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/Mainbutter 9d ago

I've kept multiples of both.

Carpet python wins by miles.

The tldr is that carpet pythons have moderate activity, generally eat well, and get longer, while ball pythons are very low activity, can be tricky eaters, and stay shorter.

If you have space for a longer (and ideally taller) enclosure, go for a carpet python.

That said, don't buy the first jungle you see at a local store. I recommend coastal (same species, different subspecies) and bredlis (same genus, different species) very highly personally!

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u/ItsMeishi 9d ago

For what reason do you recommend the coastal and bredli's specifically? Is it temperament?

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u/Mainbutter 9d ago edited 9d ago

1) temperament - anecdotally, coastals are the calmest subspecies (perhaps tied with inlands) and my experience with bredlis shows them just as calm if not moreso.

2) habitat - native range for coastal is a bit more southern and slightly more temperate, bredli is more inland and both drier and greater ranges of hottest and coldest wild temperatures. They just seem quite tolerant of wide temperature and humidity ranges, although jungles also are pretty hardy and tolerant despite their more limited tropical range

3) cool factor - honestly, bredlis and coastals just win here compared to jungles. Jungles get the first glance from people unfamiliar with carpet pythons, but come in last place IMO with Morelia enthusiasts.