis and I believe in smaller meals on a regular rather then huge meals where they gorge themselves. Is this appropriate method for Coastal Carpets?

I guess that's all for now... Thank you everyone so much!!!

Eric in Florida

>>I was told that at the the shop they fed in his/her habitat (normally the case in stores) but was assured that the nippiness will go away with age and learning that it will be fed in a seperate feed tank. >>
I feed all my snakes, including my carpets, in their enclosures, I see no advantage to feeding elsewhere. Most young snakes and new acquisitions are by nature nippy. Stress does amazing things to animals. Once it settles and gets a little growth on it, you will see a more mellow attitude.
>>I live in Florida on the East coast and my snakes live on a semi-enclosed non-A/Ced or heated porch. My humidity ranges from 40%-70% and higher when it rains. Will this be OK? So what humidity do I need for a Coastal Carpet?
>>
Mine stay around 65-70% or as close as I can get year round. Everyone has a water bowl large enough to soak and a humid hide.
>>What temp range do I need to try and maintain?
Rule of thumb for basically all species of pythons is 78-82. Mine tend to stay around 81 during the day and drop to 78 or so at night.
>>Since I do not use a under tank heater as he/she is in a tree or branch all day how long do I leave the light one? Do I only turn it on at night or as needed? Help me out here. I currently have a UV 40 watt bulb. Do I turn it off during the day and on-at night for the additional heat?
>>
What I would suggest is getting a nice temp gun and getting a feel for the temps in your enclosure before adjusting lights. Basically you want to ensure that temp range. Also look at CHE which produce heat but no light.
>>I plan on going on a weekly feeding basis and I believe in smaller meals on a regular rather then huge meals where they gorge themselves. Is this appropriate method for Coastal Carpets?
My adults get 1 xxl rat every 14 days, My smaller growing snakes get as much as they want to help with growth. They get fed weekly. I taper then around 2.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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