Carpet Pythons
Carpet Pythons are a medium to large species of non-venomous snake native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Known for their striking patterns that resemble a woven carpet, they come in various color morphs, ranging from olive to gold and black. Carpet Pythons can grow between 6-13 feet, depending on the subspecies. They are skilled climbers and are often found in trees, as well as on the ground, preying on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Due to their calm demeanor and striking appearance, they are popular among experienced snake keepers. With proper care, they can live for over 20 years in captivity.
Types of Carpet Python
Carpet Python Husbandry
Daily Chores
● Fresh water daily
● Spot clean daily
● Spray Daily (Full clean once a month)
● Use F10 Veterinary Disinfectant
Vets and Insurance
● Exotics Vets are not easy to find, here in Brighton we use Coastways in Kemptown as they have an exotic vet called Celine. It is essential you find an exotic vet.
● There is insurance you can get for your reptile through Exotic Direct.
Handling your Carpet Python
When handling your Snake ensure you support its body and ensure your surroundings are safe. Do not handle your snake after feeding. They need to be left alone so they can properly digest their food. Wait a minimum of 2-3 days before handling after feeding.
Handling sessions should be no longer than 45 minutes. Snakes are really curious animals and will try to fit into small spaces so never leave the snake unattended.
Always make sure there are no pets like dogs and cats around when handling your Snake.
Do not put a snake around your neck.
Equipment such as Snake Hooks and Feeding tongs are needed when owning snakes.
Always use a snake hook when entering a pythons enclosure as they use heat pits to find their food and your hand is a large heat
source and could confuse the snake resulting in bites.
Carpet Python Diets
Carpet pythons mostly feed after dark, and eat smaller animals such as rats, possums and birds. Smaller carpet pythons prefer to feed on lizards. In captivity, they eat mice, rats and chicks.
Why can I not handle my snake after feeding?
You should never handle your snake just after they’ve eaten, as they can regurgitate their food. As you can imagine, this is even more unpleasant for your snake than it is for you who has to clean up! When your snake regurgitates their food, its esophagus will be irritated by the stomach acid that they bring up with the food. Therefore, if they regurgitate their food, you’ll need to wait for two weeks before feeding again.
How to Feed a Snake
Step 1 – Defrost the prey in hot tap water, this can be in a bucket or mug etc.
Step 2 – Leave the prey to fully defrost (roughly 30 minutes). The size of the prey will affect how long you need to defrost it for.
Step 3 – Check that they prey is soft and completely thawed out.
Step 4 – Discard of the old water, reheat the prey with fresh warm water and then dry off the prey. (This is just so you do not scare the snake with wet food.
Step 5 – Offer the prey to the snake, using feeding tongs and always offer the head to the snake.
If the snake does not take after 20 minutes, leave it in the tank on the cold side. We call this drop feeding.
12 hours later if he hasn’t taken the prey, discard of the prey and try again in a week.
Young – Feed every 7-14 days
Adult – Feed every 2-3 weeks
Supplementing your Snake’s Diet
The use of high-quality reptile supplements in the correct amounts at the correct frequencies will help to ensure optimum bone health and skin health for your reptile, and help to avoid a plethora of nutrition-related illnesses such as metabolic bone disease.
Defrosted whole animal items can be offered with EarthPro-A at every feed. CaMg at the 4th within a cycle. For problem shedders, ShedSupport can be used as per the instructions on the packet. As snakes feed in longer periods the dose is built up per feed and over time. Please use as per the instructions on the packet.
Check out the feeding schedule using the link below https://www.arcadiareptile.com/earthpro/feeding-programme/herbivores/
Minimum rehoming Requirements for a Carpet Python
You can source all enclosures, equipment, electrics and decor from us as we run a shop.
This is for Young/Smaller Carpet Pythons.
4ft x 2ft x 3ft tall Vivarium
Arcadia Reptile ProT5 24w 6% Kit £60
50W Arcadia Reptile Deep Heat Projector £21
Dimming thermostat £55
Arcadia Reptile Ceramic bulb holder and plug £15
Habistat Heat Cage £15
6ft x 2ft x 3ft tall Vivarium
Arcadia Reptile ProT5 39w 6% Kit £65
50W Arcadia Reptile Deep Heat Projector £21
Dimming thermostat £55
Arcadia Reptile Ceramic bulb holder and plug £15
Habistat Heat Cage £15
Substrate and decor is up to you. We advice a Sand X Soil mix as substrate and a minimum of 2 hides and a water dish.
This is for an Adult/Larger Carpet Pythons.
8ft x 3ft x 3ft Vivarium
Arcadia Reptile ProT5 54w 6% Kit £70
50W Arcadia Reptile Deep Heat Projector £21
Dimming thermostat £55
Arcadia Reptile Ceramic bulb holder and plug £15
Habistat Heat Cage £15
Substrate and decor is up to you. We advice a Sand X Soil mix as substrate and a
minimum of 2 hides and a water dish.
If you are getting a vivarium from us, we will set it up for you free of charge. If not, when setting up your electrics, ensure both the UVB and heating are on the same side. Fit your UVB on the top front of the viv, behind the runner and heating should centered
on the warm side.
