Need Some Advice From Carpet Python Owners!

[mainbutter]

*Could a carpet python be housed in a 40 gallon breeder tank?
Depending on it's adult size.. yes. Even some coastals (typically a larger subspecies) can be smaller as adults, some IJs (typically a smaller subspecies) can get large enough you'd want a 4x2 floorspace. I'd plan on needing to buy a pvc cage down the line.

*What is the most docile subspecies/most managable
None. I've seen only mild anecdotal and contradictory evidence regarding subspecies tendencies towards disposition and personality. IMO a carpet python is a carpet python when it comes to what its personality might be down the road. The one standard is that hatchlings are small and easily scared and adults much less so. All are typically active handlers and pretty darn smart and alert as far as pythons go.

*Are there any quirks or care tips I should know?
Excluding diamond carpet pythons, these guys have extremely standard python care and are surprisingly tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and seasons. Diamonds and high % diamond crosses seem to thrive better with cooler summer temperatures and surprisingly cold winter temperatures compared to the other subspecies.

*Favorite carpet morph?
The world's best diamond jungle jaguars are just stunning to my eyes, but to be honest, my favorite carpets aren't always "morphs". Ridiculously-tipped yellow and black diamonds and diamond crosses are a favorite of mine, but the true prize for me would be one of the Brisbane-line coastals that Nick Mutton and a handful of other lucky fellows have. It's incredibly hard to find the standard patternless-headed coastals outside of Australia, and that particular line is the best of the best.

*Approx. price range?
$50 for (relatively) ugly animals that usually have no lineage, are often crosses, and shouldn't be bred

$200-600 gets you access to plenty of great animals and great breeding projects of all varieties, including some morphs.

Just like ball pythons however, the stuff you're going to really drool over will run you more than just a couple of benjies. The first albinos offered in the US probably went for 10k or so.

Just so you know, carpet pythons are NOT something where there is a "current market value" for a given morph. At any given point in time, one guy's 75% jungle jags might not be selling at $500 a pop while another guy's 75% jungle jags are sold out with a price tag of $1200.. and it's pretty much always because the more expensive ones come from better looking parents. Selective breeding means so much more to moreliageeks than trying to take a jaguar, a zebra, and an albino and take a few generations to make albino zebra jags. Like I said, my favorite carpet pythons at this point in time (which I would pay more for than any other) is "just" a fantastic looking normal.