Spotted python (Antaresia maculosa)

Short answers

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

90×45×45 cm for one adult animal (ground-oriented).

Spotted python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 31–33 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Spotted python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal), a day/night rhythm is enough.

Spotted python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Spotted python: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

31–33 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal), a day/night rhythm is enough

Enclosure

Minimum size

90×45×45 cm for one adult animal (ground-oriented)

Substrate

Aspen shavings or dry forest floor; hides and low climbing opportunities

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice); when fully grown, prey of a suitable size

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

90–120 cm (rarely up to ~140 cm)

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

North-eastern Australia (Queensland), rocky and wooded habitats

Protection status

Pythonidae → CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B; registration required in Germany (proof of origin or captive breeding needed)

Brumation

No real winter rest is needed; a slight drop in temperature (for a few weeks) to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (pythons are solitary, and there is a risk of competition over food and regurgitation). Put them together briefly only for supervised breeding

Notes

A robust, quiet beginner's snake, ground-dwelling. Regulate the heat source via a thermostat without fail. The temperature and humidity figures differ slightly between sources (a safe consensus range was chosen).

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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Spotted python (Antaresia maculosa) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (90×45×45 cm for one adult animal (ground-oriented)), substrate (Aspen shavings or dry forest floor; hides and low climbing opportunities), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.