Which advice?

[jjnnbns]

I've read about 10 or so care sheets on the Jungle Carpet python and there are a few conflicting points that I am wondering about.

Do I need a heat lamp above as well as a UTH?
Should I remove them with a hook, are they a mean snake? Most sites have said nothing other than them being nippy when young, but I can't see how that would require a snake hook.

Thanks

[emroul]

I don't use a heat lamp to heat my JCP.. I am pretty sure most snakes don't need overhead heat; so heating with a UTH would work just fine. (At least it does for me). And snake hooks are worthless for JCP's, and alot of nonvenomous snakes IMHO. They certainly aren't mean, and if there happens to be an exception, you shouldn't pick one up with a hook. Just get some courage and pick it up with your hands, lol. The bite isn't that bad from a full grown JCP from what I've heard. Also, if you get one as a hatchling, it may be nippy. Mine certainly was. But their tiny little teeth are so small you can't even feel anything; they don't even puncture the skin when they are that small. I wouldn't worry about it.

Hope that helped. :) Someone with more experience can probably give you hands on details concerning adults JCP's.

[jjnnbns]

Thanks, I really dont think that what I heard was correct as it was only in 1, mayb two of the multiple sites I looked at. I'm not afraid of a little bite and I wouldn't even know how to use a hook anyways. I grew up catching any snakes I could barehanded and the bites never seemed to bother me.

[JDouglas]

The bite isn't that bad from a full grown JCP from what I've heard.

It isn't that bad but it is bad enough to want it not to happen again. Maybe I'm just a wuss. I got nailed on the fingers by a 4 ft IJCP and she wrapped around my wrist and didn't let go for about a minute. I had bruising on my fingers with multiple pin holes and some blood. Now I always use a hook to pick her up because she has this super strong feeding response and had nailed me on three different occasions. Since I began using a hook she hasn't even struck at me. Once out of her cage she is very calm. I wouldn't want to get nailed by a six footer. Can someone post feeding pics that show their teeth?
Heat lamps work well if you are having trouble keeping temps up with only an under tank heater.

[jjnnbns]

Heres a great video of the feeding response of a carpet!! I think its an awesome movie!

http://www.wowzy.com/movies/shaggympeg2big.mpg

[Piers]

I use a hook for some of my bigger snakes just because if you startle them when they are sleeping they sometimes strike first and ask questions later.
I've been bitten by lots of snakes and they aren't a big bother, but I'd still rather not when possible.
Piers

[Dom]

Emroul..

I don't wanna be rude but watch what u say .. man that is lots of free info you are giving out ..

""I don't use a heat lamp to heat my JCP.. I am pretty sure most snakes don't need overhead heat; ""

Its one way of heating .. realistically snakes tend to heat up in a few ways in the wild .. one being absorbing sun (basically a heat lamp) .. ambiant temps .. warm rocks (uth) .. As to saying most snakes don't need Overhead heat ... Quite the statement .. Its a great tool IMO that should not be overlooked..


"""""""They certainly aren't mean, and if there happens to be an exception, you shouldn't pick one up with a hook. Just get some courage and pick it up with your hands, lol. The bite isn't that bad from a full grown JCP from what I've heard.""""""""


Man Where to begin with this stateman .. Obiously u don't realize how much of an amazing tool a snake hook is .. I would never ever ever consider not using one. You are telling him to not use a hook .. thats crazy! ..

Some are nasty .. some are tame .. some have incredible feeding response.. I have a puppy tame adult jungle .. and I still use my hook in order to prevent a feeding response .. then free handle her.. My male is a psycho .. Its not a matter of courage man .. A bite from an adult really hurts and it is stressfull on the snakes for no reason .. using the hook - they never strike at it .. its inanimate.. I can handle and move it with limited stress on the animal and not get bitten .. i see no reason why u would say YOU SHOULDN"T pick one up with a hook .. what a statement!

Obviously you have not been bitten by adults.. courage my A$$.. It has nothing to do with that ..

These are just my thoughts..

Dom

[emroul]

"Obviously you have not been bitten by adults" -You're absolutely right, and that is why I stated, "...from what I've heard." These are my thoughts, and those are obviously your thoughts. To each his own, and that's what forums are for. What works for one, may not work for another. That is why I state "IMO". I don't use heat lamps, I never have, and my snakes seem to be doing just fine. That's what works for me. He asked, I told. I also only use snake hooks for rattlesnakes. I do see how useful snake hooks are. I would say if this topic was about a retic a burm, I would say definately get a snake hook (but then again I probably wouldn't be replying, as I know nothing about the two). I honestly (again, IMO) see no point in using a snake hook for a JCP. But if you want to, go right ahead. I'm not telling you not to, I'm telling you what I think, my opinion, my point of view. Is that fair? :)

Jennifer

[gonesnakee]

Using a snake hook with any Python of any size is standard procedure. Hook the snake & then free handle it. The hook tells the snake right away that it is handling time not feeding time. Theres nothing to be proud of by being tagged. The snake doesn't need it & neither does the keeper. Why risk injury to yourself or your animal for no reason whatsoever. It has nothing to do with being a wimp or anything its called standard procedure & should be followed. Mark I.
P.S. Lets not be so emotional people, lighten up eh! LOL :p

[Dom]

Jenefer..

All is defenetly fair! lol

I was just sharing my thoughts with your thoughts.. that is what forums are for. I hope I did not offend you as those were not my intentions..

Usually .. when ppl oppose in oppinions .. thats when we learn

Take care
Dom

[vanderkm]

We used hooks with all our carpet pythons to let them know they were going to be picked up. They never struck at the hook and they usually responded by moving forward onto it so they were easier to pick up. Definately agree with Mark - part of a good practice - whether bites are painful is not the issue - any bite, in defense or a misdirected feeding response, is just not a good idea and better to prevent them.

The real advantage of a hook with young carpets (especially for inexperienced handlers) is that you can pick them up without grabbing them tightly. Being tightly restrained seems to be quite stressful for them and will induce them to bite in defense to free themselves. If you hook them, and lift them, they will crawl onto your opposite hand and you can then keep them moving between two hands without gripping them tightly. They are quite different to handle than boas or ball pythons in our experience,

mary v.

[WJLeary]

I personally do not use hooks for any of my Carpets, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, by all means use one. Adult Carpets are capable of inflicting serious bites. They have very large teeth, and powerful jaws. They should always be treated with caution, and the utmost respect.

I can post pics of an adult Carpet bite if everyone wishes to see them. However, I will warn you that they are pretty graphic.

[Derrick]

hey they would be great to see Will. Finding out before hand what its like might create a bit more caution/respect to myself and others before we actually experience it for ourselves

[JDouglas]

Hey Wil I think pics would be nice to see! One time while holding an IJCP she began watching my watch hands tic tic tic. I thought it was weird and kinda funny and then wham she bit my watch/wrist and coiled my arm. Then I didn't think it was too funny. Now the watch comes off when I hold any snake and I always use a hook.

[vanderkm]

Not a picture of a bite, but one of the teeth of our 2.5 year old male Irian Jaya carpet python. The top ones are in focus anyway - was taken with an old camera - not great resolution.

He was about 5 feet long at the time and quite girthy - this was just a yawn - realigning jaws after feeding and he was never aggressive. The teeth are not that long, but are very sharp and there are lots of them!

mary v.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/63Taz_teeth.jpg

[Derrick]

awesome picture vanderkm.

I think with carpets if you are going to get hit you're almost better not to see it comming or nerves of steel. I think the jerk reaction most people have dramaticly increases the damage. Mind you if you're quick enough there's no dammage at all:)

[Big_V]

Wicked picture vanderkm.....gives ppl an idea of what they are in for if being tagged. I can vouch from experience that biites from carpets do hurt. Ive been bit by a 6 foot long carpet...RITE ON THE FACE !! definately not COOL....and trust me....it hurt !!

[JKUROSKI]

I recently got tagged by a 7 foot coastal, and I can attest it does not feel very pleasent. It had three of my fingers in it's mouth and bit to the bone. I still have a row of scabs and bruising a week later.

[WJLeary]

Unfortunately the pics aren't very clear. They were taken with an old camera, and I shot them myself directly after being bitten. I hope they prove to be educational nonetheless.

http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/WJLeary/May02_02.jpg

This was the result of an 8-1/2' Coastal Carpet. The bite was located just under my right bicep, where the elbow bends on the inside of the arm. The snake not only latched on, but also proceeded to constrict -- not a pleasant experience. As you can see, there was a good deal of bleeding, some immediate bruising (visible in the next photo), and most of my arm was already swollen. The puncture wounds were deep, and I could feel pain from my fingertips all the way to my shoulder. Imagine what the bite would have looked like had I tried to quickly pull away!

http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/WJLeary/May02_03a.jpg
This photo was taken immediately after rinsing off the bite with cold water.

http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/WJLeary/CoastalB3.jpg
Here's a shot of the bite about one week later.

http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/WJLeary/CoastalB5.jpg
And finally, here it is about one month later. Major bruising is still clearly visible, but the swelling is completely gone. In the original (unposted) photo, the bite can still be seen. For some reason when the pics get posted online they lose resolution.

All of our adult Carpets are quite docile, and being bitten is not a common occurance. I really do hope this will cause everyone to understand the importance of careful handling.

[WJLeary]

And here is the culprit:

http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/WJLeary/CoastalM7.jpg

[jjnnbns]

Thanks guys, I am currently planning on handling without a hook, but as I have read, I should start handling with about 5 mins a day and slowly increase. What do I do if my snake seldom leaves its hide? I own a corn and I pretty much NEVER see it come out of its hide, so I have gone into the hide from behind to take it out for cleaning. I don't know if Carpets stay hidden as much though.

[Derrick]

I remove the hides slowly and kinda use them as a shield. Mine are actually rarely in thier hidesbut burrien in the newspaper. Use bottomless hides. I always make sure they can see my hand comming(slowly). They usually pick thier head up and I ease my hand under them and lift then slowlly easy my othe hand ffurther down. They like to wrap thier tail around stuff so be careful no to yank them I imagine you could put a kink it pretty easly. Its as bad as its sound but its a big difference from corns just have to take your time. So far I'm really enjoy my experience with these wonderful creatures.

[Derrick]

Cool pictures Will. Look like it hurt...but not too bad. kinda looks like a tatoo session

[Dom]

Will

Those are great pics man .. I got tagged by a 7 1/2 foot coastal and it was about the same bite. I also got tagged by a DEAD 14 foot Scrub python .. lol

(I love skinning animals and disecting and checking the bones out .. so while skinnig the head .. well .. yeah I got bitten lol)

Too many this is probably sick but I got a nice 15 foot skin here.. Once the animal passes away .. we all have our way of dealing with the cadavres..

For some reason I get the feeling ppl are gonna give me **** for doing that..

[Derrick]

nah thats cool Dom. Really why shoud it go to waste? Its not like they are dogs and cats. Even then the japaneese use to skin thier Akitas. The bone would make an excellent display as well.