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Pythonidae

Carpet Python

Morelia spilota
งูหลามพรม
IntermediateNocturnal · sleeping nowCITES IIHuman-verified sheet
14:00
Day

Drag the sun. Carpet Python is nocturnal, so what it is doing changes with the light. The sheet states a night temperature, and the rail follows it.

Thermal gradient

24°Cool side
≥22°Night floor
31–34°Warm side

Day: a real gradient, 31–34°C warm against 24°C cool, so the animal chooses. Night: never under 22°C.

Humidity

40–60%Target RH

UVB

Optionalbeneficial
Check your setup against this sheet
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The numbers

Enclosure
120 × 70 × 80 cm
Diet
Rodents (mice → rats) · Every 2–4 weeks (active — don't overfeed)
Temperature
warm 31–34 °C (88–93 °F) / cool 24 °C (gradient to ~32) / night ≥ 22 °C
Humidity
40–60% + humid hide
UVB
Low-level beneficial

Identity

Family / Order
Pythonidae / Squamata
Adult size
180–270 cm (subspecies vary)
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20+ yrs (up to 30)
Activity
Nocturnal; semi-arboreal
Temperament
Active, alert; juveniles nippy, adults usually calm
Price (THB)
~3,000–12,000

Morphs

8 morphs, with how each one is inherited. 2 of them carry a documented welfare cost, and those are listed first. A morph list that hides this sells a pattern and says nothing about what it costs the animal.

JaguarCo-dominantNeuro wobble in ALL carriers; lethal super; banned at some EU expos — discloseSuper form: Super Jaguar = LETHALWelfare risk
Super Jaguar (Leucistic)Co-dominantLethal — dies within daysSuper form: (super)Welfare risk
AlbinoRecessiveSuper form: —
CaramelCo-dominantSuper form: Super Caramel
GraniteCo-dominantSuper form: —
Jungle / Coastal / DiamondLine-bredSubspecies/localitiesSuper form: —
Tiger (line)Line-bredLine-bredSuper form: —
ZebraDominantPatternSuper form: —

Enclosure and conditions

Warm side / hotspot
31–34 °C (88–93 °F)
Cool side
24 °C (gradient to ~32)
Night
≥ 22 °C
Humidity
40–60% + humid hide
UVB
Low-level beneficial
Min. size
120 × 70 × 80 cm with climbing branches
Substrate
Aspen / coco
Water
Bowl

Diet

Staple
Rodents (mice → rats)
Prey size
≤ 1.5× widest part (~10% body weight)
Method
Frozen-thawed
Juveniles
Every 1–2 weeks
Adults
Every 2–4 weeks (active — don't overfeed)

Behaviour and handling

Handling
Juveniles nippy; tame with routine
Climbing
Semi-arboreal — provide branches
Cohabitation
Solo
Defense
Strike if startled
Children
Older / supervised

Reproduction

Sexual maturity
♀ ~3 yrs
Clutch
10–25 eggs
Incubation
~50–60 days at 31–32 °C (maternal)

Common health problems

Respiratory infection
Signsopen-mouth breathing, mucus
Preventcorrect temps + ventilation
Scale rot
Signswet dirty substrate
Preventkeep clean & dry
Retained shed
Signslow humidity
Preventhumid hide during shed
Regurgitation
Signshandling too soon / big prey
Preventwait 48 h; size prey

When to see a vet

This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.

Good to know

  • Comes in stunning subspecies — jungle (black & gold), diamond (spangled).
  • Excellent climbers — give them height and branches.
  • One of Australia's most popular kept pythons.

Common questions

Good beginner python?

Yes — hardy; just nippy when young.

How big?

Subspecies vary, ~1.8–2.7 m.

Do they climb?

Yes — provide sturdy branches.

What it needs

  • Enclosure 120×70×80 + branches
  • Thermostat + heat
  • 2 hides + humid hide
  • Aspen/coco substrate
  • Water bowl
  • Low UVB
  • F/T rodents + tongs

Others in this group

Sources