The coastal carpet python, Morelia spilotes mcdowelli , (also known as the Queensland or common carpet python) , is arguably one of the most commonly kept and bred pythons. Their popularity can be attributed to their impressive but not unmanageable size coupled with a docile demeanor and attractive pattern.
    In their native Australia the coastal carpet python occurs in forested areas over a large area of eastern coastal and central Queensland, and ranges as far south as northern New South Wales. The southern portion of the range of coastal carpet pythons overlaps that of the diamond python, Morelia s. spilotes , and the two taxa have been known to integrade (Barker and Barker 1994). In Queensland, the range of the jungle carpet python, Morelia s. cheynei, is overlapped by that of the coastal carpet python and these two taxa are believed to integrade in the area near Port Douglas (Hoser 1989, Barker and Barker 1994).
    Throughout their huge range the coastal carpet python shows great variation in colour and pattern. The ground colour is generally a shade of brown, but may be green/gray or black. The pattern elements, which may be blotches, stripes, bands, or any combination of the three, are generally lighter in colour than the ground colour. The pattern elements colour may be light gray, brown, khaki, orange, or yellow. Specimens most commonly seen in captivity most resemble specimens from north of Townsville in Queensland, but because of the lack of locality data and the breeding of animals from disjunct ranges the exact pedigree of practically all the coastal carpet pythons in captivity is unknown.
    The coastal carpet python is a medium sized python. In captivity males reach average lengths of five to eight feet while females generally reach lengths of eight to ten feet. In the wild Coastal carpet pythons are generally four to seven feet in length but large specimens of up to nine feet have been encountered.
    The coastal carpet python thrives in captivity, one reason being that the only specimens available to collectors for the last twenty years have been bred in captivity. Another contributing factor would be that their range encompasses tropical and semi-temperate areas which makes them able to withstand and thrive in temperatures somewhat lower than those recommended for other pythons.
 

    Our coastal carpet pythons are maintained individually in wooden or commercially available plastic cages that offer five to eight square feet of floor space. We generally prefer wooden cages as they hold the heat better than the plastic cages. Perches or climbing branches are not necessary but seem to be appreciated, and may be used by the snake to assist shedding. Filtered water is offered in ceramic or plastic dishes and is available to the snakes at all times. All carpet pythons in our collection have newspaper as a substrate, but aspen or pine shavings would make a satisfactory substitute. The pythons are also given access to one or more hiding areas created by the use of a large cardboard box or plastic storage container with an entrance cut in the top or side. The Pythons will also use these hide boxes as perching areas.
    The method used to provide heat for our carpet pythons is simple in the extreme. From February to November ambient temperatures in the room where we keep our collection are maintained between 76 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating pad or section of heat tape is placed under one end of the enclosure to offer an opportunity for the snake to bask at temperatures of 90 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. The sub enclosure heat is left on 24 hours a day and the snakes are exposed to the natural photoperiod of South Central Ontario as no supplemental lighting is used.
    We consider the period from February to November as the pre breeding conditioning. During this time the pythons are fed weekly on pre killed rats of the appropriate size. Generally females are fed fairly heavily so that they accumulate substantial fat reserves, but are not visibly obese by winter. Males are generally fed more conservatively and are kept leaner as winter approaches.
    Through much research we established a general protocol for breeding carpet pythons (Hamper pers. comm., Zulich pers.comm., Gee pers. comm., and Barker pers comm.) In the beginning of November we stop feeding our coastal carpet pythons and in the middle of November, we begin turning off the subenclosure heating for a length of time corresponding to the lengthening hours of darkness. During this period from November 15 to February 1st , ambient room temperature is maintained between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Shortly after the winter cycle is begun, males are introduced into the female's enclosures weekly for two to three day periods. Copulations may be observed as early as the first introductions or may not occur until well into January. Copulations may continue well into February or March. Occasionally it has been necessary to expose two male Carpet Pythons to each other in order to stimulate breeding activity. We have used Carpet Pythons of different subspecies (cheynei) when males of the same subspecies were not available. When introduced male Carpet Pythons will engage in a ritualized combat. The combat involves the males trying to push the head of the other to the ground. Males will also resort to slashing bites and should not be left together unattended. We do not let a clear victor emerge from these introductions. It seems to be enough that they are exposed to each other for a short period. Females generally ovulate shortly before or shortly after the end of the winter cycling. For up to two weeks before the ovulation we have observed what we call "corkscrewing" in the females. "Corkscrewing" involves the female laying in tight coils and when the female is picked up she will maintain these coils. Ovulation is evidenced by a prominent mid body swelling and strange body contortions that last for 8 to 24 hours.
    After ovulation the female is gravid and the male is no longer introduced. At this time the female is provided with a basking spot reaching temperatures of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit 24 hours per day. Females generally complete a pre laying shed 21 days after ovulation. Females are provided with a nest box filled with moist sphagnum, and invariably lay their eggs in this box. The pre laying shed occurs approximately 30 days before oviposition. The eggs, which may number as many as fifty, should be removed from the female soon after laying. We leave the female with her eggs for up to 8 hours after oviposition is completed. This allows the egg mass to firm up into a cohesive mass. Through the observations of other keeper's methods we hypothesize that removing the eggs too quickly after laying may injure the delicate structures in the eggs and increase the chances fetal death.

    We incubate the eggs, which are generally adhered together, in slightly moistened vermiculite at a temperature of 88.5 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures the eggs will begin to hatch in 48 to 60 days. As hatching approaches the eggs will dimple noticeably and this can be disconcerting to an inexperienced hobbiest. It may take as long as five days for all the neonates to leave the eggs. One interesting observation I have made is that the first neonates to leave the eggs are almost invariably male.
    The hatchlings are best maintained is plastic shoebox size enclosures. Moistened paper towel should be used as a substrate and a small water bowl should be available at all times. Heat can be provided similarly to the adults by using heat tape under one end of the enclosure. Hatchlings generally shed two weeks after hatching and will begin feeding on live fuzzy or hopper mice within one to three months. Hatchling coastal carpet pythons may have a ferocious disposition or they may be very docile. Either way with gentle deliberate handling, the coastal carpet python can be one of the calmest pythons in captivity.
    Coastal carpet pythons are readily available in the pet trade and from specialist breeders and when properly maintained can be a very rewarding species to keep and breed.
 
By Clint Gilders
 
References Barker, D.G. and T.M. Barker. 1994. Pythons of the World, Volume One, Australia. The Herpetocultural Library.
 
Hoser, R.T.. 1989. Australian Reptiles and Frogs. Pierson and Company.