Carpet python – Irian Jaya (Morelia spilota)

Short answers

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

From 135×90×180 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, carpet and amethystine pythons up to 2 m, 1 adult animal); provide climbing branches.

Carpet python – Irian Jaya: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C (cool area 24–26 °C), basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Carpet python – Irian Jaya: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB recommended.

Carpet python – Irian Jaya: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Carpet python – Irian Jaya: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C (cool area 24–26 °C)

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB not essential, low UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 135×90×180 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, carpet and amethystine pythons up to 2 m, 1 adult animal); provide climbing branches

Substrate

Bark mulch, coco fibre, beech chips

Feeding

Food

Mice and rats (of a suitable size)

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

1.4–1.8 m (the smallest carpet python form)

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Western New Guinea (Irian Jaya / Papua) – taxonomically Morelia spilota variegata or "harrisoni"

Protection status

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

Brumation

Not essential; a slight seasonal cooling to stimulate breeding is optional

Cohabitation

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

Notes

The smallest and so the most space-saving carpet python – robust, even-tempered, and a good beginner's snake. The young are bitey and nervous at first, adults usually calm.

Do you keep this species?

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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 – Irian Jaya (Morelia spilota) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 135×90×180 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, carpet and amethystine pythons up to 2 m, 1 adult animal); provide climbing branches), 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.