Snakes
Spotted python care guide
Antaresia maculosa
A slightly larger Antaresia (3–4 ft) that climbs readily and feeds eagerly.
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Spotted python enclosure size
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing. An adult spotted python should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 24" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 24" H (4 × 2 × 2 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 120-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 84–88°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Night
- No lower than 70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 50–60%. Water bowl and a humid hide.
Substrate and depth
Aspen, cypress mulch or a soil/sand mix. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Frozen-thawed mice every 7–10 days for juveniles, every 10–14 days for adults.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Spotted python FAQ
How big should an adult Spotted python enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 24" H — about 4 × 2 × 2 ft, or a 120-gallon glass equivalent. Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing.
What temperatures does a Spotted python need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface, warm side 84–88°F, cool side 75–80°F, night No lower than 70°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Spotted python need UVB?
Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Spotted python need?
50–60%. Water bowl and a humid hide.
What substrate is best for a Spotted python?
Aspen, cypress mulch or a soil/sand mix, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Spotted python enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own spotted python record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.