Pet Carpet Python Care Sheet

CARPET PYTHON CARE SHEET (Morelia spilota)

 

Carpet pythons are a popular reptile companion in Australia. They are non-venomous and typically docile and known for their bright, vivid patterns and colours.

 

While carpet pythons have specific care and maintenance requirements, with the right care, they are a hardy snake that is relatively easy to care for.

 

Some carpet python subspecies include:

 

Subspecies

Scientific Name

Natural Range

Jungle carpet python

M. s. Cheynei

NE QLD

Southern carpet python

M. s. Imbricata

SW Australia

Coastal carpet python

M. s. McDowelli

Eastern NNSW & SEQ

Inland carpet python

M. s. Metcalfei

Murray Darling Basin

Diamond python

M. s. Spilota

Eastern NSW

Darwin carpet python

M. s. Variegata

NNT

Centralian carper python

M. s. Bredli

SNT

 

 

 

 

 

 

HABITAT

What is the best carpet python habitat?

 

If your python is an adult, 120 x 60 x 60cm is considered the minimum carpet python enclosure size to keep your new friend comfortable.

 

If your carpet python is only a new hatchling, he will be quite small (up to 36cm long) and can be kept in a smaller habitat until he has grown enough to readily accept food. A snake tank height of 40cm is considered the minimum to allow for climbing.

 

The snake habitat will need to contain everything your carpet python needs to be comfortable - something to climb on, a hiding spot, a water bowl, a heat source and a suitable substrate.

 

Your carpet python will need a place to climb to get up high and perch on. You can also provide a log for him to bask on. This can be done with some clever arranging of your tank decorations if you have limited space.

 

You will also need to provide a hiding place for your carpet python. While this is especially important for young pythons, even adult pythons will appreciate and use a hiding spot when they want to feel safe and secure. During low temperatures, your python may also use her hiding spot as a place to feel warmer.

 

The water bowl you provide for your python will need to be chosen carefully, so that it can’t be accidentally tipped over. A heavy bowl is ideal for this should be kept in the opposite end of the habitat to your heat source.

 

The habitat’s heat source should be kept at one end, allowing your python to keep control of his body temperature as necessary by moving closer or further away. Be sure to keep a thermometer handy to monitor the habitat temperature.

 

TEMPERATURE

What is best temperature for a carpet python?

 

Your python’s habitat should have both a warm and a cool side, with a basking spot about 32°C. The cool spot of the habitat should be kept between 24°C during the day and generally, the temperature should never drop below 20°C, even at night.

 

You will need to check the habitat temperature every day and use heat sources and UV lighting to keep your temperature above 22°C at all times.

LIGHTING AND DAY & NIGHT

What light does a carpet python need?

 

You will need to provide a day and night cycle for your carpet python. Your UV lights and heat lamps can provide this by running 10-12 hours per day. He may also benefit from short periods of exposure to natural light, outdoors.

 

For adequate artificial lighting, a UVB globe with a minimum rating of 5.0 should be used. Your bulbs should be changed every 6 months, as they lose their strength over time.

 

FOOD

What do carpet pythons eat in captivity?

 

Carpet pythons are predators, feasting on a varied diet of many different animals in the wild. Typically, a baby carpet python should be fed once a week, while a fully grown carpet python can be fed once every two to three weeks.

 

A grown carpet python diet will ideally consist of mice, rats, quails or rabbits. These should be bought frozen but must be completely thawed and warmed prior to feeding. Frozen feeders are much safer for your reptiles than live, as any possibility of rodent bites are eliminated.

 

To keep track of your python’s feeding schedule, make a record of when he eats and what he eats. A grown python should be fed jumbo rats (or similar) once every two to three weeks. Refer to Our Blog “What’s the right size Reptile Feeder for my Snake?” for more information.

 

Young pythons fed exclusively with mice may become fussy and refuse to eat alternatives. While this is not a problem when they are young, an adult python will need to eat 10 (or more!) mice to sustain him. You can thaw a smaller rat in a bag with a mouse and a small amount of water, “mouse-scenting” the rat for your python to adjust his diet. Refer to Our Blog 5 Simple Tips for Safely Thawing Frozen Feeders and 7 Deadly Mistakes when Thawing Frozen Snake Food.

 

 

HABITAT DECORATIONS & ACCESSORIES

What do I need in a carpet python enclosure setup?

 

In addition to a water dish, hiding spot and climbing perch, your carpet python tank will also need substrate.

 

While your chosen substrate can be as simple as newspaper or paper towels, you must take care to remove any damp substrate as soon as possible to avoid potential skin infections. A wood or pulp substrate is more absorbent and will also lend your habitat an earthy, natural look.

 

You should check your substrate and habitat daily, removing any waste, skin or uneaten food. A full substrate change should also be carried out every 6 weeks.

 

 

LIFE SPAN

How long do pet carpet pythons live for?

 

When well cared for, carpet pythons can live to 25 years of age or older!

 

 

PetWave Background

Where can I buy snake food online in Australia?


PetWave is an Australian online pet supply company that is expert in shipping delicate, live and frozen products to you and your pet’s door.

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We are very proud to offer the highest quality and largest selection of live fish, aquarium plants and driftwood creations, a wide range of live food such as insects, frozen pet food especially for snakes, lizards, amphibians and birds of prey and many rare, creative and beautiful decorations for your aquarium and terrarium.

 

Carpet python food can be purchased at https://www.petwave.com.au/reptile/frozen-feeders/