r/carpetpythons • u/Nirvanafan94 • 9d ago

Carpet Python vs Ball Python

My family is looking into getting our first snake. We had pretty much settled on the ball python, i have been doing research on enclosure setup, care, etc for the better part of a year (i always do a ton of research before making a commitment like a pet). However, today we went to a reptile store in a nearby city to see what all they had and they showed us a jungle carpet python. My wife, daughter, and I all fell in love with it. I was wondering if anyone who has had both can give me your opinions on each? We like how easy ball pythons are, but like how much more active and curious the carpet python is. Can you guys give me any reasons to NOT get a carpet python as our fist snake?

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u/PsychoSnake1012 9d ago

While carpets do get larger, they also display much better, I can walk into my reptile room at any time of day and easily see my carpets, my ball python’s are only out at night and are still hidden unless you really look. Carpets are more interactive to hold and handle when out, where as balls are “pet rocks” and most are content sitting completely still for hours while watching tv. Carpets have a “reputation” of being bitey, especially as babies, but once worked with settle down to amazing pets. Still need to watch out for their food drive, but tap/hook training and target training goes a long way for these guys

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u/PsychoSnake1012 9d ago

Males also tend to stay smaller among all species, but if you want smaller look into Papuan/irian Jaya. It’s a subspecies of carpets like jungles, but they were seperated from mainland Australia and as such stay smaller. Males usually 4-5 and female are 5-6 on average, a good breeder will be able to tell you where you carpet should land in this range as well.