Last Updated: 30/05/2025

Carpet and Diamond Pythons Guide

A complete guide for keeping Morelia spilota, Carpet and Diamond pythons in Australia

Author: Dr Nicole Wynne BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

Reading Time: 13 minutes - short read

Carpet and Diamond pythons are great snakes for the intermediate keeper that has already successfully kept smaller pythons like Stimson's and Children's pythons, and are looking for more of a challenge! Carpet and Diamond pythons are the same species, with Diamond pythons being a subspecies - Morelia spilota spilota. There are several other subspecies of carpet python:

Jungle carpet python - Morelia spilota cheynei
Coastal carpet python - Morelia spilota mcdowelli
Inland carpet python - Morelia spilota metcalfei
Darwin carpet python - Morelia spilota variegata

Many pet carpet pythons may be hybrids of two or more different subspecies, which is not a problem for pet snakes. However, breeding animals should have more controlled lineages, and the parentage of any breeding animals should be known.

Carpet pythons can grow up to 4 metres long and weigh 15 kg! The average adult length is about 2 metres, and females tend to get larger than males. Genetics also plays a part in the adult size of carpet pythons, with the Coastal subspecies being the largest, and the Darwin subspecies the smallest.

While carpet pythons are commonly kept as pets, they require some experience due to their size, strength, and temperament. Many carpet pythons are docile and easy to handle, but they can also be aggressive and difficult to handle depending on the individual. Females are more likely to be difficult to handle, and they also grow larger than males. These snakes can be very strong when fully grown, and although they are not venomous, their razor-sharp teeth can cause serious injury, so ensure that you are ready for a carpet python before committing to one.

Their size also means that an appropriate enclosure for an adult needs to be at least 150 cm long, 60 cm tall, and 100 cm wide. While juvenile snakes certainly can be kept in a smaller enclosure, always factor their adult size into account when planning, and smaller snakes can be kept in larger enclosures as long as there is no risk of escape. Hatchlings can be kept in plastic containers inside large enclosures.

Reptile Licensing Requirements in Australia

All pet reptiles require a reptile keeping licence in Australia, and these differ from state to state, so ensure that you check your local requirements before getting any pet reptile. For Carpet and Diamond pythons, the licensing requirements are generally aimed towards beginner and intermediate keepers.

NSW - Companion Animal Keeper's Licence

ACT - Nature Conservation Act Licence

VIC - Wildlife Basic Licence

WA - Fauna Pet Keepers Licence

TAS - Illegal for private keepers in Tasmania

QLD - Standard Recreational Wildlife Licence

NT - Permit to Keep Protected or Prohibited Wildlife

SA - No licence required for just one Morelia spp. python, Basic Licence otherwise.

Facts and FAQs About Carpet and Diamond Pythons

Preparing for your Carpet or Diamond Python

After getting your licence, the next step is putting together an enclosure for your python. Read through our checklist below for the supplies you'll need.

Carpet and Diamond Python Supplies Checklist

Glass tank
Plastic storage container with ventilation holes for transport
Substrate
Hides and other furniture, such as big climbing branches
Water dish
Feeding tongs
Appropriately sized frozen feeder mice or rats
Enclosure cleaner
Heat source
UV light
Thermostat
An appointment at an exotics vet

Shop Python Supplies

Heating

Thermostats and Thermometers

Lighting

Furniture

Substrate

Feeding Accessories

Hygiene and Clean Up

Caring for Your Carpet or Diamond Python

Now that you've set up your enclosure, most of the hard work is done! The next thing to do is allow your snake to settle in and relax. In this time, make a booking with an exotics or reptile vet, as an initial checkup is important to ensure that everything is set up appropriately, and that your snake doesn't have any issues to look out for. The veterinarian will perform a full physical examination of your snake, and if you don't know the gender, they will be able to perform probe sexing to tell you if your snake is male or female.

Finally, the most important thing to remember when starting your reptile-keeping journey - enjoy! Reptiles are unique, interesting pets that have a lot of joy to give, and individuals will develop their own special personalities as time goes on. Pythons are rewarding pets, and the Carpet and Diamond pythons are majestic, impressive animals as adults.

History

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Mon May 23 2022

Written by Dr Nicole Wynne BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

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About the Author

Dr Nicole Wynne BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

Veterinarian, MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)

Dr. Nicole graduated from Murdoch University in WA in 2014, and immediately started working in exotics-only practice. She was also one of the few vets in Australia that would routinely see venomous snakes ranging from death adders to tiger snakes. Although Dr. Nicole enjoys seeing all exotic pets, her absolute favourite are rabbits. She passed her Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Membership (MANZCVS) exam in unusual and exotic pets in 2021.

Jungle carpet python - Morelia spilota cheynei
Coastal carpet python - Morelia spilota mcdowelli
Inland carpet python - Morelia spilota metcalfei
Darwin carpet python - Morelia spilota variegata

Carpet and Diamond Pythons Guide

In this article

Reptile Licensing Requirements in Australia

Facts and FAQs About Carpet and Diamond Pythons

Preparing for your Carpet or Diamond Python

Carpet and Diamond Python Supplies Checklist