- Family: Pythonidae
- Adult Size: Large specimens growing to 4 or 5 feet in length and weighing 2 to 3 pounds.
- Range: Coastal Queensland, Australia.
- Habitat: Found across its range, the spotted python prefers rock piles.
- Captive Lifespan: More than 20 Years
- Care Level: Beginner
The spotted python requires clean enclosures with good ventilation. Most snakes will climb if branches or platforms are provided. Hide boxes should also be provided. All captive snakes require fresh water to drink in bowls made of nonporous materials.
As a general rule, most pythons and boas will do fine in temperatures ranging between 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at night. It's a good idea to provide a basking spot 5 to 7 degrees warmer than the rest of the cage that the snake can voluntarily choose to enjoy.
Spotted pythons make excellent captives: they typically feed avidly on mice for their entire lives, their minimum cage requirement as adults can be a 20-gallon aquarium, they readily breed in captivity and are easy snakes to handle and maintain.