that sucks! but jcp's are just like that. my friend's jcp would never let its guard down. i think it bites him everytime he opens the cage. litteraly.
a question about Jungle Carpet Python
- Thread starter Kobi9019
- Start date
Looks like most of everyone is fairly accurate in their descriptions of pythons from the Morelia genera. Typically I've found most all young Morelia sp., to very nippy for the first year. A three foot JCP is still considered young, and would deffinately be a likely canidate for giving defensive bites. Even as adults, I do not feel these pythons are that trustworthy. You'll often hear them giving loud hisses of displeasure as you open their cages. I'd suggest using a snake hook or bent coat hanger to remove your python from it's cage, that'll eliminate the usual startled, defensive bite. When handling them, try not to wave your hand in front of their face, and keep your hands closer together when they start to crawl. I've seen it too many times, where they start to snap at anything that's warmblooded, and moves within striking distance from their face. You really shouldn't have a problem with biting if you make slower movements and help them feel secure and relaxed.
On the other hand, make sure they are well fed! Jungles have huge appetites! A deffensive bite is usually a very quick nip and release. If your pythons is holding on, it's more than likely hungry! I agree with the suggestion of feeding it more, and maybe outside of the cage untill the biting problem has subsided. If you snake is large enough to take rats, try it now. You'll want to get a Morelia sp. switched over to rats ASAP! They have a propensity for eating mice, rather than rats. Start them young, before you have a 6 footer on your hands that only eats mice!!
On the other hand, make sure they are well fed! Jungles have huge appetites! A deffensive bite is usually a very quick nip and release. If your pythons is holding on, it's more than likely hungry! I agree with the suggestion of feeding it more, and maybe outside of the cage untill the biting problem has subsided. If you snake is large enough to take rats, try it now. You'll want to get a Morelia sp. switched over to rats ASAP! They have a propensity for eating mice, rather than rats. Start them young, before you have a 6 footer on your hands that only eats mice!!
I know kingsnakes are alot different from JCP'S but they are constrictors nonetheless, and I thought you might like to know my opinion. My young king is an EXTREMELY eager feeder and often mistook me for food, even when changing water bowls etc. So, thinking that he must be hungry because even after eating a few fuzzies it would dive out of its hide for a chew on my finger, I fed more. I got to the amount that was ridiculous for the size/age, and realised he was one of the few that would carry on eating until I got into the unhealthy habit of power feeding. So I stopped feeding him for a little while and handled him more, and if you approach them with food in a totally different way to how you approach them for feeding, I believe they'll more often than not, be able to predict what your going in there for. As for the repetitive bites (I can't remember who mentioned that they thought it wasn't feeding responsive..but it was was mentioned) I have to say, my now feed my king with tongs, and, if he goes for the tongs instead of the fuzzie, he will repetitively strike at them or whatever moves next. IMO I believe this was a feeding response, especially if there was no hissing, or arching of the neck into an 'S' shape. I would say follow your instinct. If you think its a feeding thing, it most probably will be. Only you can know from handling, and feeding this snake, as you know it best. Hope it helped anyway 
Thanks for all of the help everyone. I havent started with the tongs yet becasue I'm looking at the custom built stackable cage system that is going to cost a fortune. I might even use the gloves when feeding just to make sure that there's no confusion, or is that overkill? He hasnt bitten me since, I've been feeding every 5 days now and just finished with my last mouse, and I plan on switching him to Rats soon. Now I just need to get that new cage for him.
Sounds like a good feeding plan you have there. But now you know he could be an over-enthuiastic feeder in the future because of what happened, IMO you shouldn't take any risks. I'd get the tongs. And feed him in a tub. Believe me, if this was the cause, it will more than likely come up again later on..
Yea I will probably get one of those big rubbermaid tubs from walmart for the beast . Worst case is that he's aggressive, and he's a display animal, but I don't see that happening. I will just take more time to hold him and get him more used to me. thanks for the help
-matt
. Worst case is that he's aggressive, and he's a display animal, but I don't see that happening. I will just take more time to hold him and get him more used to me. thanks for the help -matt
