Carpet Pythons: Australia’s Sssensational Snakes!

Carpet Python by David Clode on Unsplash

With their beautiful patterns, incredible hunting skills, and gentle nature, these non-venomous snakes play a vital role in keeping ecosystems balanced. Let’s slither into some amazing facts about carpet pythons.

1. They Are Masters of Disguise!

Carpet pythons get their name from their unique patterns, which look like woven carpets. Their colours range from olive green and brown to gold and black, helping them blend perfectly into their surroundings—whether in trees, rocky outcrops, or people’s sheds!

2. They Can Grow Super Long!

Carpet pythons are among Australia’s largest snakes, growing 2 to 4 metres long. The biggest recorded carpet python was over 4 metres! Despite their size, they are excellent climbers and can often be found resting in trees or rafters.

3. They Are Excellent Hunters!

Carpet pythons use their heat-sensing pits to detect warm-blooded prey like rats, possums, birds, and even the occasional chicken! Instead of using venom, they strike quickly, wrap their powerful bodies around their prey, and squeeze until it can’t breathe—this is called constriction.

4. They Are Loving Mothers!

Unlike most snakes, female carpet pythons care for their eggs! After laying 10 to 50 eggs, the mother coils around them and shivers to keep them warm until they hatch—about two months later. Once the babies hatch, they are independent and must hunt for themselves!

5. They Can Go Months Without Eating!

Carpet pythons have slow metabolisms, meaning they don’t need to eat often. A large python can survive on just a few big meals per year! After a big feast, they find a safe spot to rest while they digest their food, which can take weeks.

6. What Do They Do in the Heat?

In the Australian summer, carpet pythons seek cool, shaded areas to avoid overheating. You might find them in hollow logs, under houses, or even in garden sheds. Unlike some reptiles, they don’t hibernate, but in colder months, they become much less active.

7. They Are Harmless to Humans!

Despite their large size, carpet pythons are non-venomous and rarely bite unless they feel threatened. In fact, they help humans by keeping rodent populations under control! If you ever see one in your yard, there’s no need to panic—just admire it from a safe distance.

Carpet pythons are truly amazing creatures, playing an important role in Australia’s environment. So next time you spot one basking in the sun or curled up in a tree, remember—they’re just another part of our incredible wildlife!

Want to learn more about Australia’s amazing animals? Check out our Wild About Wildlife activity book for fun facts, puzzles, and coloring pages!