I want a new snake...help

[mainbutter]

Carpet pythons are by far my favorite species.

I'd say the available information on them is a bit more complicated than ball pythons, but that really is simply because there is more to them than ball pythons. There are numerous localities and subspecies, subspecies-specific morphs, designer intergrades/mutts, etc. that makes the term "carpet python" a bit more general than the term "ball python" in describing a particular animal. In fact one separate species Morelia bredli used to be called "centralian carpet python" or "bredli carpet python" before being raised to species status, so you could argue that the term "carpet python" in fact covers multiple separate species.

IN GENERAL* they are easy to care for, great eaters, and tolerant of wider temperature and humidity ranges than many other species in the family Pythonidae. They are regularly bred all over the US and Europe, as export from Australia has been illegal since the 70s. I have no personal experience with breeding this species yet, but I would say that the regularity with which they are bred with suggests that this species is fairly easy to breed.

As far as aggression goes.. hatchlings are known to be nippy, and adults are known to be decently active but gentle and super easy to handle. From my limited experience, I'd say that young carpet python nippiness is overrated, and they are much more reluctant to bite than their reputation suggests. I've never been bitten by a carpet python, although I have one particular 2010 who would likely tag me if I gave him the opportunity. I handle my biggest guy very regularly, and he does well even being handled by people with little to no snake experience.

Size depends on many factors, in particular locality and subspecies. Carpets are known for being long and slender, so although some individuals attain impressive lengths, keep in mind that they are probably much more manageable than you realize, and weight is a pretty important factor to consider besides just overall length. The Irian Jaya subspecies is fairly small, while diamonds and coastals regularly top 8 foot once they get some years behind them. Jungle carpet pythons have potential for size, as I've seen pictures of multiple 9 footers, but they seem to be fairly rare. My 6+ foot male coastal weighs less than 10 lbs, but older and heavily fed (i.e. obese) female coastals have topped 30 lbs and more. Many of the US stock of coastals tends to be a more northern variety that lack the substantial size that the southern variants are known for and give coastals their reputation for growing large for carpet pythons.

My first suggestion is to do a LOT of reading. Hit up google, read ALL the carpet python threads on this forum dating back two years. Go make an account at moreliapythons.com which is a great herp forum that particularly gets a ton of carpet python traffic. There is an abundance of information on this species, but that is because there is a ton to learn. For a relatively easy medium sized snake to keep, they are surprisingly varied and complex.

*diamond carpet pythons require more specialized care than the other common subspecies.