Carpet Python
Heat and Humidity
In their natural habitats Carpet Pythons will encounter a heat range of between 26C and 32C. The recommended hotspot for these animals is 30-31C (86-88f). As for ambient temperature, I would aim for around 27C (low 80's) as this will allow for correct thermo-regulation without the snake getting too cold. Humidity is a crucial role in keeping these animals happy and healthy, it allows for the animals to stay hydrated even when not drinking. And it allows for an easy and complete shed when shedding. A moist hide may be added around time of shedding in order to increase the humidity in a certain area, once again helping the animal to shed correctly. The humidity you will want to be aiming for is between 60% - 75%, very similar to Royal Pythons. Any long period of time outside this humidity zone could lead to respiratory problems such as URI. Carpet Pythons are also not technically nocturnal (out at night) in the wild they will be most active around dawn and dusk meaning they prefer to bask than have belly heat. This should play a role when considering what type of heating element you should use, notable mentions include spot lamps or ceramic bulbs.
Housing
Carpet Pythons appreciate space to climb, therefore this should play a factor when picking your enclosure. A 9L RUB will be sufficient as a hatchling, then proceeding into a 33L high RUB and finally an adult Vivarium. Such as a 5x2x2. This allows for good ground space while allowing the snake to have space to climb vertically. Carpet Pythons are less shy and timid than a Royal Python, therefore moving them into a bigger enclosure quicker should not cause too much stress on the animal, like it would a Royal Python. Carpet Pythons are also not technically nocturnal (out at night) in the wild they will be most active around dawn and dusk meaning they prefer to bask than have belly heat. This should play a role when considering where to put your heating element.
Substrate
For Carpet Pythons there are many different substrates available and that work well. Personally I use Beech chips (fine or coarse) off of Swell Reptiles, as I find it can hold moisture quite well, neutralizes odours, and is aesthetically pleasing. Reptile Bark, Forest Bark, Cypress Mulch and other reptile branded barks will do well. Even aspen seems to work well, however is prone to rot and mould when in contact to water for a while. Substrates do not have to be deep as Carpet Pythons are not a burrowing species.
Inside the enclosure
As Carpet Pythons are an arboreal species, climbing space is necessary. Therefore things such as branches, vines and other things of this nature must be provided to ensure Carpet Pythons have suitable space to climb and ultimately feel relaxed and comfortable in its environment. Two hides, one on the cool side and one on the warm side must also be provided along with a water dish. Many substrates work well (See above) and for heating a ceramic or an incandescent bulb can work well. I personally use a 75 Watt Exo Terra Heat Glo on a Habistat Dimming Thermostat. No other decoration is a must. However feel free to make your enclosure look as aesthetically pleasing as you want. Remember, the more you put in the less likely it is that your snake is going to get bored of its habitat. Carpet pythons are an active species, therefore changing around its enclosure weekly should ensure that your snake does not become restless in its habitat.
Feeding
Carpet Pythons are well known for being slow starters just after hatching, however with time they will usually start taking mouse or rat pinkies once a week reliably. Personally I used mice until my Carpet python was around 4ft long and was taking jumbo mice (around the same size has a small weaner rat) however I was easily able to switch him over to rats with no scenting or tricks necessary. Carpet pythons are considered to be a bigger python species, usually reaching around 6-7ft in length. Because of this a Jumbo rat should suffice most adults every 14 days, however in certain cases or large 9+ feet females young/small rabbits may be necessary. All food items should be offered with tongs or tweezers, this is to ensure that you do not get bitten and helps offer the snake the food. I myself have never really bothered with out of enclosure feeding and i wouldn't recommend it to anyone, i have done it myself and it doesn't decrease the likelihood of you getting tagged, and it doesn't help the snake either. The chance of impaction in healthy snakes is so low, that you needn't worry about it. Rodent size should be approximately the girth of the snake, possibly slightly larger, however too big and you run a risk of your snake regurgitating its meal.
Illnesses and behaviour
In their natural habitats Carpet Pythons will encounter a heat range of between 26C and 32C. The recommended hotspot for these animals is 30-31C (86-88f). As for ambient temperature, I would aim for around 27C (low 80's) as this will allow for correct thermo-regulation without the snake getting too cold. Humidity is a crucial role in keeping these animals happy and healthy, it allows for the animals to stay hydrated even when not drinking. And it allows for an easy and complete shed when shedding. A moist hide may be added around time of shedding in order to increase the humidity in a certain area, once again helping the animal to shed correctly. The humidity you will want to be aiming for is between 60% - 75%, very similar to Royal Pythons. Any long period of time outside this humidity zone could lead to respiratory problems such as URI. Carpet Pythons are also not technically nocturnal (out at night) in the wild they will be most active around dawn and dusk meaning they prefer to bask than have belly heat. This should play a role when considering what type of heating element you should use, notable mentions include spot lamps or ceramic bulbs.
Housing
Carpet Pythons appreciate space to climb, therefore this should play a factor when picking your enclosure. A 9L RUB will be sufficient as a hatchling, then proceeding into a 33L high RUB and finally an adult Vivarium. Such as a 5x2x2. This allows for good ground space while allowing the snake to have space to climb vertically. Carpet Pythons are less shy and timid than a Royal Python, therefore moving them into a bigger enclosure quicker should not cause too much stress on the animal, like it would a Royal Python. Carpet Pythons are also not technically nocturnal (out at night) in the wild they will be most active around dawn and dusk meaning they prefer to bask than have belly heat. This should play a role when considering where to put your heating element.
Substrate
For Carpet Pythons there are many different substrates available and that work well. Personally I use Beech chips (fine or coarse) off of Swell Reptiles, as I find it can hold moisture quite well, neutralizes odours, and is aesthetically pleasing. Reptile Bark, Forest Bark, Cypress Mulch and other reptile branded barks will do well. Even aspen seems to work well, however is prone to rot and mould when in contact to water for a while. Substrates do not have to be deep as Carpet Pythons are not a burrowing species.
Inside the enclosure
As Carpet Pythons are an arboreal species, climbing space is necessary. Therefore things such as branches, vines and other things of this nature must be provided to ensure Carpet Pythons have suitable space to climb and ultimately feel relaxed and comfortable in its environment. Two hides, one on the cool side and one on the warm side must also be provided along with a water dish. Many substrates work well (See above) and for heating a ceramic or an incandescent bulb can work well. I personally use a 75 Watt Exo Terra Heat Glo on a Habistat Dimming Thermostat. No other decoration is a must. However feel free to make your enclosure look as aesthetically pleasing as you want. Remember, the more you put in the less likely it is that your snake is going to get bored of its habitat. Carpet pythons are an active species, therefore changing around its enclosure weekly should ensure that your snake does not become restless in its habitat.
Feeding
Carpet Pythons are well known for being slow starters just after hatching, however with time they will usually start taking mouse or rat pinkies once a week reliably. Personally I used mice until my Carpet python was around 4ft long and was taking jumbo mice (around the same size has a small weaner rat) however I was easily able to switch him over to rats with no scenting or tricks necessary. Carpet pythons are considered to be a bigger python species, usually reaching around 6-7ft in length. Because of this a Jumbo rat should suffice most adults every 14 days, however in certain cases or large 9+ feet females young/small rabbits may be necessary. All food items should be offered with tongs or tweezers, this is to ensure that you do not get bitten and helps offer the snake the food. I myself have never really bothered with out of enclosure feeding and i wouldn't recommend it to anyone, i have done it myself and it doesn't decrease the likelihood of you getting tagged, and it doesn't help the snake either. The chance of impaction in healthy snakes is so low, that you needn't worry about it. Rodent size should be approximately the girth of the snake, possibly slightly larger, however too big and you run a risk of your snake regurgitating its meal.
Illnesses and behaviour