Coastal Carpet Python

Significance to Humans:

Non-Venomous
Bites may cause substantial lacerations or punctures.

General description:

Large, heavy bodied snake with a highly variable, mottled & blotched pattern and color. Mostly white to cream on the underside. Head is distinct from the neck. Deeply pitted scales (infralabials) along bottom jaw and to a lesser extent the upper jaw (supralabials) with small "granular scattered scales on top of the head. Midbody scales in 40 - 60 rows.

Average Length:

Around 2.1 metres but large specimens exceed 3 meters. Largest reliable record at 4.2 metres in length.

Habitat in SE Qld:

Occupies all habitats from rainforest, wet sclerophyll forests and dry woodland through to suburban backyards and the periphery of highly disturbed farmland.

General habits:

Most commonly encountered snake within the region. Active day and night. Large specimens can take small suburban pets such as dogs, cats and guinea pigs with smaller specimens taking caged birds.

Diet:

Mostly mammals such as rodents, possums etc; also some reptiles, birds & frogs

Local distribution:

Common across all Gold Coast suburbs, however areas close to reserves, parklands and wildlife corridors hinterland areas may experience more sightings compared to other areas. Suburbs in which carpet pythons have commonly been removed from include Mudgeeraba, Coomera, Currumbin, Burleigh Heads, Ashmore, Pacific Pines, Oxenford, Nerang and Gaven.

Around the home:

Will utilise all above ground environs such as roof and wall cavities, exposed beams of verandahs and pergolas, sheds and garages. Often resides in the heavy foliage of trees and shrubs. At ground level will utilize dense vegetation, miscellaneous large ground litter such as stored building materials and accumulated garden debris.

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