This Irian Jaya Carpet Python care sheet should be used for guidance only. If you have decided to keep a pet snake please gather as much information as possible from other reliable sources about the species you intend to keep.
Irian Jaya Carpet Python
Morelia spilota variegata
DESCRIPTION
Carpet Pythons are large Australian constrictors, the smallest of which is the Irian Jaya Carpet Python. This beautiful and powerful constrictor reaches a length of 5 – 7 feet and is ideal for anyone who wants to own one of these impressive and beautiful snakes but has limited space. Some other Carpet Python subspecies such as the Coastal Carpet Python (M.s.mcdowelli) can reach lengths exceeding 12 feet.
Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons are slender constricting snakes with large heads that are very distinct from their bodies and they are found naturally in New Guinea and the far northern coast of Australia. These nocturnal snakes are also sometimes known as West Papuan Carpet Pythons.
HOUSING
Hatchling Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons can be started in an enclosure measuring approx 18” x 12” and cage size should be increased to approx 48” w 15”d x 18”h for adults, although some smaller adults may be ok in a 36” vivarium. Plastic storage boxes are sometimes used to house Carpet Pythons but in my opinion they are happier in wooden cabinet vivariums with sliding glass doors. These provide better ventilation and adequate height and allow space for a light fitting so you can better view this beautiful semi-arboreal snake in the daytime. Converted aquariums can also be used but the lid must be secure. Like all snakes Carpet Pythons are excellent escape artists.
A water bowl is a necessity and should preferably be large enough for the snake to bathe in if it wishes. The water bowl should be heavy with straight sides so that it is not easily tipped over by your snake. The water bowl should be placed in the coolest area of the vivarium.
Climbing
branches will be used by Carpet Pythons and provide exercise to keep
your pet healthy. Hiding places should also be provided for your Irian
Jaya Carpet Python. These can be bought from reptile supply shops or
homemade from ice cream or margarine tubs depending on snake size.
Pieces of cork bark make excellent naturalistic hiding spots. At least
one hiding place should be provided, preferably two. If you only have
room for one keep it in the coolest part of the vivarium. The hiding
place should be just large enough for the snake to squeeze into so that
it feels safe and secure.
For decoration a few plastic plants may be added. This, along with the cork bark (if used) will make the vivarium look much more like the natural habitat of the Irian Jaya Carpet Python.
Substrate can be as simple as paper towels or newspaper which are both easily replaced when dirty, but if you are going for the more natural look, use orchid bark, wood chips, coconut fibre or a mixture of the three. Coconut fibre is usually sold in small bricks that expand when water is added and care should be taken to ensure it has properly dried out before adding to the vivarium floor to avoid mould and skin problems caused by damp and humidity.
HEATING AND TEMPERATURE
Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons require an ambient temperature of 25-27c and a basking spot that reaches 31-33c in the daytime. At night temperatures can be allowed to drop by 3 or 4 degrees although this is not strictly necessary. Heating can be provided by an under floor heat mat large enough to cover 1/3 to ½ of the floor area. This will gently warm the substrate from below to create a warm basking spot without making too much difference to the air temperature. If the ambient temperature isn't high enough a low wattage bulb can be attached to the roof on the same side of the vivarium as the heat pad. Note: Bulbs above 25w should be covered by a bulb guard to prevent burns to your Python and kept away from any branches and plants.
Another good form of heating for this semi-arboreal Carpet Python is the ceramic heater which can be fixed into a bulb fitting (Make sure the bulb fitting is rated high enough for the heater to avoid fire risk). A 60w ceramic heater should be adequate for a 48” x 15” x 18” vivarium. Ceramic heat emitters produce long wave infra red heat that efficiently penetrate your reptiles skin to heat your snake throughout.
Light
bulbs or spotlight bulbs could also be used for heating but care must
be taken to ensure it is replaced before it blows if used as the only
heat source and another source of heat would need to be provided at
night when the bulb is turned off. If you must use a light bulb for heat
at night, ensure its a red bulb as this will cause minimal disturbance
to your snake. Light bulbs must be covered by a bulb guard to prevent
accidental injury to your Python.
LIGHTING
Lighting is not strictly necessary for this snake if kept in a well lit room, but if you are only using heat mats or ceramic heaters to heat your enclosure and would like to display your snakes during the day a long flourescent tube (e.g. ZooMed Reptisun 18” 15w) can be used to illuminate your Irian Jaya Carpet Python's enclosure with little change to the ambient temperature.
All lighting should be switched off at night. A timer bought from a hardware store can be used to do this automatically. 12-14 hours of light a day is sufficient.
HUMIDITY
FEEDING
In the wild Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons live off a variety of small mammals and birds. In captivity a diet of rats is ideal although they will also take mice and chicks. Start with rat pups for juveniles and work up to small or medium sized adult rats. Juvenile Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons that are started on a mouse diet are sometimes difficult to persuade to take rats in later life. Carpet Pythons can quite easily swallow rats up to twice as thick as their own bodies and frequency of feeding should be altered to accommodate this. If the food item is twice the thickness of your python it will only need feeding every 10-14 days. 2 small adult rats make a good fortnightly meal for the average Irian Jaya Carpet Python. Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons tend to have a better feeding response in the evening although they will also take food at other times if hungry.
Food can be left on the floor of the cage but some Carpet Pythons prefer to take food wiggled in front of them in a pair of tongs. All Carpet Pythons are generally good feeders.
HANDLING
Adult Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons are usually quite content to be handled but are not as relaxing to hold as a Royal Python or Corn Snake and tend not to settle. Hatchlings can occasionally be a bit nippy but tend to calm down with age and handling.
SEXING
Male Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons have thicker tails and much larger spurs (remnants of the legs of their ancestors) than females, but to be sure of the sex it is best to take your snake to a vet to be probed if you are not familiar with the technique. This involves gently inserting a small lubricated metal probe into the snakes cloaca towards the tail. In male snakes the probe can be inserted a lot further before resistance is felt. This should only be done by someone experienced as it can easily cause injury in the hands of an amateur.
Your Irian Jaya Carpet Python's enclosure should be spot checked for faeces on a daily basis and cleaned out completely with a reptile-safe disinfectant monthly. All cage furniture should also be disinfected at this time and the substrate should be changed.
A good cheap disinfectant is a solution of household bleach and water at a ratio of 4% bleach and 96% water. This can be sprayed and then wiped off the vivarium and cage furniture. It is very important that everything is rinsed thoroughly with water and then allowed to dry before returning your Carpet Python to its enclosure.
Your snake should be given fresh water at least twice weekly.
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