By Stuart Dodsworth
Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)
Distribution
These snakes come from areas of Australia and New Guinea, where they are often found in a variety of habitats from eastern coastal forests to central desert areas. There are currently seven subspecies recognized and these are South Western Carpet Python (
Morelia spilota imbricata), Jungle Carpet Python (
Morelia spilota cheynei),? Carpet Python (
Morelia spilota macrospila), Coastal or McDowell’s Carpet Python (
Morelia spilota mcdowelli), Diamond Python (
Morelia spilota spilota), North-western Carpet Python {Aka Torresian Carpet Python or Darwin Carpet Python} (
Morelia spilota variegata) and the Inland Carpet Python {aka Riverine Carpet Python or Murray-Darling Carpet Python}
(
Morelia spilota metcalfei). In recent years Carpet Pythons have increased in popularity and availability, care should be taken when purchasing to ensure you know which subspecies/locality you are getting to ensure you are aware of its potential adult size.
Size
Adults can reach an overall size of 2 - 3.6 meters (6.5 - 12 feet) in length, however the average is around 2.4 meters (8 feet). Some of the subspecies are smaller than these sizes; eventually separate guides will be written for each.
Diet
Carpet Pythons usually feed well on appropriately sized defrosted rodents, these should be offered with tongs and with the larger specimens a separate feeding box is a good idea to reduce the risk of feeding induced strikes in the vivarium.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This should be thermostatically controlled and guarded reflector spot lights (green or red), ceramic heaters, tubular heaters or thermostatically controlled heat mats.
- UV Light Source:- Although controversial, I recommend the use of UVB lighting with most reptile species (except un-pigmented specimens such as amelanistic or other red eyed phases). The best kinds to use are reptisun 5.0; these should be positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking reptile and replaced every 6 – 7 months. Care should be taken to guard the UVB tubes from the larger specimens, as they have been known to break them (not behind glass or plastic though). Many keepers do keep these species successfully without the use of UVB lighting, so it is down to the individual keepers choice.
- Housing: - This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. Hatchlings would require a small hatchling tub (pen pal, geoflat or even a ventilated sandwich box), which can be housed in a heated vivarium. A pair of adult snakes can be housed quite happily within a vivarium measuring 240cm long by 120cm deep by 180cm high (8 feet by 4 feet by 6 feet). Carpet pythons are good climbers so logs should be securely fitted for them to climb.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, cave etc. all make excellent hides.
Water
These animals require a water container, which will allow them to bathe without constriction. This water should be changed daily as this is also the water they drink. Heavy earthenware dog bowls are excellent as they are harder for the snakes to tip over.
Temperature
A background temperature of 26°C is required. A basking area covering one third of the vivarium should be allowed to reach temperatures of 33 - 34°C (88 - 90°F). At night the temperature may be allowed to drop to 27°C (80°F), although this is not recommended if your snakes is suffering from any respiratory infections.
Longevity
These snakes have been known to reach ages of around 10 years, although they can live for longer in captivity.
Substrate
This can be anything from newspaper, brown paper or even astro turf. Whatever you use remember that it must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent contamination from disease. Dust Free Bark Mulch (not containing pine or cedar) are excellent as they aid in maintaining the humidity levels, care should be taken during feeding though to ensure none is ingested.
Photograph taken by Jules from Phoenyx Animal Refuge www.phoenyxanimalrefuge.org.uk
Distribution map is taken from http://lifemapper.org/robotfood/Reptile/Morelia%20spilota.HTM
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Morelia_SP_spilota']
http://www.wb.livin4.com/python/e107_plugins/custompages/Pythonidae.php
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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