← Back to Carpet Python
Reptile Vault
Care Sheet
Generated May 18, 2026
reptilevault.com

Carpet Python

Morelia spilota

Carpet pythons are a diverse group of Australian pythons that have become popular worldwide due to their manageable size, stunning patterns, and active personalities. Multiple subspecies exist with different appearances - the Jungle carpet python features bold yellow and black banding, Coastal carpets show more brown tones, and Irian Jaya carpets display rich golden colors. Adults typically reach 6-9 feet depending on subspecies. Carpet pythons are semi-arboreal and more active than ball pythons, spending significant time climbing. They have a reputation for being nippy, especially as juveniles, but with consistent handling most become tractable adults. Their beauty and moderate size make them popular intermediate-level snakes.

Carpet Python
Quick Facts
Care Level
intermediate
Adult Size
6-9 feet depending on subspecies
Lifespan
20-30 years
Diet Type
carnivore
Activity
crepuscular
Temperament
active
Group
snake
Origin
Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea
🌱

Beginner Suitability

First Reptile?no
Beginner Score6/10
⚠ Beginner Warnings
Nippy temperament especially as juveniles, semi-arboreal needing vertical space, more active/defensive than ball pythons, 6-9 feet adults
🤚

Temperament & Handling

Temperamentactive
Handling Tolerancemoderate
Handling Notes
Reputation for being nippy especially as juveniles. Consistent handling usually produces calmer adults. Some individuals remain defensive. More active during handling than ball pythons.
🌡️

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature
Basking90°F
Ambient82°F
Night75°F
Basking spot 88-92°F, ambient 80-85°F, cool side 75-78°F. Night 72-75°F.
Humidity
Target Range50% – 70%
Moderate humidity 50-70%. Higher for some subspecies (Jungle). Increase during shedding.
💡

Lighting & UVB

UVB RequiredYes — Required
Target UVI1.0-2.0
Lighting Notes
Ferguson Zone 2. UVB beneficial - semi-arboreal species that may bask.
🏠

Enclosure

Minimum Size4x2x3 ft (height important)
Recommended Size6x2x4 ft with climbing branches
Enclosure Typesemi arboreal
🪨

Substrate & Environment

Substrate TypeCypress mulch, coconut fiber, or newspaper. Moderate humidity retention.
Substrate Depth2-3 inches
Water Featureno
Water Notes
Water bowl large enough for soaking. Change frequently.
🦎

Activity & Behavior

Activity Patterncrepuscular
Social Behaviorsolitary
Cohabitation
Never cohabitate. House individually.
Carpet Python
Care Sheet — Diet & Nutrition
🍽️

Diet & Nutrition

Diet Typecarnivore
Feeding FrequencyEvery 10-14 days adults; every 7-10 days juveniles
Diet Notes
Appropriately sized rodents. Good feeders. Active feeding response - use feeding tongs.
💊 Supplementation Schedule

Not required when feeding whole prey.

✅ Recommended Foods
FoodCategoryCa:PUsage
Pinky Mousewhole_prey1.5staple
Fuzzy Mousewhole_prey1.5staple
Hopper Mousewhole_prey1.5staple
Weaned Ratwhole_prey1.5staple
🚫 Foods to Avoid
FoodToxicityCategory
Avocado☠️ fatalfruit
Fireflies☠️ fatalinsect
Foxglove☠️ fatalflower
Garlic☠️ fatalvegetable
Carpet Python
Care Sheet — Health & More
⚕️

Health & Critical Care

Respiratory infections, mites, scale rot, IBD, regurgitation
Health Notes
Generally hardy. Watch for respiratory infections from incorrect humidity. Active snakes may injure themselves on enclosure obstacles.
🥚

Breeding

Difficultymoderate
SeasonWinter/spring after cooling
Clutch Size10-30 eggs
Incubation50-60 days at 88-90°F
Sexual Dimorphism
moderate
Breeding Notes
Cooling period (75-78°F nights for 6-8 weeks) triggers breeding. Females may be protective of eggs.
✨

Available Morphs

Jungle, Coastal, Irian Jaya, Darwin, Bredli (subspecies), plus Jaguar, Zebra, Axanthic, Albino morphs

💰

Cost & Availability

Price Rangemoderate
Availabilitycommon
🌍

Native Habitat

Native RegionAustralia, Indonesia, New Guinea
Habitat Typerainforest
Climate Notes
Varied habitats from rainforest to woodland depending on subspecies. Most prefer moderate humidity.
📋

Legal & Conservation

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
CITES Listingappendix ii
Legal Restrictions
Australian specimens export restricted. Most in trade are Indonesian/captive-bred.
Generated by Reptile Vault — reptilevault.com/species/carpet-pythonThis care sheet is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice.

Looks good? Hit Cmd+P (Mac) or Ctrl+P (Windows) to save as PDF.

← Back to Carpet Python