Centralian carpet python (Morelia bredli)

Short answers

Centralian carpet python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m) for 1 adult animal; bigger is better.

Centralian carpet python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C (cool area 22–25 °C), basking spot 34–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Centralian carpet python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) recommended.

Centralian carpet python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Centralian carpet python: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C (cool area 22–25 °C)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

34–40 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential, low UVB (Ferguson zone 1–2) recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m) for 1 adult animal; bigger is better

Substrate

Dry: beech chips, cypress mulch, a sand-loam mix, bark mulch

Feeding

Food

Mice, rats; adults also take larger rodents

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

usually 1.5–2.2 m, heavy-bodied; exceptions up to 2.4–3 m

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Central Australia (the MacDonnell Ranges / Red Centre, semi-arid)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II, EU Regulation 338/97 Annex B → specially protected under German law; proof of origin plus registration with the local nature conservation authority

Brumation

Optional: a slight winter drop (day ~22–24 °C, with a night-time drop, ~6–8 weeks), which stimulates breeding

Cohabitation

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

Notes

An arid, heat-loving species from the Red Centre; low humidity, good ventilation, and dampen it lightly only for shedding. Robust, but large and strong – mind the space requirement. It takes cool nights well.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Centralian carpet python (Morelia bredli) in the marketplace →

Related species

• 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
• Green tree python (Morelia viridis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Centralian carpet python (Morelia bredli) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×150×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, over 2 m) for 1 adult animal; bigger is better), substrate (Dry: beech chips, cypress mulch, a sand-loam mix, bark mulch), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.