Carpet Python Care Sheet

Irian Jayan Carpet Python: Morelia spilota variegata

Jungle Carpet Python: Morelia spilota cheynei

Queensland(Coastal) Carpet Python: Morelia spilota mcdowelli

Diamond Pythons: Morelia spilota spilota

Life Span: Carpet pythons may live 25 years or more in captivity.

Size: Hatchlings approximately 12in+/-.

Range: varied habitats from scrub to rainforest native to Australia and North into New Guinea

Temperament: Babies can be a little snappy, but settle down quickly as they grow. Adults are usually calm and are a pleasure to handle (there are exceptions).

Housing: Carpet pythons are semi-arboreal it so it is best to house them in a taller vivarium with few strong branches, strong enough to support the weight of the snake. Daily misting should maintain the humidity level between 60% to 70%. They will appreciate a hide box. For a substrate you can use ground cover such as commercially prepared shredded cypress, aspen, fir bark, Canadian sphagnum peat moss, newspaper or indoor outdoor carpet; do not use orchid bark. Pine, cedar and redwood shavings should not be used due to the oils that may cause respiratory infections and other problems. The substrate must be monitored closely and all soiled and wet spots pulled out to prevent bacteria and fungus growths. For babies, paper towel, newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpet can be used. Hollow log or a wooden box can be used for the hide spot. No special light is necessary. However they will enjoy basking under a heat lamp. Caution must be taken not to allow snake to come in contact with the lamp as it may strike at anything hot and suffer burns.

Temperatures: The temperatures should be between 75 and 85 F during the day with a basking spot temperature of 90 to 95 F and drop the temperature by 5 to 10 degrees for nighttime.

Water: Provide a bowl of fresh water at all times for both drinking and soaking (for smaller snakes). The water will need to be changed frequently. The snake will refuse to drink stale water.

Feeding: Carpet pythons feed on appropriately sized mice or rats. The size of the prey should be as wide as the widest part of snakes body. Feeding large prey is not healthy and if too large it may cause the snake regurgitate or stop feeding. They will take pre-killed and thawed rodents very easily. Feeding live prey is risky and often a cause of injuries to the head or eyes. Young snakes should be fed weekly adults every ten to fourteen days. Overfeeding is a way to shorten the snakes life.

Breeding: Coastal Carpet Pythons reach sexual maturity at about 2-1/2 to 3 years and will lay large clutches of 20 to 30 eggs depending upon the size of the female. Mating occurs in spring following winter cooling and the eggs arrive in late October to early January. A breeding box should be included. This is like a hide box but also contains some slightly damp material such as peat moss for the female to make a nest. An incubator should be ready and working before any eggs arrive. The female will be very protective of the eggs and may accidentally destroy them in an attempt to defend the nest so extreme caution must be taken when the eggs are being removed for the incubation. If the eggs have already clumped and adhered together then no attempt should be made to separate them. The orientation of the egg should not be changed during incubation . This means not rolling the egg, a mark on top of the egg / clutch with a non toxic felt pen will ensure this does not change. Eggs also absorb water and if deep wrinkles start to appear then the medium is too dry and should be adjusted immediately. Average incubation time is 50-55 days. The incubation temperature should be 88F-90F degrees. Hatchlings are easily started on small mice and can grow rapidly. Babies are much more arboreal than adults and will use a perch often, if provided.