A Mid-Sized Snake: Carpet Pythons

Native to New Guinea and Australia is the carpet python. Scientifically classified as Morelia spilotes variegata, this is a snake that can grow up to seventeen feet in length, and is thus considered a mid-sized python. Although long for other snakes, one has to remember that the longest python extends to over thirty feet (the reticulated Python, which is scientifically classified as Python reticularis). The python gets its name from the fact that many consider than its skin colorings look like an oriental rug.

If you desperately want the carpet python because of its stunning patterns, but can only manage a smaller snake, then Morelia spilotes spilotes could be the species for you. Also known as the diamond python, this is a species that is closely related to the carpet python and is distinguished by its beautiful diamond patterns.

When you are building a vivarium for your python you will want to mimic its natural habitat as far as possible, and the good news is that this varies a lot. For example, they live in deserts and rain forests. Furthermore, they are just as happy living in trees like the green tree python as they are burrowing in moist land. Given this variety you need to put some planning into the vivarium. The temperature range should be around the mid twenties centigrade to thirty degrees, and some branches or trees for climbing should be provided. The size of the branches should be appropriate to the size of your snake. You will need a vivarium of a minimum seventy two inches in length.

Like all snakes the carpet python in an elongated reptile, which has all its paired organs (such as kidneys) running in a row down one side of its body. Handling a carpet when it is young is not too challenging, and indeed it is important that as a captive snake it gets used to human contact, however, as these snakes reach adulthood they are best left in their vivarium. As with many large snakes a carpet python does not sit still for very long, and out of the vivarium they will soon be wrapping themselves around your furniture, and crushing any loose objects.

When it comes to feeding your carpet python, it has a broader appetite than most reptiles. In will eat just about any mammal, and even take well to small birds. Thus in summary, these are beautiful creatures, that are not to hard to care for, but are not the ideal pet snake for handling. These beautiful elongated, reptiles, may lack legs, but they don't lack character. They may lack ears, but the certainly pay attention.

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