CARPET PYTHONS
CARING FOR YOUR CARPET PYTHON
HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT
Carpet Pythons are large, heavy bodied, semi arboreal snakes, in captivity they can live up to 30 years old and reach between 2-4m long as adults. It is important that adult pythons are housed in an enclosure with adequate height to enable them to climb. For an adult carpet python, an enclosure with dimensions of at least 120cm x 60cm x 60cm is recommended, however, extra height is always beneficial. It is important that the enclosure has sufficient ventilation as well as a secure, lockable door. Hatchling pythons are much better suited to smaller enclosures to begin with, reducing stress as they grow. The enclosure can be furnished to recreate the animal’s natural environment including the use of a background, artificial plants, rock ornaments and timber branches for basking and climbing. An absorbent substrate is also important such as a bark and coco fibre mix or aspen snake bedding is perfect for bedding and will hold humidity.
HEATING, LIGHTING & MAINTENANCE:
Providing adequate temperature gradients within a python’s enclosure is essential for their health and wellbeing. Most carpet pythons require a basking spot maintained between 30-34 Degrees Celsius and a cool end of 22 – 28 Degrees Celsius during the day. Night temperatures should not drop below 21 Degrees Celsius, However, specific temperature requirements vary between carpet python sub-species. Temperatures should be checked daily and must be regulated with the use of a good quality thermostat. Recommended sources of heat include the use of incandescent, halogen or ceramic globes as well as heat mats and heat cords. There are a number of positive benefits to a python’s health by providing them with UV lighting. A 5.0 UVB tube or compact globe is an ideal source of artificial UV light. Pythons require a ‘Day and Night’ light cycle with lights running for approximately 10-12 hours each day, set on a timer. Pythons also benefit from short periods of access to unfiltered, natural light outdoors. It is important to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the python’s enclosure. Daily spot checks should be carried out and any faeces, shed skin or uneaten food should be removed immediately. A full substrate change should be carried out every 6-8 weeks (depending on what substrate is used) and the enclosure thoroughly cleaned with a reptile-safe disinfectant.
DIET
In the wild, carpet pythons will prey upon a variety of different animals including rodents, birds, possums and even bats. They are opportunistic, ambush predators and will eat whenever food is available. In captivity, carpet pythons can be fed a range of different foods depending on their size. Commercially bred mice, rats and birds are readily available at Pets Warehouse, Penrith for purchase. A juvenile python should be fed an appropriately sized mouse or rat once a week, adults can be fed once every two weeks. Food items must be defrosted completely before offering to snakes by submerging them in hot (not boiling) water for 10-15 minutes in a zip loc bag. Moving the snakes to a separate feeding tub to their normal enclosure will teach good behaviour and prevent them from becoming “cage territorial’.
COMMON HEALTH ISSUES
MITES- Reptile mites cause significant irritation to a python’s skin; a python may lay in its water bowl if it has an infestation as water can drown the mites.
DYSECDYSIS- (Abnormal shedding) due to low humidity can sometimes result in a python having an incomplete shed. Giving your python a warm bath in a small container will help lift any stuck shed.
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS- a bacterial or viral infection that may be caused by incorrect temperature, inadequate ventilation or too high humidity.
LICENSING NSW
Pythons in New South Wales are required to be kept under a reptile keeper’s licence. The licence is easily obtainable by phoning National Parks and Wildlife on (02) 9585 6406 or Service NSW (02) 13 77 88. It is presently law in New South Wales to have a licence. Without it, it is impossible to gain a reptile legally.