Beginner ?????'s

[freetv-5]

I am really thinking about buying a 2-3yr. male old Carpet Python, Coastal I believe. The people I deal with regularly for corns and feeders has a beauty!
It was a turn in they sold to a kid as a hatchling. I have handled him many times in the last 4-5 months and they plan on letting him go after 6 months , they want to make sure no feeding or other problems. I have handled as stated and never even come close to being bitten. Are these snakes biters? Will the move effect the disposition? I know green tree pythons are big time bitters, I have seen the damage one has done, hit a ligiment and lost some use of his hand.
I know, I know, each snake is different but are the Coastals bites as harmful?
Any advice would be great!!!!
Is this a safe choice for a first Python? I have large adult corns and can read them pretty well as far as when to handle and when to leave alone.
This snake is around 4-5' best guess, will or MUST I have a second person when safely handling this guy? If so I want to make sure I have someone to commite to helping.
Any other advice???
Bill

[DaemoNox]

Not as harmful but they still have long teeth. Carpets I've seen go either way, some are fine but others arnt; even the ones that are fine though care needs to be taken as they often are a little jumpy and quick to bite if they feel the need. Keep in mind it will get bigger, 7-8+ feet with ones over 10 being known. A large adult you may at least want somone around incase there are problems, but at 5 feet unless you get yourself into a really stupid situation its fine to handle on your own.

[totheend]

Babies are definitely nippy. Usually as adults they are much more calm. Their bites are not nice, but not all that bad either. If they are gonna bite it is usually a quick lunge and bite. But I find with all of my carpets that I can read them. You know when they are getting pi$$y, they start to hiss. When mine start hissing it is time for them to go back.
It sounds like the one you are interested in has a pretty good attitude. Carpets are one of my favourites.

[gonesnakee]

Babies can be typically nippy yes, but not all are. I actually had 2007 Diamonds, CCPs, IJs & Bredli all here last year & out of the 2 dozen of them not one tagged me. Only ones that attempted to were ones I intentionally agitated to show buddy they are not all nippy as babies. Slow deliberate movements & gentle handling go a long way Any snake can bite. More often than not snakes bluff. A super defensive snake once in hand more often than not just wants to get away & will not bite. Some only actually bite when restrained & cannot get away. best way to handle Carpets is to use a hook to get them out to ensure they know no food is coming & then "be the tree" make them think they are just climbing around, don't let them realize that they are indeed being handled. Give them the sense that they are in control, but you are actually in control. Mark