Gold Coast Wildlife - Carpet Python
December 30th 2008 06:56
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Growing to up to three metres in length, carpet pythons (Morelia spilota variegata) may be active by day or night. They prey mainly on warm blooded animals including possums, rats, fruit bats and birds, as well as domestic poultry, cats and even small dogs.
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Carpet pythons lay between one and three dozen eggs, and the juveniles must fend for themselves as soon as they hatch. Wild specimens, and particularly nesting females, can be aggressive when threatened. Their bite is non venomous but the teeth can cause lacerations and a tetanus shot is advisable if bitten.
Hand reared carpet pythons are more docile and can make good pets. They do not take much room, make no noise and require no exercise. They can be left unattended for days at a time as they only require feeding once a week during summer and even less during winter.
Frozen rats, mice and pinkies are available from pet supply stores but some snakes will only eat live prey. In Queensland a Recreational Wildlife License is required to keep snakes and can be obtained from the Queensland governments Environmental Protection Agency.
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