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Spotted python
Antaresia maculosa
A small, exceedingly docile Australian python that remains highly popular in captivity due to its very manageable size, robust hardy nature, and beautiful, irregular dark spotted patterns.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Pythonidae
Genus:Antaresia
Species:Antaresia maculosa
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 60 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
22 - 26 °C
Basking spot
30 - 32 °C
Adult size
125.9 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 150 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Antaresia maculosa is native to northern and eastern Australia, distributed extensively throughout the state of Queensland and northern New South Wales, as well as on several offshore islands. It occupies a wide variety of habitats, including dry sclerophyll forests, open woodlands, rocky outcrops, granite hills, and caves. They adapt exceptionally well to agricultural and suburban areas, often hiding in barns, wall cavities, or woodpiles.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Pythonidae, and genus Antaresia. Prior to 1984, it was grouped under the genus Liasis as Liasis childreni. It is recognized as one of the smallest python species in the world. No subspecies are currently recognized, but various localized color morphs exist, and breeders have established several selective morphs in captivity (e.g. albino, granite, and reduced pattern).
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, this python is an opportunistic, terrestrial, and semi-arboreal hunter. During the day, it retreats into rock crevices, hollow logs, animal burrows, or under leaf litter. In areas with limestone caves, they are known to climb cave walls to catch small insectivorous bats as they fly out. It is renowned for its docile temperament, rarely biting once acclimated.
Morphology: Features a compact, muscular, yet relatively slender body with a head that is only slightly distinct from the neck, and large eyes with vertical pupils. Adults reach an average length of 80 to 100 cm, rarely exceeding 120 cm. The base coloration is pale brown to light sand beige, covered in irregular, dark brown spots that often merge to form wavy, longitudinal lines. The ventral side is cream-colored.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontally oriented terrarium of at least 80x40x40 cm for a single adult. The enclosure should include at least two snug hide boxes (one in the warm zone, one in the cool zone), robust branches for climbing, and secure rock decorations. Suitable substrates include shredded aspen, coconut husk, or paper towels for easy cleaning. Avoid resinous woods like pine or cedar.
Lighting and Heating: Heating must be provided using an under-tank heat mat or heat cable covering about one-third of the floor space, controlled by a high-quality thermostat. Maintain a warm side surface temperature of 30-32 °C, with a cool side ambient temperature of 24-26 °C. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 20-22 °C. Provide a simple 12-hour light cycle using low-intensity LED lights.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep humidity levels moderate, between 50% and 60% under normal conditions. During shedding (indicated by dull eyes and scales), increase humidity slightly or provide a humid hide box containing damp sphagnum moss to ensure a complete shed. A sturdy water bowl, large enough for the python to submerge its entire body, must be kept filled with clean water.
Feeding and Supplementation: A rodent specialist in captivity. Feed appropriate-sized frozen-thawed mice or small rats using long feeding tongs once every 7-10 days for juveniles, and every 14-20 days for mature adults. No additional vitamin or calcium supplementation is required if feeding whole, healthy rodents. Do not handle the snake for 48 hours after feeding to prevent regurgitation.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Spotted pythons should always be housed individually to prevent stress, feeding competition, or potential cannibalism, especially among juveniles. They should only be introduced to each other for controlled breeding purposes by experienced keepers. Keep away from other pets.
Health and Common Diseases: An exceptionally hardy and long-lived species, often exceeding 20 years in captivity. Common health issues are almost always related to husbandry errors. These include scale rot from wet substrate, respiratory infections from cold temperatures, constipation, and retained sheds (dysecdysis). Regularly monitor stool samples for endoparasites.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Antaresia maculosa is native to northern and eastern Australia, distributed extensively throughout the state of Queensland and northern New South Wales, as well as on several offshore islands. It occupies a wide variety of habitats, including dry sclerophyll forests, open woodlands, rocky outcrops, granite hills, and caves. They adapt exceptionally well to agricultural and suburban areas, often hiding in barns, wall cavities, or woodpiles.
Origin
Australia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 125.9 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 125.9 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 125.9 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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