Encyclopaedia
ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
Carpet Python
Morelia spilota
The carpet python (Morelia spilota) is a highly popular semi-arboreal snake native to Australia and New Guinea, celebrated for its diverse color patterns and adaptable nature.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Pythonidae
Genus:Morelia
Species:Morelia spilota
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 60 %
Day temperature
28 - 32 °C
Night temperature
22 - 25 °C
Adult size
168.38 cm
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Australia (excluding Tasmania), New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Inhabits tropical rainforests, semi-arid woodlands, and coastal scrublands, displaying strong semi-arboreal habits.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Pythonidae, genus *Morelia*. Includes several well-known subspecies in the reptile hobby (such as *M. s. variegata*, *M. s. cheynei*, and *M. s. mcdowelli*), exhibiting high genetic diversity.
Behavior and Habits: Crepuscular and nocturnal ambush predator. Spends daylight hours coiled on high branches or inside hollow logs. Juveniles can be defensive and nippy, but adults generally become docile with regular handling.
Morphology: Features a muscular body, distinct triangular head with heat-sensing labial pits. Length varies between 1.5 and 2.7 meters depending on the subspecies. Pattern resembles a carpet weave with black, yellow, brown, and gray tones.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a spacious enclosure developed in both height and length (at least 150x60x90 cm for an adult). Sturdy, secure climbing branches, elevated platforms, and multiple hiding spots at different levels are essential. Use coconut fiber or cypress mulch.
Lighting and Heating: Requires a distinct thermal gradient. Warm side hot spot: 31-33°C (90-95°F) using guarded ceramic heaters or spot lamps; cool side: 24-26°C (75-80°F). Nighttime drop to 20-22°C is beneficial. A 5% UVB source is recommended.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity of 50-60%, increasing to 70-80% during shedding cycles via misting. Provide a heavy water bowl large enough for the snake to submerge its entire body, placed on the cool side.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly carnivorous, feeding on rodents (mice or rats) of appropriate size. Feed juveniles every 7-10 days and adults every 14-21 days. Supplements are not typically required when feeding whole, healthy prey.
Compatibility: Solitary animals. Carpet pythons must be housed individually to prevent stress or rare instances of cannibalism. They should only be introduced to one another for breeding purposes.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to respiratory infections if kept too cold, and dysecdysis (poor shedding) if humidity is too low. Highly vulnerable to Inclusion Body Disease (IBD), a fatal viral pathogen.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Australia (excluding Tasmania), New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Inhabits tropical rainforests, semi-arid woodlands, and coastal scrublands, displaying strong semi-arboreal habits.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and MadagascarAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 168.38 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 168.38 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 168.38 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.
Related species
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