Carpet Pythons

Carpet pythons have a very complex and diverse range within the species. With multiple different sister species, and sub species in this complex, and even today they are going through different reclassifications within the sub species/sister species complex. With there being so many sub species and sister species being in this complex. I won’t be able to go over too much natural history with these guys and more so go over the different sub species within this complex.

The carpet complex has a very wide range stretching throughout most of the outskirts of Australia. As far north as Darwin stretching throughout outskirts southwestern Australia all the way to southeastern Australia and all the way up the East, up to Cape York Peninsula. With small scattered populations in Papuan New Guinea.

Papuan carpet python: they were also formerly known as Irian Jaya carpet python or IJ’s for short (Morelia spilota harrisoni). These guys are the only member of the carpet complex to exist outside of Australia. They can range anywhere from 1.3 – 1.6 meters in length. Regional colour variations can include bright yellow, gold, rust and clear greys. There are a few mutations with these guys being granite and Axanthic. As stated previously they are the only member of the Carpet complex that live outside of Australia New Guinea (Western New Guinea and Papua New Guinea).

northwestern carpet python: also referred to as Darwin carpet python (Morelia spilota variegata). They can range anywhere from 1.3 – 2 meters in length. They are typically banded pattern in their appearance, Regional colour variations can include bright yellow, gold, rust and clear greys. These guys are probably more known for the albinism mutation. They range from northwestern Western Australia and in the northern portion of the Northern Territory.

Jungle carpet python: jungle carpet python (Morelia spilota cheynei). There is some debate on rather or not, that this is a valid subspecies, or just a locality of coastal carpet python (Morelia spilota mcdowelli). Genetic testing seems to validate leaning more towards locality. They range anywhere from 1.3 – 1.9 meters in length. The one mutation they have is the zebra mutation which is a very heavily pattern mutation giving them more of a zebra’s striped look, with a super form being a patternless yellow mustard color. They also have tons of selectively bred specimens out there. Regional color variations can include brown, tan, and black markings. Jungle carpet pythons come from a couple of very small regions of tropical northeast Queensland Australia. places such as Tully Gorge, Mission Beach, Palmerston, Julatten, and Atherton Tablelands are some of the main localities you hear about when researching these sub-species.

Coastal carpet python: coastal carpet python (Morelia spilota mcdowelli). One of the most variable in colors/patterns and size, then all the other Morelia complex. They can range anywhere from 1.3 – 2.5 meters in length. Coastal carpet pythons have quite a few mutations. Caramel, hypo, Axanthic, & Jaguar. Regional color variations can include olive, dark or light green, brown, rust, tan, and even black. They are widespread in Australia in eastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales.

Inland carpet python: also referred to as Murray Darling carpet (Morelia spilota metcalfei). There is some debate on whether the sub-species could be elevated to full species status. They can range anywhere from 1.3 – 1.8 meters in length. There are no current mutations of the subspecies in the US, but there is one in Australia known as the silver peppered inland. They have beautiful black banding on a bluish-gray background. they are found through the Murray Darling basin throughout much of the interior of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and northwest Victoria.

Diamond python: Diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota) This is the most southern-ranging species of any python in the world. They can range anywhere from 1.5 – 2.2 meters in length. There is only one mutation to my knowledge and it is referred to as a stardust. The diamond python is a snake that has yellow or cream scales that form “rosettes” on its body and tail. The underside is white, cream, or even yellowish in color, but it is often spotted with black. They are found in the southern coastal regions of New South Wales and Victoria.

Bredl’s Python: also known as Centralian pythons (Morelia bredli) this is not a member of the spilota complex it’s, its own full species. They can range anywhere from 1.6 – 2.5 meters in length. There are a handful of mutations to these guys’ hypo, genetic stripe, and stonewash. The color pattern consists of a brown to reddish ground color with a highly variable pattern of pale intrusions. There are normally black borders around the intrusions that become more extensive around the tail. As it’s name implies, the Centralian pythons are found in the center of Australia. Their range encompasses Alice Springs and the surrounding areas of the MacDonnell ranges of central Australia.

Southwestern python: southwestern python (Morelia imbricata) these are another python species that are not a member of the spilota complex, and currently are none in the US private hands. They can range anywhere from 1.6 – 2.3 meters in length. Their appearance is normally a brown base color with irregular lighter-colored markings. Imbricata is found in all the regions of Southwest Australia and it goes as far east as the Eyre Peninsula.

My collection: I am currently working with most of the Morelia complex, other than previously stated in Morelia Imbricata, and also working with a handful of morphs within the Morelia complex as well.