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Morelia bredli (Central Australian carpet python)

Morelia bredli

Age: up to 30 years
Origin: Central Australia
Length: up to 250 centimeters

The Morelia bredli is a medium to large Python and is usually reddish brown in color with some white to beige dots or stripes.

Care
Experience: Average hose holder
Food: Live or dead prey.
Adult feeding: Every 7 to 14 days
Feeding young: Every 5 to 7 days
Water bowl: Yes
Water change: 3 times a week

Nutrition
There is the choice to present the prey alive or dead. It is recommended to offer dead food. This is more practical and prevents the food animal from injuring your snake. It is also advised to offer the food animal with feeding tongs and to feed your snake outside the enclosure. This ensures that your hand is not associated with food and prevents your snake from reaching for your hand while feeding. If you do go for live food, you must supervise the feeding. The prey animal can also injure the snake. Feed the rat snake separately, because when two snakes catch the same prey, they can injure each other and sometimes eat each other themselves. The ideal prey is about as wide as the widest part of the snake.

Water
Like other Pythons, the Morelia bredli is a true lover of water. In addition to drinking it, they also bathe in it. The water bowl must therefore be large enough for the snake to bathe in it with its entire body. This bathing can cause the water to become dirty, so it is not a problem if the water is changed more than 3 times a week.

Cleaning
The accommodation must be kept clean to prevent diseases and bacteria build-up. This can be done by doing this weekly. In addition, it is wise to thoroughly clean and disinfect the accommodation a few times a year. This prevents the build-up of bacteria. When cleaning, make sure that you also clean the climbing branches and elevations.

Housing
Minimum stay size for 1 hose: 120 x 45 x 55
Lying surface: 0.5m2 with at least one raised lounger per hose on which the hose can lie.
Day temperature: 23-31C
Night temperature: 20-23C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity: 45%-55%
Ground cover: coconut fibers or peat moss are the perfect surface for this snake

Design
The Morelia bredli is found in central Australia. Their habitat consists of lower mountain ranges with many small caves and crevices, ideal hiding places. Bredlis can also be found in hollow trunks along rivers. Before the stay there are some extra things to pay attention to. Such as a large water bowl and plenty of hiding options, Many sticks and branches are also recommended

Behaviour
Hunting method: Strangler snake
Lifestyle: semi-arboreal & nocturnal

Character
Calm animals that are usually in a good mood. This makes them easy to handle and excellent pets. Young specimens can be defensive.

Points of attention
the Morelia bredli is a strangler snake and can eat prey larger than its head. Therefore, keep in mind that you do not leave him alone with small children or pets. This is because he can also mistake these for prey.

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: The Morelia bredli falls under CITES II, to own this snake you need CITES or transfer papers. You should receive this with the purchase.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for accommodation, lighting, heating, water bowl and decoration. This can cost a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, which is several tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs have been incurred when your hose happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.andling
To feed the Morelia bredli and to clean the enclosure, your hose will need to be handled. This must of course be done properly so that the snake and you are safe. Handle the hose with a hose hook or lift it with two hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls it will clamp around your neck. In addition, there are some important things to keep in mind when handling a spotted python. First, make sure that your snake realizes that you are going to handle it and move slowly when handling it. Also make sure your hands are washed and don't smell like food. Finally, do not handle your snake when it is molting and do not handle it in the dark.