Carpet Python (Axanthic het. Granite Irian Jaya)

Morelia spilota harrisoni
Common Names: Carpet Python, Irian Jaya Carpet Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adults typically grow to 5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 m), with a more slender and manageable build than other carpet python subspecies.

• Appearance:

  • Normal Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons have rich browns and tans with darker banding, giving them an earthy camouflage appearance.

  • Axanthic (recessive – visual): Lacks yellow pigment, producing a monochrome grey, black, and silver snake.

  • Granite (recessive): A pattern mutation that creates a highly fragmented, “granite-like” speckled appearance.

  • This individual is a visual Axanthic and heterozygous for Granite, meaning it carries but does not display the Granite gene.

• Distribution: Native to New Guinea and surrounding islands, specifically the Indonesian province of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya).

• Habitat: Inhabits rainforests, savannah edges, and agricultural zones, making use of both ground cover and climbing structures.

• Behaviour: A semi-arboreal constrictor, feeding on birds, mammals, and reptiles. They are agile and alert, often perching to ambush prey.

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Adults thrive in 4–6 ft enclosures with climbing branches, perches, and secure hides. A naturalistic, enriched setup encourages natural behaviours.

• Temperature & Humidity: Provide a basking spot of 88–90°F (31–32°C) with an ambient gradient down to 75–78°F (24–26°C). Humidity should be maintained at 50–70%, rising slightly during shedding.

• Diet: Juveniles feed well on hopper mice every 5–7 days; adults do best on medium rats every 10–14 days. They are generally enthusiastic feeders.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Captive-bred Irian Jayas are known for being hardy and reliable, though juveniles may be defensive. With consistent handling, most mature into calm captives.

• Special Considerations: They thrive in semi-arboreal enclosures, and enrichment such as climbing structures and varied perch heights is highly recommended.

Genetics Note

• Axanthic (Recessive – Visual): Removes yellow pigment, leaving a greyscale colouration.

• Granite (Recessive – Heterozygous): Carried genetically but not expressed visually. If bred to another Granite carrier, a portion of the offspring could express the trait.

• Combination Potential: Pairing Axanthic with Granite can produce striking black, white, and patterned offspring, highly prized in Carpet Python projects.

The Carpet Python (Axanthic het. Granite Irian Jaya) combines the sleek grey-and-black Axanthic look with the genetic potential of Granite, making it both visually appealing and valuable for future breeding projects.