Scientific Name : Morelia spilota cheynei

Sex : Male

Length : 6 Ft (Avg. 4 – 6 Feet – Females are longer)

Weight : 7 lb. (Avg. 4 – 8 lb. – Females are bigger)

Lifespan : Captive Born 1999, Age 5 years (Longevity 20 – 30 years)

Breeding: Egg Layer, up to 30 young

Habitat : Rivers and waterways that drain the Atherton tableland are their primary habitat, although much of the subtropical rainforest has been divided by man.

Food and Hunting : Arboreal in nature, Carpet Pythons hunt in the dense jungle using their long slender tail to anchor them in the trees. They feed on mammals but they also take birds. Heat sensing pits along the edges of their lips aid these nocturnal hunters in locating warm-blooded prey. In captivity they are fed mice and rats appropriate to their age and size.

Conservation : Carpet Pythons are endangered throughout their range because of habitat loss, being hunted for their skins and exported for the pet trade. They are regularly captive bred and impact on wild populations collected for the pet trade is decreasing. Captive breeding programs may be the only hope for species whose habitat is slowly disappearing.

Captive Care : Their reasonable size, temperament and heat requirements make them suitable for experienced keepers. Most specimens feed well on frozen thawed mice and rats.