Carpet Pythons and Jaguar Carpet Python Exotic Spectacular Snakes

Carpet pythons and Jaguar Carpet Python have long been a favorite among reptile enthusiasts, and once you’ve owned one. Carpet pythons (Morelia spilota ssp.) have long been a favorite among reptile enthusiasts, and once you’ve owned one, it’s not difficult to see why. For me, it was simply a matter of viewing a color photograph of one in the pages of a thick, hardbound book, Living Snakes of the World by John M. Mehrtens, which my parents bought for me when I was about 13 years old. By that time, I was already experienced in keeping many different snakes found near my home in South Florida, but from that moment on I had my heart set on carpet pythons! Jungle carpets, such as this 2-year-old female, are one of the most popular and colorful of the available carpet python subspecies.

Carpet pythons

The problem was that back then, carpet pythons were not as readily available as they are today, and it would be several years before I actually acquired one. In more recent years, I’ve enjoyed maintaining a collection of carpet pythons larger than I could ever have imagined. Both novice and advanced hobbyists find carpets undemanding and rewarding snakes to keep. They have the kind of exotic
appeal and impressive size that you would expect from a python, without the risk of it outgrowing your home. Most have pleasant dispositions and are easily handled.

Carpet pythons and Jaguar Carpet Python are hardy feeders and prolific breeders in captivity. They are also available in a wide variety of beautiful colors and patterns, including both the naturally occurring locality variations, and genetic color and pattern mutations. And because they are semiarboreal, these snakes often perch or bask in plain view where their beauty may be enjoyed.

Carpet Python

The problem was that back then, carpet pythons were not as readily available as they are today, and it would be several years before I actually acquired one. In more recent years, I’ve enjoyed maintaining a collection of carpet pythons larger than I could ever have imagined. Both novice and advanced hobbyists find carpets undemanding and rewarding snakes to keep. They have the kind of exotic appeal and impressive size that you would expect from a python, without the risk of it outgrowing your home.

Most have pleasant dispositions and are easily handled. Carpet pythons are hardy feeders and prolific breeders in captivity. They are also available in a wide variety of beautiful colors and patterns, including both the naturally occurring locality variations, and genetic color and pattern mutations. And because they are semiarboreal, these snakes often perch or bask in plain view
where their beauty may be enjoyed.

From roughly the early to mid-1980s through the late 1990s, carpets enjoyed a popularity few snakes have rivaled. The introduction of the jungle carpet made a lasting impression on the reptile community and subsequent selective breeding efforts coupled with a few long-awaited morphs that have recently started to surface have caused many people to “rediscover” the spectacular carpet python.

Carpet pythons

There are several recognized varieties of carpets, including the coastal carpet (Morelia spilota mcdowelli), jungle carpet (M.s. cheynei), southwestern carpet (M. s. imbricata), northwestern carpet (M. s. variegata), inland carpet (M. s. metcalfei) and centralian python (M. s. bredli). All but one of these are found exclusively on the continent of Australia, the exception being the Irian Jaya or New Guinea carpet (M. s. variegata), which some authorities consider to be a separate subspecies (M. s.
harrisoni). This is an adult female coastal carpet (M. s. mcdowelli), likely of Brisbane locality.
For the purposes of this article, we will try to direct most of our attention toward the carpets most commonly kept in U.S. and European collections. These species include the jungle, coastal and Irian Jaya carpet. We will also touch on some different aspects of the diamond python (M. s. spilota), which are very closely related to carpet pythons.

Carpet Pythons Natural History

Carpets Python cover a wide variety of natural habitats, ranging from hot and humid rain forests to arid grasslands and even into the drier desert regions of central Australia. Much like common American rat snakes, carpets are commonly found living among human habitations (in attics, garages, barns and other inhabited or abandoned man-made structures). Human structures provide them with suitable shelter from the elements, and food sources are plentiful in these areas. Being basically nocturnal, carpets emerge from their daytime hiding spots only to bask for short periods of time in warm sunlight, when temperatures are not too intense. Carpet pythons are often found crossing roads at night, either searching for a mate or a delectable meal. Unfortunately, many of these snakes are killed by automobiles.

Carpet pythons may forage for food in trees and dense vegetation within their range, but radiotelemetric studies conducted in 1988 (Slip and Shine) revealed that carpet pythons are primarily ambush predators. They will sometimes drape the first third of their body over a branch in an “S” shape and remain still for several hours, waiting for an opportunity to strike. They will also strategically place themselves near frequently used animal trails, again, waiting for something to pass by.

Like all species of the genus Morelia, carpet pythons undergo a dramatic ontogenic color change as they mature. Coastal and jungle carpet Python hatchlings typically start off rather drab in appearance and gain color and contrast with age. Some coastal carpet localities produce offspring with beautiful red, orange or yellow colors, whereas Irian Jaya carpets consistently hatch out with either orange or red coloration. These colors noticeably change within the first few sheds. However, adult coloration takes a few years to fully develop.

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