Got my first snake this weekend!!!!

[Travis590]

So I finally got a snake, got an awesome jungle carpet python. He is super clean-bright yellow on jet black and is really laid back. I am simply fascinated by him and his movements. My only question is how important is it to get him switched onto rats, he was the runt of his litter they said and took awhile to get feeding and they have been feeding him mice. He has no problem eating now, got him home yesterday put a mouse in his temporary home tonight and in 2 hours he was on it and had it down. If it is really important I can get ahold of rats pretty easy I just wanted to hear other peoples opinions. Thanks for any information in advance.

[firecrested]

it's tough to get some carpets switched over to rats once they are on mice.  Since she's eating mice now, i would just stay with that.

[Travis590]

I have been trying to find out average length on an adult jungle carpet and am finding lots of mixed numbers. I heard 4 to 6 foot but some say 7, what would you think the average max length is.

[firecrested]

I have never seen a 4 foot jungle.  6 to 7 is about right.

[bad-one]

How big is the new guy?

 If its big enough feeding multiple mice works to put on the weight... of course its more expensive and would end up being inconvenient when the snakes 6- 7 feet long. 

[Travis590]

I would say he is probably 2 foot long, he was born last year. He snatched the mouse up fast, its crazy too because I thought the mice might have been to big but no problem for him.

[bad-one]

Hmmm, if it was a ball python he'd be eating 2 mice or a small rat. How thick is he? If you can give a picture with him next to a ruler, would work.

[Travis590]

I would say he is like 1/2 an inch to 3/4 an inch thick just estimating, I talked to my friend who bought a female jungle carpet from the same guy and he said to try a weened rat this next week some I am going too try that. As it says this is my first snake, to be honest I have always been kinda nervous around them at first but so far this guy has been great. How often would you recommend holding him? I am trying to hold him 15 to 30 minutes at night depending on how busy I am or when I fed him- its so cool to see him suspend his body in the air.

[firecrested]

Carpets can eat huge meals compared to other snakes.  I wouldnt worry about feeding too big, it's hard to do .

This is a Jag I had last year and you can see the size of the rat he ate.  Kindof bad pics but I had him before I learned all my camera settings.

[Travis590]

Geez that is crazy next week I am definately going to try a weaned rat for him.

[bad-one]

Holding wise, after the snake is settled in, every day to every other day is fine (wait 2 days after feeding). I've never had trouble with my boys about being stressed out.

For his size you can go with the weaned rat to at least get him started though.

Hope that helps!

[Travis590]

It does, I have tried to hold him at least every other day. Today I got his new home set up, 29 gallon, and he was going all over the place checking it out. I am going to try the weaned rat this Tuesday. How warm do you guys keep the hot spot in the cage, and what do you try to keep the rest of it at? My hot spot is around 84 to 85 and I try to keep the rest in the upper 70s low 80s.

[Travis590]

So unfortunately had to go with another mouse today because the other store didnt have any rat pups, I got 2 mice and he ate the first that was a large one and he showed interest in the second but then left it alone so I pulled it. You guys think I should put it back in later tonight or him not going after the second would that show signs of him being full.

[bad-one]

I dont know temps for Carpets, but you can offer it tonight, although I think you might have better luck waiting until tmmw or the next day. Doesn't hurt to try though!

[firecrested]

So unfortunately had to go with another mouse today because the other store didnt have any rat pups, I got 2 mice and he ate the first that was a large one and he showed interest in the second but then left it alone so I pulled it. You guys think I should put it back in later tonight or him not going after the second would that show signs of him being full.

I wouldnt,  if he wanted it he would have eaten it when offered.

[Travis590]

I ended up pulling it after about an hour, watching the whole time to make sure the mouse didnt go after him and making sure he didnt make any moves towards it. The good news is I think I found out how much food he can handle right now. He is getting ready to shed I noticed and I cant wait to see his coloring after that!!!!

[bad-one]

Cool!

[Travis590]

Finally found a rat the right size for my snake and he took it down. It is crazy how big of prey they can eat, this rat was at the least double the biggest mouse I had fed him.