JUngle Carpet Pythons
About Jungle Carpet Pythons
Area of origin: Australia
Adult size: 5-9ft
Captive lifespan: 20+ years
To see the setup for my own Jungle Carpet Python, Mopani, check out this video!
Housing, heating & lighting
Enclosure
Jungle Carpet Pythons, or JCPs as we’ll call them going forward, are long, slender snakes. They’re semi arboreal, so you want to provide your JCP with an arboreal enclosure that’s as tall as it is wide. The reason for the height and length is to cater for your snake no matter whether they prefer to spend the day on the ground, or cruising around off the floor. Youngsters can be kept in a 3 x 2 x 2ft enclosure while they are growing, whilst juveniles and young adults will appreciate a 4 x 2 x 4ft space. Larger adults require a bit more room- in fact, as much space as possible. These snakes tend not to be shy, so you will often see your JCP out basking during the day and then exploring every inch of the enclosure at night. The more space- the happier the snake.
Now, what do we do with all that space? Of course, we fill it with things to climb on, perch on, hide under and behind. Strong, sturdy branches are a must. If you find any that are forked, you’ve hit the jackpot as it’ll make a great basking perch for your JCP. Ground hides are necessary and at least two should be provided, one on either end of the enclosure. Using lots of foliage, artificial or otherwise, also provides your snake with that extra option for canopy hideouts.
Substrate wise, a mix of coir, orchid bark, and mosses helps to maintain a good humidity level. You’re aiming for 50-60% with a slight increase to 60-70% when your snake is in shed.
Heating
JCPs are natural baskers, so heat must come from above. I choose to use ceramic heat emitters paired with a pulse proportional thermostat. The basking spot itself should not be on the ground, instead have some well placed branches providing a perch half way to three quarters up the enclosure. The temperature of the basking spot should be between 32-35°C.
Ambient, and floor temperatures, should range from 22°C on the cooler end of the enclosure, moving up to 28°C on the warmer end. It’s very natural for a JCP to need to climb to warm up, so your heat gradient will move in two directions, floor to ceiling and left to right.
Lighting
Jungle Carpet Pythons must be provided with a day/night cycle. You can certainly offer your snake UVB lighting- I’ve opted for a 6% UVB flood lamp, and the rest of the enclosure is lit with LEDs. This way, a UV zone is offered but not forced, so the snake can move in and out as they see fit. Make sure they lights are on a timer so your snake has a routine they can become familiar with.
Feeding & handling
Feeding
Feeding your JCP can be quite the experience! They’re fast, agile, and don’t usually miss the mark! JCPs are happiest when fed regularly as youngsters, and as they age, feedings can be spread out to every 2 weeks. For the first couple of years, however, weekly feedings are they way to go for these active snakes. They can be a little fussy once they’ve got the taste for a particular meal, so I recommend feeding them prey you intend to continue with throughout their life. JCPs do get large in some cases, so rats are the preferred diet.
Handling
Handling is key with JCPs. The youngsters can be rather feisty and will strike out as a warning. Using gloves, or a hook to handle your young snake will help them to understand you mean no harm and they will soon relax and enjoy handling sessions. Being such active snakes, handling provides extra enrichment- allowing them to climb and explore in new surroundings. JCPs are fast when they want to be, so do make sure they’re in a safe space when out for handling.
Being so long and slender, they can feel a bit nervous if their body is not properly supported, so make sure they can wrap their tail around your hand or arm while you support their body.