Ordered a coastal carpet python...

[lougotzz]

It was a WYSIWYG from lllreptile. He is male and 49" long. My only question is how long would you wait inbetween feedings for this guy? I've only really owned boas with the exception of two ball pythons so pythons are kind of new to me.

Thanks.

[RBDTerrell]

My Carpets around that length get a small rat weekly (or 7-10 days). It is all subject to the girth of the animal at that length and what you feel is an appropriate size meal.

[Mikoh4792]

For now try a small rat as RBD advised and see how long it takes for the snake to digest and make a bowel movment. My IJ male is about the same size and gets a small rat every 7-14 days. Pretty soon I will move him up to small/medium rats.

[franks]

How long you wait depends on what you feed him. Carpets can put down surprisingly big meals. My girls is around 58" and eats everything from small to full large rats. I would agree with Mikoh that it's best to start small and observe with new snakes.

[lougotzz]

Okay this works out well because I have a whole bag of small rats lol. I should be getting the snake Wednesday so I can check out his size.

[lougotzz]

Do you guys like your carpets?

[IW17]

I love my carpet. He does not feel the same towards me lol.

[Mikoh4792]

Do you guys like your carpets?

Absolutely love them. In my opinion they are like ball pythons except arboreal, more active, and more readily accepting of food(this is an understatement).

[franks]

Absolutely love them. In my opinion they are like ball pythons except arboreal, more active, and more readily accepting of food(this is an understatement).

Haha! Perfectly said... that's pretty much why we like them... because they are the opposite of ball pythons.

Those of us with carpets absolutely love them. I have actually never met a snake keeper who didn't like his carpet. They are awesome snakes. Like Mikoh said they are fascinating to watch. When they get bigger (about the size yours is now) they start getting pretty confident and many will spend the day out in view and on display. Some carpet keepers don't even offer hides. My girl only uses her hide the day after she eats. They are generally pretty docile although some are cage aggressive (most of the time it's due to a strong feeding response.) Many pretty big breeders have all told me that even without handling their snakes they are all docile except for a few.

If your snake comes and is a little defensive be patient with him, most come around. I would suggest making a "turn off switch." Mine is a tiny snake hook but it can be anything- some use paper towel holders. Anyway find an object that you will use to tap your snake on the nose before handling. He will learn that this means your hand is coming and not a rat. Works pretty well. Best of luck- can't wait to see pictures.

[Mikoh4792]

If your snake comes and is a little defensive be patient with him, most come around. I would suggest making a "turn off switch." Mine is a tiny snake hook but it can be anything- some use paper towel holders. Anyway find an object that you will use to tap your snake on the nose before handling. He will learn that this means your hand is coming and not a rat. Works pretty well. Best of luck- can't wait to see pictures.

+1 Mine calm down as soon as the hook starts lifting them up. Snaps them right out of the "S pose" they get into when something goes into their enclosure.

[lougotzz]

Lol after years of keeping boas I actually just ordered my first snake hook yesterday.

I've read several different opinions on humidity...what do you guys keep your levels at? I've read 40-60% my PVC plastic with aspen bedding seems to easily maintain 50%.

[Mikoh4792]

Lol after years of keeping boas I actually just ordered my first snake hook yesterday.

I've read several different opinions on humidity...what do you guys keep your levels at? I've read 40-60% my PVC plastic with aspen bedding seems to easily maintain 50%.

That's fine. I don't worry about humidity levels when it comes to carpets. I just make sure it's not too dry, nor too humid(bacterial growth). Though I do still keep an accurite thermometer/hydrodmeter in my enclosures and they read around %50 as well. Dryer in the winter, and more humid in the summer.

PVC cage with solid top and a water bowl...you've got nothing to worry about!

[franks]

+1 Mine calm down as soon as the hook starts lifting them up. Snaps them right out of the "S pose" they get into when something goes into their enclosure.

Isn't that cool? It's pretty instant. It reminds me of a dog that has to reluctantly submit. I keep humidity same as Mikoh.

Do you have any pics of the guy? When is he due to arrive?

[lougotzz]

Isn't that cool? It's pretty instant. It reminds me of a dog that has to reluctantly submit. I keep humidity same as Mikoh.

Do you have any pics of the guy? When is he due to arrive?

He should be here Wednesday, I was originally going to get a Colombian boa but saw him and thought it was cooler. I will post pics up when I get him I'm so excited.

I have two dwarf boas so I'm looking forward to getting something that could get a bit bigger.

Anyone know their growth rate? How long, on average, will it take the snake to go from four to eight-ten feet?

[lougotzz]

My cage has a few perches too so he should enjoy that...

[franks]

Yeah they love to climb. As he gets bigger just make sure the perches are thick enough and he will continue using them. Growth rate is tricky for numerous reasons. The chances that you have a pure coastal are pretty slim- the morelia localities and bloodlines are so mixed up at this point. That being said it's hard to know what genes you are dealing with. The best indicator of potential size would be the parents but bigger distributors like lllreptile may not have that information.

A factor of importance in determining his eventual size is how he is fed. Starting Weds you are in control of that but for (at least) the first year and change of his life someone else was feeding him. Coastals, especially males, do not necessarily have to reach those bigger sizes. Many attain sizes similar to female jungle carpets.

Basically, if you want him to be bigger you would just start feeding him larger prey. Just be careful not to power feed him because you want a bigger snake. Personally at that size I would not feed more than every 10 days. Mine generally waits 14 days or more.

[Mikoh4792]

Anyone know their growth rate? How long, on average, will it take the snake to go from four to eight-ten feet?

Depends what kind of coastal he is, and how much you feed him as Frank mentioned.

Coastals from northern localities or with northern blood get smaller on average than coastals from southern localities or with southern blood. From what I have been told by breeders of coastals, the northern localities don't get much bigger than jungles and the southern ones(ie. brisbane) are the huge monster carpets.

But then again you could feed any carpet a lot and they have the potential to get big. Just remember feeding them too much isn't healthy.

[RBDTerrell]

Do you guys like your carpets?

I love all 17 of my Carpets! :crazy: I also work with Bloods, Sumatran, Borneo ST, Balls, and a few Colubrids. Out of all, Carpets are what I am truly passionate about. Their inquisitive nature and gentle demeanor as adults makes them such a joy to work with.

[Tigerhawk]

I look forward to seeing pictures,of him when you get him. I'am thinking about getting one myself. I'am just waiting for the next reptile show that will be in October. To get one myself.

[franks]

I look forward to seeing pictures,of him when you get him. I'am thinking about getting one myself. I'am just waiting for the next reptile show that will be in October. To get one myself.

What locality are you considering?

[lougotzz]

http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/35556032@N06/14844742865/

I hope I did this right with the photo, lol... Here is my new python I received today. He looks to be very healthy!

[franks]

Nope. Got nothing.

[SnoopySnake]

When I tried to click it said webpage unavailable, but I made the https into http: and it worked..Nice looking carpet :)

[lougotzz]

Thanks^

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35556032@N06/14844742865/

Okay, this is the revised link! Hope everyone can see now

[Mikoh4792]

Very pretty! I see you are keeping him in a PVCcage from Jim. Great enclosures.


Though 74F seems a bit cool for ambient temps. i would try bumping that up to 80F.

[lougotzz]

Very pretty! I see you are keeping him in a PVCcage from Jim. Great enclosures.


Though 74F seems a bit cool for ambient temps. i would try bumping that up to 80F.

Yeah it usually stays around 80, I had the A/C on and the door had been open for a while, lol. The temp is hovering around 79-81 now.

[EL Ziggy]

Very nice carpet. Congrats on the new addition!

[NewSAHSnakeMom]

Nice and beautiful!

[franks]

Good looking guy! Any chance you can snap a head shot photo for us?

[pinefamily]

Very nice looking python. Hard to tell from the photo of it is pure coastal. Be prepared for a big snake if it is, lol. Most coastals grow to 2.5 or 3m. We have two young coastals, they are both very placid creatures.

[lougotzz]

Good looking guy! Any chance you can snap a head shot photo for us?

Sure!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35556032@N06/14840017566/

[franks]

Sure!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35556032@N06/14840017566/

Thanks! I love the snake! Great looking guy. I subscribe to a theory that D Roddy was explaining to me which in short is that carpet pythons with a head pattern like that (skull and crossbone) originate from snakes living under the canopies (ie jungle carpets) which, if you believe in this, would suggest that you do not have a pure coastal. That being said, there are many who believe there is no such thing as a pure coastal in the U.S. All of this means kittle- you have an awesome looking snake. I just love an excuse to ramble about Carpets and I figured I would give you my opinion on its bloodlines.

How is your guy acclimating to your care? Any questions thus far?

[Kera]

Wow very nice. :) Best wishes to you, I love both carpets that I've owned. Very different characters. :)