Carpet python - description, where it lives, features

Snakes related to carpet pythons are one of the smallest among similar representatives. Despite its small size, carpet python is a rather dangerous snake. He has the strength to strangle his victim, and then launch sharp teeth into his flesh. True exotic lovers are eager to place such pythons at home.

general description

This snake, in fact, is a real dwarf. However, grace and beauty not to occupy it. Its mass usually does not exceed 3 kilograms. This name was not given to her by chance, since its surface resembles something of an oriental carpet. Scientific minds call her Morelia Spilota. In some sources, you can find the name rhombic python.

If you translate the first word of its Latin name, you can get such epithets as a simpleton, a slow sludge. In all likelihood, this is determined by the shape of its muzzle. She looks surprised and a little silly. Although this species is a dwarf among its analogues, but its length can reach 2 meters. Coloring can take a caramel or brown shade with a predominance of light colors. The pattern in the form of spots and stripes clearly contrasts with the general background. This is due to its habitat. Being in the wild, such a python is absolutely invisible to the human eye, it literally merges with its surroundings.

Variety of species

Australians call such pythons tiled. This is due to the fact that the location of its scales is really like a tile. The presence of randomly scattered spots on the surface allows the snake to camouflage itself well in shrubs. The mass of this species is usually not more than 1 kg, and the length rarely exceeds 190 cm.

Habitats determine the presence of six subspecies of this snake:

1. The smallest is the subspecies related to diamond pythons. In its coloring there are all the colors of the rainbow, it literally shimmers with them. Basically, it can be found in the terrarium, since in the wild it can be observed very rarely, and then in territories that are very limited in size. Basically, the length of this subspecies does not exceed 280 cm. The record length is fixed at around 310 cm.
2. McDowell. For such pythons, the presence of pastel tones is characteristic in color. The pattern is characterized by the absence of dark tones. Such snakes are quite large. Representatives of this subspecies can reach a length of 2.5 meters.
   Medklafa. Such carpet pythons can reach a length of 190 cm. They live on the territory of Victoria, South Wales and the Australian continent.
3. Cheney. Belongs to the most common subspecies of carpet pythons, which can be found when kept in captivity. Their attractiveness is due to the wonderful yellow color, against which one can observe a chaotic spread of black spots. With the help of these spots, a bizarre pattern is formed. Such a snake has a very spectacular appearance. The length of most individuals does not exceed 2 meters. Such pythons lend themselves well to taming. If you carefully examine the head of the snake, then on it you can see the outlines similar to the skull.
4. Variegata. This subspecies refers to variegated, or as it is often called iridescent pythons. They differ in significant size. In length, they can reach 2.5 meters. Coloring is light in nature, with the presence of dark spots. As they grow older, these spots become less noticeable, as if they fade.
5. In the forests of the state of Guinea and in the territory of faraway Australia, you can find a New Guinean carpet snake. She prefers to be near water bodies. At birth, they have a reddish or brown color. As they mature, they acquire a stunning yellow color. The surface of the body is covered with various sizes of spots. When they merge, the outlines take on the character of Chinese characters.

The classification of pythons implies the presence of these basic species. By nature, pythons are predators who do not take cruelty and mind. This exotic pet when maintaining a home is a little dangerous, although the content itself is not difficult.

Wildlife behavior

These snakes are characterized by the secrecy of their lifestyle. Python is a real hunter. He seeks his prey in the swamps, in places located near water bodies. You will never meet him in the desert, but in an area with a large number of trees he is found quite often, because it crawls through the trees just fine.

The snake awaits its victim in ambush. They pick up various odors with a forked tongue. A python jumps out of its hiding place at the speed of lightning. He strangles his prey, wrapping himself tightly around it. His sharp teeth give him great help in this. However, python is not a poisonous snake. Oh just bites the victim in order to kill her.

When the victim dies, the python swallows it. It takes up to 8 days to digest food. But the term may be longer. It depends on the ambient temperature. The lower it is, the more time is required. If the temperature drops below 25 degrees, the snake becomes cold. She tries in every possible way to warm herself, intensively contracting her muscles.

Carpet pythons not only crawl well on trees, but can also hang on them for a long time. A well-developed tenacious tail helps them in this action. The snake is by nature a great swimmer. These snakes attack humans extremely rarely. If a python crawls into a person’s dwelling, it’s only to hunt mice and rats.

The lifespan of carpet pythons is 15-17 years. If in captivity the snake creates favorable conditions, then it is able to live up to 25 years.

Nature of the diet

Under no circumstances will the plant diet suit this representative of the serpent kingdom, since they are carnivorous representatives of the fauna. Often the prey is larger than the python's head. But the python can open its mouth very widely.

The presence of natural enemies

Propagation Features

The python has a rudiment in the form of a process at the place where the hind legs should be located. During courtship, the male rubs him against the female. Fertilization is carried out by anal spurs. Then the female lays eggs. Their number depends on the ambient temperature. After laying, the female does not leave eggs for a minute.

The incubation period is 2 months. The length of the representatives of the emerging offspring is 50 cm. From birth, the pets have complete independence and may well take care of themselves. For their nutrition, they use frogs and small lizards. Puberty occurs at the age of 5 years, sometimes a little earlier.

Video: Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota Cheynei)