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Q: what should i feed my yearling jungle carpet python?
Posted By:

jakethesnake

I purchased a Jungle Carpet Python 2 days ago at the Reading Reptile Expo, the breeder told me he is a yearling (hes around 2 feet maybe a little more) I avent gotten an accurate measure of him because hes still settling in to his new home (his body thickness is about the size of a quarter). I fed him a mouse pinky and he seemed to eat it really fast so first off I was wondering if he should be getting fed maybe hoppers or fuzzies? and second I heard that its hard to get them over to rats if they start out on mice...so my question is should I be feeding him rat pinkies or rat fuzzies? If someone could help clarify this and maybe give me a few other pointers that would be great! Thanks!


Points: 250
Topics: General Health , Feeding , Digestive
Tags: Carpetpythons, Feedingproblems, JungleCarpetPython
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Member Comment 8/26/2013 8:00:09 PM

Sylvias

A picture would help but I'd guess at least rat fuzzies... at two feet maybe even a rat pup

 
Member Comment 8/26/2013 8:30:25 PM

Cenobite

You just pissed him off with the mouse pinky. If he's about the diameter of a quarter (I'm assuming at his thickest part) feed a rodent a tad thicker than that.

 
Member Comment 8/26/2013 9:26:00 PM

Fishbone

I agree with George.  You'll get a variety of opinions as to whether to feed rats or mice, but feed something that is just a tounch bigger around than he is at his thickest point.  Most carpets can handle hoppers easily right out of the egg.  If he is as thick as a quarter I'd go with small adult mice. 

 
Member Comment 8/26/2013 9:50:14 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

For what it's worth, I just offered a 2 year old IJ Jag her first rat yesterday and she didn't have an issue with the change. 

I would say a rat fuzzie or weanling mouse, but if you can get a weight, I'd have a bit better idea on its size.

 
Member Comment 8/26/2013 10:36:48 PM

tmth

I would go with an adult mouse or a fuzzy or hopper rat.  Newborn carpets can eat things larger than pinky mice. Carpets can eat meals larger than their largest girth. Did you get a business card or any contact info from the breeder? You could see what they were feeding. 

 
Member Comment 8/26/2013 11:11:13 PM

Big Sarge

I agree with adult mice or hopper rats, if he will take rats, unlike my IJ. Mine takes two adult mice and he is about a year old.

 
Accepted Answer 8/27/2013 12:11:04 AM

SD_Chris_81
There's an ongoing debate on the nutritional benefits of rats vs mice, but think of it this way...if you get them on rats ASAP, you don't have to worry about it, and you don't want to be feeding an adult carpet half a dozen mice at a time. It's a waste of time and money. If your carpet is the thickness of a quarter, feed it a rat slightly bigger around than the carpet's thickest point. Get some pictures added with a size reference like a soda can or dollar bill in the photo, and we can offer more detailed advice.
 
Member Comment 8/27/2013 12:36:47 AM

gfx

Jungles can get stuck on mice, try and get it over to rats as soon as possible. Carpets can take an insanely big prey item, my yearlings are all on rat pups and a few are going to be seeing weanlings shortly. Start with a fuzzy rat and see what kind of lump it leaves.

 
Member Comment 8/27/2013 12:20:17 PM

FVagster

I would maintain one size meal.  After a few feedings do a double up.  The it feeds on the double up bump the size of you feeders.  This technique worked for me.  It is a good way to measure if your snake is eating appropriate to its size.

 
Member Comment 8/27/2013 12:42:19 PM

KeepYourSky

As someone who has an adopted 6 year old IJ who refuses to take rats, get yours on rats ASAP. 4-6 mice per week is expensive. She goes through more in one feeding than my king does in a month, and she gets hissy when she's still hungry. That being said, it's certainly doable, and I'm finding that chicken broth soaked rat does peak her attention even if she won't take it.

Keep in mind that your carpet can take huge meals for it's size. Give a fuzzy rat a go, see how it looks 

 
Author Comment 8/27/2013 6:07:30 PM

jakethesnake

Thank you so much everybody, very big help...I' m going to try to get some pictures up. I made the very big mistake of not getting any contact information from the breeder so I couldnt see what he was being fed but I will try a rat pup or hopper and see how it goes, I did think he ate the mouse pinky very quickly and wondered if he should be getting fed bigger meals. Thanks for all the help! 

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