Care sheet

Carpet Python

Morelia spilota

Also known as: Diamond Python

Pythonidae · Squamata

IntermediateCITES IIIUCN LC

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 60–100 in
Lifespan (captivity): 20–30 yrs
Native range: Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent Indonesian islands

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Care guide

Overview

Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) — a semi-arboreal python that needs both floor space and height with sturdy branches. Adult size varies a lot by subspecies (jungle carpets stay smaller, coastal forms grow largest), so research your specific line. Juveniles can be flighty and nippy but most calm with routine, gentle handling.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

75–80 °F

Warm side

80–85 °F

Basking spot

95–100 °F

Nighttime

72–78 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–60%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Semi-arboreal

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
Adult6.5x3x3 ft for an average adult; taller strongly preferred (semi-arboreal)

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

topsoilcoco fibercypress mulchleaf litter

Avoid

cedarpinedusty softwood bedding

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Strict carnivore

Prey size by life stage

AdultRats/mice ~10% of body weight; no wider than 1.5x the snake at its widest

Feeding frequency by life stage

HatchlingEvery 7-14 days
JuvenileEvery 7-14 days
AdultEvery 2-4 weeks

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Large water bowl; fresh water available at all times.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Wild populations

Least Concern; CITES Appendix II. Adult size is strongly subspecies/locality dependent.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) Care Sheet
ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)
breeder community
Temps, humidity, enclosure formula, UVB, feeding frequency, substrate, prey sizing.
Published: 2022-01-01
Carpet Python Care Guide (Morelia spilota)
CarpetPythons.com
breeder community
Ambient temperature and subspecies-size corroboration.
Published: 2021-01-01
Morelia spilota — conservation status (LC) and CITES II
IUCN / CITES
government
Least Concern; regulated under CITES Appendix II (verify primary IUCN page before republishing).
Published: 2018-01-01