Reptile Information

Handling the Jungle Carpet Python

Neonate Jungles are known to be very nervous and nippy. With regular handling, they will calm down and become an easy-to-handle snake. During the "taming" period, wear cotton gloves that the snake cannot bite through, and rub them with your scent [rub w/ hands, old sock, etc.] so the snake gets to know your smell. Take out the snake ignoring all bites, hold for a few minutes [it will struggle] until it calms down a bit, then put it back in. As the snake gets less and less bitey, keep the snake out for longer periods of time. Every day, put your bare hand in the tank, flat on the bottom, placing it in the opposite end of where the snake is. Make sure the snake sees your hand [tongue will flick in the direction of your hand]. Allow the snake to crawl over to your hand, sniff you out, and crawl over you. When the snake moves away, slowly remove your hand. The snake will associate this experience and the scent of your hand with the scent of the hand that handles it. Eventually the snake will accept the handling. Progress to removing the snake with a gloved hand and actually handling the snake without a glove. At the end, expect to be able to remove the snake with a snake hook and handle it with your bare hands. Allow other people to handle the snake, gloved or not, so the snake remains calm with people other than the owner.

This care guide courtesy of Dragon Guard