Carpet Python Care Sheet
NEW!! Scroll down for a short video on a Jungle Carpet Python
Jungle Carpet Python by Kyle A Zimmerman
(Care Sheets are only a simplified look at how to keep the relevant snake, for more comprehensive information consult the appropriate book in our book store)
General: Carpet pythons are found throughout Australia and parts of New Guinea. There are many different subspecies of carpet pythons. The most common are Jungle Carpet Pythons, Costal Carpet Pythons, and Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons. Jungle carpet pythons are among the most beautiful snakes and inhabit northern Queensland. Costal carpet pythons inhabit much of eastern Australia and adults can reach over ten feet long. Irian Jaya carpet pythons are usually reddish-brown as hatchlings and adults seldom grow over six feet. These snakes are excellent climbers and can usually be found in the trees. Jungle carpet and costal carpet pythons typically prefer denser forests and are found near waterways. The Irian Jaya carpet python is restricted to a more open savannah and is usually not found in dense forests. Carpet pythons can lay 10-25 eggs and they will hatch within 65 days when incubated at 84-88 degrees.
Temperature: Carpet pythons should be maintained at 85-90 degrees during the day. A hot spot 95 degrees. Nighttime temperatures need to range between 72-80 degrees. It is important to make sure the temperatures are maintained. Daily misting should be used to maintain humidity between 65-80 %
Enclosure: Juvenile Carpet Pythons can be housed in a 29 Gallon or larger glass terrarium, whereas adults should be housed in a 6ft X 2ft X 4ft Tank, the larger the better.
Substrate: The best substrate for Carpet pythons is bark, coconut husk or eco earth, because these substrates hold moisture very well and duplicate the carpet pythons natural environment.
Feeding: Carpet pythons can be started on pinky, fuzzy mice and rat pups and will move up to decent sized rats as they grow older. Feed juvenile Carpet pythons once or twice a week generally once every four days works well. Adults can be fed every 7-10 days to maintain a proper body weight. Never leave live prey alone with your Carpet python.
Cleaning: Clean and disinfect your carpet pythons enclosure thoroughly at least once a month. Remove fecal matter as it appears
Carpet python eating a chicken
