Murray Darling Carpet Python

Morelia spilota metcalfei

The Murray-Darling Carpet Python occupies a variety of habitats in and around the Murray-Darling drainage basin. Numbers of this species have declined since the arrival of Europeans due to land-clearing, illegal poaching and introduced predators.

You can help the Murray Darling Carpet Python

In order to find out more about the distribution and numbers of this rare species, Landscape SA Murraylands and Riverland are calling on members of the community to log their Murray-Darling Carpet Python sightings using this online form.

Your contributions will play a valuable role in helping to conserve this native species, and the habitat it relies on.

Dianne and Adrian from Animals Anonymous are super proud to be playing a role in a current study to track and monitor these important animals in their natural habitat.

Close-up of a snake with patterned black, gray, and white scales, resting on a forest floor with dried leaves and small twigs.

Fun Facts!

  • They can grow up to around three metres in length

  • They sometimes are found in the eastern parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges including Truro and Strathalbyn

  • Many property owners appreciate having them in their hay sheds etc as they help control mice, rats and even rabbits

  • Females can lay between 20-50 eggs which they incubate by wrapping their bodies around them

  • Like most pythons they will eat birds, mammals and reptiles, catching them with their mouth and many sharp teeth, then suffocating them with their coils

  • These nocturnal hunters have perfect camouflage to blend into their habitats

  • The Murray-Darling Carpet Python is bred in captivity and makes a fantastic family pet if cared for correctly

  • Like many pythons, they can detect warm blooded prey like birds and mammals, with the infrared sensing pits on their lower lips

Pythons as pets

If you’re thinking about getting your first pet python there are some great resources available.

We highly recommend the online python husbandry courses by Steve and Zita Crawford as well as their books; ‘Choosing your First Snake’ and ‘Pythons: Captive Care & Husbandry’.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you!

Please fill out the contact form and we will endeavor to get back to you within 24 hrs.

We reply several times per day. If you haven’t received a reply, please check your junk/spam folder.

Thank you!

Close-up of a barn owl with black eyes and a heart-shaped face, showing detailed feathers on its head and body, set against a blurred natural background.
A close-up of a Quoll, sitting on a wooden surface against a black background, with its mouth slightly open showing small sharp teeth.