The Snake Guru
02-14-2008, 02:58 AM
Carpet Python, MORELIA SPILOTA SP.
Quick FAQs
SIZE: 4-9 FEET, DEPENDING ON TYPE
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: BEGINNER
TEMPS/HUMIDITY: 86-88 HIGH, 75-78 AMBIENT / 40-60%
The Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota cheynei) is found in rainforest areas in the northeastern corner of Australia. The Coastal/Queensland Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) inhabit the entire eastern coast of Australia. The Iran Jaya Carpet/New Guinea Carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata) is found in woodland areas of New Guinea.
The carpets are a slender, semi-arboreal snake. Most hatchlings tend to be biters, but most will outgrow this behavior. Restrictions in Australia prevent exportation, thus the Jungles and Coastals are only available as captive bred. Wild caught Iran Jaya are not recommended because they do not adjust well to captivity.
Iran Jayas can reach 4 to 6 feet, though larger are known. Jungles also reach 4-6 feet. Coastals reach 6 to 9 feet, but may grow to be as large as 12 feet. Carpets can live 25 years or more in captivity.
Carpets should be housed in an enclosure that offers one square foot of space per foot of snake, as a minimum. Bigger is always better. The should be housed individually. Your cage can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Your enclosure can be a custom built cage or any of the widely available commercial cages (Visions, Cheapcages.com, Boaphile, etc). Your enclosure must allow for proper thermal gradient. You should provide perches (bamboo, PVC pipe, wooden dowels, hangers) at different levels in the enclosure so they can properly thermo regulate. You can also choose to use plants (live or real) for a more natural appeal, and this may also make your snake feel more secure. Hide boxes are also recommended. 36" x 18" x 24" is a sufficient size for an adult carpet.
Proper heat can be optained by an under tank heater, heat cable, heat tape, or overhead bulb. Make sure your snake cannot come into direct contact with the heat source, as they may get burns. Also, NEVER NEVER NEVER use a heat rock! EVER! Your reptile can get very serious burns from this, not to mention it is not an effective means to heat your enclosure, as it only heats around the rock, one-two inches. The only safe heat rock is one with the cord cut off!
Substrate is variable. What works well for one person, may not for another. Some options are newspaper, craft paper, paper towels, aspen chips or shavings, or cypress mulch. You should NEVER keep your reptile on pine or cedar chips/shavings.
You should feed your snake an appropriately sized rodent weekly. We recommend switching them to rats as soon as they are big enough, moving up in size as your snake grows. Generally speaking, we do not advise that you feed your snake live. Never leave a live rodent with a snake unattended. Hatchlings can easily consume a hopper mouse. Many will refuse a prey item that does not have hair. You should switch them to rats as soon as they are big enough for a fuzzy rat. You don't want to have a full grown carpet that will only consume mice!
Carpets reach maturity at 18 months to 4 years of age. The captive breeding season ranges from November through March. Feeding should be stopped at this time and a cooling period should be started. Your animals should be in top condition before any breeding is attempted. Breeding can be "suggested" by reducing the photo period to 8-10 hours of daytime and cooling the overnight temperatures. You should introduce the female into the male's cage. The average clutch size ranges from 10 to 40 eggs. With an incubation temperature of 88-90 degrees, the eggs should hatch in about 60 days.
*This is by no means a complete caresheet, just an informational article. Please do your research before purchasing your animal!
Quick FAQs
SIZE: 4-9 FEET, DEPENDING ON TYPE
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: BEGINNER
TEMPS/HUMIDITY: 86-88 HIGH, 75-78 AMBIENT / 40-60%
The Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota cheynei) is found in rainforest areas in the northeastern corner of Australia. The Coastal/Queensland Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) inhabit the entire eastern coast of Australia. The Iran Jaya Carpet/New Guinea Carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata) is found in woodland areas of New Guinea.
The carpets are a slender, semi-arboreal snake. Most hatchlings tend to be biters, but most will outgrow this behavior. Restrictions in Australia prevent exportation, thus the Jungles and Coastals are only available as captive bred. Wild caught Iran Jaya are not recommended because they do not adjust well to captivity.
Iran Jayas can reach 4 to 6 feet, though larger are known. Jungles also reach 4-6 feet. Coastals reach 6 to 9 feet, but may grow to be as large as 12 feet. Carpets can live 25 years or more in captivity.
Carpets should be housed in an enclosure that offers one square foot of space per foot of snake, as a minimum. Bigger is always better. The should be housed individually. Your cage can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Your enclosure can be a custom built cage or any of the widely available commercial cages (Visions, Cheapcages.com, Boaphile, etc). Your enclosure must allow for proper thermal gradient. You should provide perches (bamboo, PVC pipe, wooden dowels, hangers) at different levels in the enclosure so they can properly thermo regulate. You can also choose to use plants (live or real) for a more natural appeal, and this may also make your snake feel more secure. Hide boxes are also recommended. 36" x 18" x 24" is a sufficient size for an adult carpet.
Proper heat can be optained by an under tank heater, heat cable, heat tape, or overhead bulb. Make sure your snake cannot come into direct contact with the heat source, as they may get burns. Also, NEVER NEVER NEVER use a heat rock! EVER! Your reptile can get very serious burns from this, not to mention it is not an effective means to heat your enclosure, as it only heats around the rock, one-two inches. The only safe heat rock is one with the cord cut off!
Substrate is variable. What works well for one person, may not for another. Some options are newspaper, craft paper, paper towels, aspen chips or shavings, or cypress mulch. You should NEVER keep your reptile on pine or cedar chips/shavings.
You should feed your snake an appropriately sized rodent weekly. We recommend switching them to rats as soon as they are big enough, moving up in size as your snake grows. Generally speaking, we do not advise that you feed your snake live. Never leave a live rodent with a snake unattended. Hatchlings can easily consume a hopper mouse. Many will refuse a prey item that does not have hair. You should switch them to rats as soon as they are big enough for a fuzzy rat. You don't want to have a full grown carpet that will only consume mice!
Carpets reach maturity at 18 months to 4 years of age. The captive breeding season ranges from November through March. Feeding should be stopped at this time and a cooling period should be started. Your animals should be in top condition before any breeding is attempted. Breeding can be "suggested" by reducing the photo period to 8-10 hours of daytime and cooling the overnight temperatures. You should introduce the female into the male's cage. The average clutch size ranges from 10 to 40 eggs. With an incubation temperature of 88-90 degrees, the eggs should hatch in about 60 days.
*This is by no means a complete caresheet, just an informational article. Please do your research before purchasing your animal!