Native Range
Australia & New Guinea
Carpet pythons occupy one of the largest natural ranges of any python species, found across nearly all of mainland Australia, the island of New Guinea, and parts of eastern Indonesia. This vast range encompasses dramatically different climates and biomes — from tropical rainforest to dry eucalyptus woodland to coastal scrub.
The species has diversified into multiple distinct subspecies, each adapted to its local environment. The jungle carpet (Morelia spilota cheynei) lives in the wet rainforests of north Queensland; the coastal carpet (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) thrives in eastern Australia's coastal forests; the Darwin carpet (Morelia spilota variegata) inhabits the tropical north — and so on across the species' range.
Climate
Variable by locality
Behavior
Wild life
Carpet pythons are primarily nocturnal hunters, becoming active at dusk and remaining so through the night. By day they coil tightly in tree hollows, rock crevices, or dense vegetation. They are excellent climbers but also forage on the ground, particularly when targeting rodent burrows. Females lay eggs and famously brood them, coiling around the clutch and shivering to maintain incubation temperature — one of the most remarkable behaviors in the python world.
Conservation Status
Stable but watched
As a species, Morelia spilota is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN — they remain abundant across most of their range. However, several subspecies face localized pressures from habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution. Responsible captive breeding plays a meaningful role in reducing demand on wild populations and educating keepers on the species' value.