Handling a jungle carpet python?

[Humanezombie12]

Im sorry for the post but ive looked around and cant really find a definitive answer. But I work at a petco and have been dealing with a jungle carpet python that we got about nine months ago. He used to be aggressive when we first got him in the store but I started trying to handle him and he always let me so I try to handle him at least 4x a week, but not after feeding of course for at least 2 days. Anyway now he is about 4 feet and I love him and I always want to take him out and let him hang out while i'm doing my thing. My problem is i'm the aquatic specialist and all I know about snakes/reptiles is what ive learned from friends, research, and customers. IVe read from various sources that snakes can be held for only twenty minutes once a day or untill they must on you. I normally hold him for about 30 minutes to an hour depending on his mood but sometimes I only put him away cause i feel like it may be bad. He usually loves everything about the world when i take him out for about 10-20 till he realizes he isnt leaving my shoulders and then just kinda hangs out round my head/neck area either kicking it or looking everywhere. In fact we have this thing that he does where he will be hanging out with me and he will start moving up my face using my nose and ears as points of weight for his slithering, but usually customers dont realize hes there till he starts climbimng up my face and I just act like I dont even realize it and they freak out hahaha. He also likes to rest on top of my head and ill be ringing people up or talking to consevative old lady about dog food and he decides to raise his head....I look like an awesome medusa. But because of that I have gotten more people who are deathly afraid of snakes to touch and pet him because he loves being out and loves people and if he ever gets scared he beelines it to back to me and calms down. so yeah lol sorry. Can I hold him for to long? He has never musked or whatever and seems to really love it. Thanks!

[ilovemysnake]

Originally Posted by Humanezombie12

Im sorry for the post but ive looked around and cant really find a definitive answer. But I work at a petco and have been dealing with a jungle carpet python that we got about nine months ago. He used to be aggressive when we first got him in the store but I started trying to handle him and he always let me so I try to handle him at least 4x a week, but not after feeding of course for at least 2 days. Anyway now he is about 4 feet and I love him and I always want to take him out and let him hang out while i'm doing my thing. My problem is i'm the aquatic specialist and all I know about snakes/reptiles is what ive learned from friends, research, and customers. IVe read from various sources that snakes can be held for only twenty minutes once a day or untill they must on you. I normally hold him for about 30 minutes to an hour depending on his mood but sometimes I only put him away cause i feel like it may be bad. He usually loves everything about the world when i take him out for about 10-20 till he realizes he isnt leaving my shoulders and then just kinda hangs out round my head/neck area either kicking it or looking everywhere. In fact we have this thing that he does where he will be hanging out with me and he will start moving up my face using my nose and ears as points of weight for his slithering, but usually customers dont realize hes there till he starts climbimng up my face and I just act like I dont even realize it and they freak out hahaha. He also likes to rest on top of my head and ill be ringing people up or talking to consevative old lady about dog food and he decides to raise his head....I look like an awesome medusa. But because of that I have gotten more people who are deathly afraid of snakes to touch and pet him because he loves being out and loves people and if he ever gets scared he beelines it to back to me and calms down. so yeah lol sorry. Can I hold him for to long? He has never musked or whatever and seems to really love it. Thanks!

im not sure, alot of people dont really even take their snakes out, haha. but i personally handle mine alot. i've handled turbo for over an hour a couple times. turbine seems to not mind but after a while she'll get to the point where it's time to put her away. i guess its just up to the snake. i look for ques, when they cant be still anymore, i put them away.

[MDT]

I've never known a JCP to musk (not saying it doesn't happen, just never seen it....I've had carpets for over 10 yrs)...having said that, I'm going to now say something that some will simply not agree with: Snakes to not "enjoy" handling. They may "tolerate" it, but any emotion of "enjoyment", etc is something we put on them as humans. You can certainly acclimate a snake to gentle handling, not to regard you as a predator or a threat. You are a large heat source for the snake....in the wild, large heat sources are usually a predator
Anyway, nice job on acclimating the JCP to safe handling. Good job on being able to dispel some fear of snakes with some folks....we need more of that.
Personally, I do not hold my snakes much. Typically when I'm cleaning enclosures, and then not for long. I'm sure there will be others who will respond about how "Pawn Stars" is their snake's favorite show, or they really like to help with the dishes or something....stand by

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by MDT

I've never known a JCP to musk (not saying it doesn't happen, just never seen it....I've had carpets for over 10 yrs)...having said that, I'm going to now say something that some will simply not agree with: Snakes to not "enjoy" handling. They may "tolerate" it, but any emotion of "enjoyment", etc is something we put on them as humans. You can certainly acclimate a snake to gentle handling, not to regard you as a predator or a threat. You are a large heat source for the snake....in the wild, large heat sources are usually a predator
Anyway, nice job on acclimating the JCP to safe handling. Good job on being able to dispel some fear of snakes with some folks....we need more of that.
Personally, I do not hold my snakes much. Typically when I'm cleaning enclosures, and then not for long. I'm sure there will be others who will respond about how "Pawn Stars" is their snake's favorite show, or they really like to help with the dishes or something....stand by

My snakes favourite show is Duck Dynasty. Pawn Stars is old news.

[Terranaut]

I will respond with this..... great job with the jcp. As babies they can be nippy and some never change. Some of my jcps will climb out onto me so they "enjoy" out of the viv time and recognize me or my smell as their way out. I am not saying they enjoy handling but some of mine will do it without the typical holding on to stuff inside their viv or any other drama you can think of.

[exwizard]

I don't have a Jungle but I do have a pair of Irian Jayas and both of them love being out. In fact, not only them, but most of my snakes love being out. At least they seem to do everything they can to get my attention to let them out. I think it's a great thing you are doing working with this Jungle. I especially love the way people who are otherwise scared of snakes at least checking it all out.

[Lankyrob]

Unless you are providing ideal husbandry in the store then the snake should be left in the viv except for short handling sessions. Personally, none of mine are out for more than fifteen minutes a month on average and not more than ten minutes at a time.

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

My snakes favourite show is Duck Dynasty. Pawn Stars is old news.

Mine like walking dead. I think they're just glad something's eating that bothersome warm moving tree.