Carpet python – coastal (Morelia spilota mcdowelli)

Short answers

Carpet python – coastal: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 175×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, over 2 m); (1 adult animal), bigger is better; height matters.

Carpet python – coastal: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–30 °C (summer; cool area 24–26 °C), basking spot 34–36 °C, at night 22–24 °C (summer).

Carpet python – coastal: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB recommended.

Carpet python – coastal: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Carpet python – coastal: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–30 °C (summer; cool area 24–26 °C)

Night temperature

22–24 °C (summer)

Basking spot

34–36 °C

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

UVB not essential, low UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 175×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, over 2 m); (1 adult animal), bigger is better; height matters

Substrate

Bark mulch, coco fibre, beech chips

Feeding

Food

Mice, rats; adults also take larger rodents or rabbits

Feeding interval

adults every 10–21 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

2.2–3 m, exceptions up to ~3.5 m – the largest carpet python form

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Coastal Queensland / north-eastern NSW (Australia), subtropical

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation 338/97 Annex B → specially protected under German law; proof of origin plus registration required

Brumation

An optional moderate winter cooling (day ~23–25 °C, night 18–20 °C, basking spot ~33 °C) to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – territorial and solitary; put them together only under supervision for breeding, then separate them; never keep males together

Notes

The largest and most powerful carpet python – mind the space requirement and the strength. Strongly climbing (offer branches). The young are often bitey and defensive, adults usually calm and confiding.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Carpet python – coastal (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Centralian carpet python (Morelia bredli) – Intermediate
• Darwin carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata) – Beginner
• Green tree python – Aru (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate
• Green tree python – Biak (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate
• Green tree python – Jayapura (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate
• Green tree python – Lereh (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate
• Green tree python – Merauke (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate
• Green tree python – Sorong (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Carpet python – coastal (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 175×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, over 2 m); (1 adult animal), bigger is better; height matters), substrate (Bark mulch, coco fibre, beech chips), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.