Carpet Pythons are popular among diverse pet snakes for their vivid appearance. They exhibit a dazzling array of patterns, color variations that mimic beautiful woven carpets that are widely found in the Middle East. Often portrayed as a snake with an attitude and a nippy disposition, carpet pythons generally become used to handling and can even be docile. Additionally, carpet pythons are intelligent and curious snakes that are mostly seen in pet stores.
Carpet pythons can be a rewarding species for your own good, if you understand this species and its needs. The following guide contains important information to help you determine if the carpet python is the next snake for you.
Table of contents
Behaviour
Because of their semi-arboreal nature, carpet pythons have a slender build. Their colours are wide-ranging, depending on the subspecies. The jungle carpet python has a striking appearance with its black and yellow markings. The coastal carpet python is brownish with yellow stripes, while Irian Jayas is brownish with tan-coloured markings. Diamond carpet pythons are black coloured with yellow or white dots. Just as with colour, the size of adult carpet pythons is dependent upon the subspecies.
From smaller ones, like Irian Jaya (5 feet) till matured Coast carpet pythons (9 feet), these snakes grow in an advanced passion. In many species of carpet pythons, the male and female are of similar size. However, female diamond and coastal carpet pythons are often larger than the males. Carpet pythons are long-lived and commonly live over 20 years in captivity.
Temperature Requirements
A temperature gradient is a must and should for a caged snake. In particular, carpet snakes prefer warm basking, and the temperature maintained within the container should be 32o C high, and 26o C at low. During night, the temperature should be dropped to 70o F to mimic the natural environment.
In order to maintain the regulating temperature within the enclosure or the cage, static equipment is much in need. Like, the Ceramic heat emitter or Radiant heat panel, one that is mounted on top of the larger cage. And the heat pad/ flex watt tage that is placed beneath at smaller ones.
Humidity
The Carpet Python requires moderate humidity of about 50 – 60% which should be easily reached with good substrate choices and misting. You will mist according to the readings of an accurate digital hygrometer to ensure this humidity isn’t exceeded which can become detrimental to the snake, by promoting bacterial growth.
It is apt to provide a dish full of water or a pooling area for the snakes to rest and bathe. This way, the atmosphere remains hydrated, leaving behind sufficient humid temperature for skin shedding as well. The dish should be cleaned regularly and hygiene must be maintained prior.
Lighting
The snakes are in much need of UVB rays in their source lighting, which promotes a healthy environment for better snake growth. Normal lighting or heating for carpet snakes are provided in the form of Basking bulbs or Ceramic heat mats. But a full spectrum light is recommended for the snake breeders for regulating lighting year round.
A basking temperature of around 32oC should be maintained during the day, with cooler areas around 22-25oC which will enable your snake to respond properly.
Handling
Carpet Pythons are semi-arboreal snake species, which have a natural defensive stance by nature. So care must be taken while handling the snakes.
- Gradually increase the amount of time you engage with them.
- When handling carpet snakes, support the whole snake body with your hand. Like these snakes happens to perch on branches, raising your hand overhead will give them a calming effect.
- Avoid touching the snake’s head as it repulse back in defense.
- Let it move around your hands while you support its body, that way it creates a secure feel within this species.
Diet
Carpet Pythons are good eaters and tend to be overweight easily. Schedule and a regular routine should always be in check. As these pythons grow, the feed quantity should also be increased.
For the younger hatchling to one-year-old it is advised to feed once a week, during this period a lot of protein is required which are provided in the form of mice and chicks. For adult pythons, larger rats, guinea pigs or even small rabbits are suffice to be fed on every 2 to 3 weeks.
Food should be defrosted and preferably warmed up before feeding to snakes. Handling snakes should be avoided for the next 48 hours to reduce the risk of regurgitation.
Potential Health Issues
The following are potential health issues for your carpet python:
· Mites: Check your carpet python for mites on a regular basis. Mites might cause skin irritation for pythons.
· Dysecdysis: Also known as abnormal shedding, dysecdysis is often caused by inadequate humidity levels. If you see that your carpet python is experiencing an incomplete shed, have the snake bathe in a large container of water and increase the humidity level in the enclosure.
· Respiratory Infection: Respiratory infections are caused by viral or bacterial infections. Common causes of respiratory infections include improper temperature, ventilation, or excess humidity.
The following are health warning signs for your carpet python:
· Lack of appetite
· Spending excessive amounts of time submerged in its water bowl
· Emitting a wheezing sound when breathing
· Discharge, which can be fluid, from their nostrils or mouth.· Diarrhea
Substrate Nature
Carpet python can be successfully raised on any type of substrate of your choice. Regardless of the substrate you choose, it is important to spot-clean the substrate daily. The substrate should be changed regularly after 6 to 8 days.
There are many different substrates that can be used for a Carpet Python. Just newspaper can be used, but your snake will appreciate something natural. Aspen shavings and Cypress mulch are two safe and popular substrates.
If you are specially buying for snakes, then make sure it does not have any added chemicals. You can start with Coconut husk for snakes as it forms a very good choice in means of natural, organic, odor-dust-free, does not inflict any harm to snakes and environment.
Avoid using Pine, Walnut, or Cedar bedding. These substrates have oils and a strong smell that can irritate your snake. Eliminate the dust from wood shavings before putting them in the enclosure. Dust from shavings can be irritating to your snake and dehydrate them as well. Cleaning is most important. Whatever substrates you use It should be changed completely every 6 to 8 weeks.
The following is a list of bedding can be used for Carpet Snake:
- Coconut Husk
- Cypress mulch
- Newspaper
Bedding Types
Coconut Husk
The coconut bedding is an all natural, organic bedding option for your snake without investing much money. Coconut is helpful for encapsulating and breaking the foul odor. The coconut husk is a dust-free and odor-free bedding option which is absolutely chemical-free and non-toxic. It does not mold and is highly absorbent.
Advantages:
- Highly comfortable material for snakes
- Odor and Dust free
- Natural and Organic
Disadvantages:
- Does not retain humidity longer.
Cypress Mulch
Cypress Mulch is a comfortable bedding for snakes. It looks attractive and natural. It has a property of absorbing odor. This substrate is helpful for retaining moisture. It helps to create a natural looking enclosure for snakes so that they can feel comfortable.
Advantages:
- Retain moisture
- It does not mold
Disadvantages:
- Costly
- Risk of pest infestation
Newspaper
Newspapers are widely used for snake bedding because it’s readily available. They are really very cheap and easy to handle and replace. You can place the newspaper on the bottom of the cage. Snakes can’t easily burrow in newspaper but shredded newspaper is suitable for burrowing. But care must be taken, the wet newspaper can causes skin infection
Advantages:
- Affordable
- easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- Snakes can’t easily burrow in newspapers.
Conclusion
Carpet python are the chosen pet snakes for docile and intermediate temperamental after taming. They are of manageable size and do not inflict any injuries for breeders. Carpet snakes are a smart-inquisitive snake species that you need to be mindful of.
Carpet python goes well with any kind of substrate you provide. The substrate has to be of 2-3 inches of depth and good at aeration and allowing snakes to borrow. The choice of substrate selection is felt to the best of the breeders’ and snake needs. But the type, source, and depth of the substrate will have a significant impact on your pet snake health and activity.
