I might be getting an Irian Jaya!

[Snake Dave]

Now what do I do, lol!

I was in the reptile store today to pick up some crickets, and I was having a look around. I thought that nothing had really changed but then I saw a pair (not co-habbed) of what I think were Irian Jaya Carpet pythons. They were gorgeous! They're hatchlings by the way, coming up on 2 months.

My Mum was with me, and we got the pair out and had one each, they were so sweet. Not remotely aggressive, but lovely and inquisitive, my Mum even thought they were cute. They're excellent feeders too, apparently.

I gave her 'the look', and she was a bit undecided and said 'we'll see'. So I said that I'd do my research and ask her another time.

Now I've got a spare 12" * 12" * 12" Exo-Terra, for how long would that be sufficient? I've had a look over a few care sheets and their housing requirements don't seem too extravagant. I think I'll go for aspen bedding, and I'll get some vines, hides and fake plants. I've got spare water dishes and heat mats too. Since they're semi-aboreal, would using a heat mat be a problem? But I guess they'd regulate their own temperature.

The one I liked the most was about 12" long, and pretty thin, which hatchling Carpets are. But apparently they can take fuzzies now, if so, would feeding once a week be sufficient or should I follow the Munson Plan as a guideline, since their body structure and eventual size (4 - 6 foot) isn't dissimilar from a Corns?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

All the best

David

 

[Snake Dave]

SUCCESS! My Mum has agreed and I'll be getting him/her next Monday/Tuesday. And yes, there will be pictures. I'm going to order my stuff now, and get the tank set up with all the right temperatures over the weekend. I'm so excited.

Right okay, I've done some research and have a rudimentary idea of what I need to do.

I'm gonna place an order on www.livefoods.co.uk for:

- HabiStat temperature thermostat (I've had bad experiences with the mat stat. AKA they're crap)
- Exo-Terra jungle vines (I'll just by one small one because I've got them in with my Corn and they're pretty big)
- A half coconut hide
- A small Exo-Terra cave
- Three different small Exo-Terra plants

And that's all I need really, I've already got the heat mat, water dish, tank and aspen bedding. From what I've read, here's what I need to do:

- 85 - 88 warm side, 75 - 78 cool side.
- 40 - 60% humidity (that's fine, since my house is normally around 45-50%)
- My Exo-Terra will last up to a year, then I'll upgrade to a final 36" * 24 * 36" tank
- I'll feed one fuzzy every week/5 days, I'm undecided, I'll have to see how he/she gets on.

That's the jist of it so far. I handled them both and they were both pretty calm, although one had nicer colours and the better temperament of the two. So I think I'll go with that one.

 

[Checkerbelly]

Sounds like you've got it down. Make sure the pet store will put it on hold for you.

 

[Snake Dave]

Sounds like you've got it down. Make sure the pet store will put it on hold for you.

Already done my friend

I was in there earlier and after my Mum had gone out to the car I asked him to hold one for me, he agreed since he had two. Now I've persuaded her and I've just placed my order for my stuff, so it's looking good.

 

[CALIVIK]

How exciting! Congrats! Please update w/ photos!

 

[Snake Dave]

How exciting! Congrats! Please update w/ photos!

Thanks Vikki! Oh and of course, he/she is a real cutie, my Mum was cooing, I was shocked lol

 

[Checkerbelly]

Oh as far as feeding -

A lot of people try to get them going on rats as soon as possible. They will get thicker than a corn snake and rats will be a good-sized meal when its an adult.

 

[Snake Dave]

Yeah I did read that, thanks Checker. I think I'll have to wait until the little guy/girl is big enough to take hoppers before I move on to rats; since Carpet pythons love fur, and the only size rat that equates to a mouse fuzzy is a rat pink.

 

[Dave123]

Cool Dave! Can't wait to see them.

 

[Snake Dave]

Cool Dave! Can't wait to see them.

Thanks Dave, and me neither :grin01:

 

[snakewispera snr]

Good choice Dave, Where are you getting it from?
IJ's don't really use a hide (only when in blue) most of the time is spent in the branches. So a good thick branch is a good idea. We use a red heat lamp because of that.
We do have a heat mat, but we only put it on when the hide gets used..
Heres ours......Harrison

Get a female and we can get them together in a few years time...LOL

 

[Snake Dave]

Ha ha, thanks Mike.

From what I've seen and from stuff I read, they seem to spend half of their time in the trees and half on the ground, so I thought I'd give him the option and get some hides. He/she is only a baby so I've got some Exo-Terra jungle vines and they're great, I use the small size vines with my Corn and he's at least three times the size of IJ, and they support him pretty well. And because the tank's only a 12" * 12" * 12", the vines will go all the way around a few times, like a little snake rollercoaster. :grin01:

When he gets older I'll upgrade him to his final tank, in which I'll use a red heat lamp, and I'll use a heat mat too just in case. Then of course he'll have some real, sturdy branches. Will it be okay using a heat mat? Because considering the size of the tank, I wouldn't be able to achieve any kind of real thermal gradient. The mat will obviously be thermostatically controlled. Room temperature in our house is usually around 22 degrees C, so that part is okay. When he's old enough to move I'm gonna go to town on his enclosure, I'll make it a real display piece

Oh and I'm getting it from Kevin, he has a pair, and I handled one and my Mum handled one. Which reminds me, I've gotta go and give him a call, to tell him that I'm definately getting it.

Harrison's awesome by the way, I've decided to name the new guy/girl Sydney, I think you know why :grin01:

All the best mate

David