Carpet Pythons

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="05b7cbc0.jpg" border=0 width="124" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KirosReptiles Australian Reptiles Page"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="poll.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Herp Vote Which of these Aussie reptile"><U><B>Online Herp Vote</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="pogona.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pogona Page"><U><B>Bearded Dragons</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>(</B><I><B>Pogona vitticeps</B></I><B>)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Carpet Python ssp.</B></div> <div> <B>(</B><I><B>Morelia spilota</B></I><B>)</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="groups.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Groups to Join"><U><B>Groups to Join</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03d8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>KirosReptiles' Australian Reptiles Page</B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03d8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Carpet Pythons</I></div> <bR> <div> Carpet python subspecies (<I>Morelia spilota ssp</I>) are a very diverse subspecies of the lovely Diamond python (<I>Morelia spilota spilota</I>). </div> <bR> <div> They are native to Australia and North into New Guinea (Irian Jaya specifically), residing in varied habitats from scrub to rainforest. </div> <bR> <div> Just as varied as their habitat is their potential adult size. On the one hand, there is the Queensland - or Coastal - Carpet python (<I>M. s. mcdowelli</I>) which may reach 10+ feet long; and then again there is the smaller form such as the Irian Jaya Carpet python (M. s. variegata) which generally maxes out at 4-6ft. </div> <bR> <div> As for breeding; records indicate a mating season (in captivity) from late-August/early-September, through to January/February of the following year, at a terrarium temperature of 31oC (88oF). This was observed between two Carpets, with the male being 1.15KG (40oz) and the somewhat larger female - 2.325KG (81.4oz). Thirteen eggs were laid in the following June and incubated at 32oC (90oF). </div> <bR> <div> After 55 and 56 days, seven very aggressive young hatched; measuring between 31 and 46.5cm (12.5-18.6 ins) long. Birth weights varied between 10 and 26 grams (0.35 - 0.9oz). (<I><B>Schmidt, 1995</B></I>) </div> <bR> <div> In general, Carpets are long, slender snakes which are moderately laterally compressed (Irian Jaya and Northern Territory ssp excepted - these are extremely compressed, especially as juveniles). They are also highly arboreal, as revealed by that lithe build - perfect for gliding through the branches. Activity patterns are predominantly nocturnal, though they will also bask during the daytime sun where necessary. </div> <bR> <div> When it comes to feeding, Carpets excel. They possess several modifications which allow them to successfully stalk, capture, and subdue their prey (mice, rats, birds, possums, marsupials etc). Let us look at a typical hunting scenario from a young Carpet; </div> <bR> <div> Imagine, just as he is disturbing from a long lazy day our python's curiosity is aroused. Slowly, he flicks his tongue into the air and carries the scent molecules he picked up back into his mouth and up into the Jacobsons organ... Instantly, he is on full alert. A possum is nearby. </div> <bR> <div> Now excited, our friend creeps along his branch in the direction of the scent. He freezes. The infa-red heat detector pits on the front of his face and in deep cavities along the side of his jaw (they are more specifically located in the rostral and labial scales) pick up a warm outline; it's the possum. Now in a state of extreme excitement and with his instincts in overdrive, he creeps, creeps, slowly along the branch - testing the air all the while to keep tabs on the movements in direction and intensity of scent molecules.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0548e260.jpg" border=0 width="142" height="294" ALT="Carpet python eating a possum in a barn. Photo courtesy of Australian Snakes" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The possum (unaware of the impending danger) turns by chance to face the snake, giving him a perfect chance to make his move. He gathers his body forwards silently, into a series of S-shaped coils - ready to pounce. </div> <bR> <div> One last look at the warm blooded animal to calibrate his strike.... and BANG! He lunges out and sinks well over 100 long, needle-sharp, recurved teeth into his prey; simultaneously engulfing it in a series of strong, muscular coils. The animal is constricted in short order. </div> <bR> <div> Then, all that is left is to slowly but surely walk the elasticated jaws over the food item until nothing is left to see. The python takes up his position in the trees... invisible once again, if somewhat plumper than before. </div> <bR> <div> Digestion can take anything between a couple of days and a month - depending on prey size and prevailing temperature (Pythons are poikilothermic remember). Snakes' digestive juices are strong enough to dissolve bone and teeth. The only remaining item of the once whole prey animal will be some matted hair in the snake's faeces. </div> <bR> <div> On the subject of faeces, it is interesting to note that some pythons seem only to defecate following the shedding of their skins. I have in the past had a male Royal (Ball) Python (<I>Python regius</I>) who would eat so much I thought he was about to burst; yet he showed no signs of bloating or discomfort. </div> <bR> <div> Only after the completion of the shed cycle would he open his cloaca and empty the waste from the preceding two month's feed (this was a yearling python and still shedding regularly). </div> <bR> <div> This same phenomena can be witnessed in the Carpet pythons. My current Carpet will invariably defecate following shed cycles, even when it has been some time since the animal consumed any food items. </div> <bR> <div> There are some interesting and wonderful specimens of this species in captivity - indeed, there is a GT Striped Carpet python held at <A HREF="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/AustralianSnakes" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/Austra"><U>Australian Snakes</U></A>.  They tell me that the animal was found in a cargo of fruit! Note the elongate form and <B>complete</B> stripe!!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/AustralianSnakes" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/Austra"><U><IMG SRC="0552cbf0.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="191" ALT="FULL Stripe !! Woooooo Courtesy of Australian Snakes" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/AustralianSnakes" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/Austra"><U><IMG SRC="056a2be0.jpg" border=0 width="418" height="190" ALT="FULL Stripe !! Woooooo Courtesy of Australian Snakes" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> In the herpetoculturists' vivarium (outside Australasia) they do well at a fairly constant temperature of 32oC (89oF) with a photoperiod of 12:12. I personally use a large enclosure heated by a 100 watt light bulb during the day, and at night the lights go out and a heat mat under the substrate (sand and compost at a ratio of 3:2, well compacted) kicks in to maintain a warm spot. There should also be a large shallow water bowl for soaking, and this can be placed partially over the heat mat to both aid a suitable humidity (which is best around 40 - 50% ~ <I>pers. obs</I>) and keep the ambient vivarium temperature higher, through evaporation of warm water at night. Provision for climbing is a must. Hide boxes on the ground may, or may not, be utilised. I find that my python simply retreats to his branches for security - though a mounted birds' nest box or similar may be offered at branch height for seclusion.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="057c9790.jpg" border=0 width="201" height="121" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="058da790.jpg" border=0 width="218" height="121" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="059c8e30.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="227" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"></FONT>These three images depict a JUNGLE Carpet Python (sometimes assigned the unofficial taxonomic description of Morelia spilota cheynei). These images are from, once again, the ever-helpful <A HREF="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/AustralianSnakes" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/Austra"><U>Australian Snakes</U></A>. Note the abundance of yellow in the pattern and the contrast between the two colours. </div> <bR> <div> My Carpet also is - I believe - a Jungle. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Feeding in captivity is generally no problem - though individual specimens may develop preferences (mice only, rats only etc). A period of voracious feeding response followed by a slight fast is nothing to worry about. Indeed, I tend to feed my <I>variegata </I>for two weeks and skip the third feeding. </div> <bR> <div> One thing to mention is the disposition of these pythons. Some regard these as aggressive, nervous, or just plain mean. I disagree in general. Specimens of all snakes run the gamut, and so long as your Carpet is handled gently <B>and consistently</B> from being young, then you should encounter no problems. Note that these seem to like sitting ON you rather than being held BY you. This is worth keeping in mind with a nervy youngster, at least until it gets used to your scent and touch as non-threatening.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>MORE TO COME ON THE CARPET PYTHON SOON</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>DOWNLOAD PAPERS TO READ: </B>(right click <<I>save target as</I>>)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fortunecity.com/uproar/amused/376/HTMLobj-66/Auspyt4.doc" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fortunecity.com/uproar/amused"><U><B><U>Australian Pythons Part IV ~ Morelia</U></B></U></A> (<I>R. Hoser</I>)</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fortunecity.com/uproar/amused/376/HTMLobj-65/CarPyt1.doc" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fortunecity.com/uproar/amused"><U><B><U>Hybrid Carpet Pythons</U></B></U></A>  (<I>R. Hoser</I>)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>References & Links: </B></div> <bR> <div> Breeding and Keeping Snakes, TFH Publications 1995. ISBN 0793801265</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.smuggled.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.smuggled.com/"><U>Smuggled.com</U></A>  Website and works of Mr Raymond Hoser ~ With kind permission</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>