Carpet python (Morelia spilota)

Short answers

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

From 175×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, over 2 m); height matters, all forms climb.

Carpet python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–31 °C (cool area 22–28 °C), basking spot 32–36 °C, at night 16–25 °C.

Carpet python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB recommended.

Carpet python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Carpet python: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–31 °C (cool area 22–28 °C)

Night temperature

16–25 °C

Basking spot

32–36 °C

Humidity

40–70 %

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); height matters, all forms climb

Substrate

Bark mulch, coco fibre, beech shavings; sturdy climbing branches, a cork tube, a water dish

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

1.2–2.5 m depending on subspecies (coastal form exceptionally up to ~3.5 m)

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Australia and New Guinea

Protection status

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

Brumation

Varies by subspecies: the diamond python (spilota) requires winter dormancy without exception (6–12 weeks, 18–20 °C by day, 13–18 °C at night), as does the south-western form. For the other forms, a slight drop is only needed 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

Collective entry for all forms of Morelia spilota — intended for captive-bred animals from mixed pairings and for animals without a confirmed classification. The forms differ greatly in adult size and winter-rest requirements; anyone who knows the form should select that entry instead.

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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 (Morelia spilota) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 175×175×200 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, over 2 m); height matters, all forms climb), substrate (Bark mulch, coco fibre, beech shavings; sturdy climbing branches, a cork tube, a water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.