Meet the animal
Antaresia maculosa usually keeps dark blotches into adulthood and is distinct from A. childreni. Locality and individual size vary. An average near one metre is not an upper limit: ask for the animal’s measured length and keep checking its space as it grows.
Before you choose one
Ask for length, age, feeding history and identification evidence. Plan long-term adult space, frozen food and veterinary care. Keep one python and arrange a holiday keeper who can follow age-specific controls and meal records.
Set up its home
The proposed adult layout is 210 × 90 × 90 cm, offering room beyond older small-python examples. Usable internal length must still fit the actual snake. Add stable climbing routes, fitted hides, a humid refuge and cover. Avoid narrowing fixtures in which growth could cause wedging.
Temperature and safe heating
One keeper guide gives a warm surface around 32°C and cooler air around 26–29°C, with adult nights towards 20°C. The veterinary genus sheet differs and gives warmer first-year guidance. Have one complete age-specific plan reviewed; do not use the coolest adult night values for a hatchling.
Daylight, shade and UV
Provide roughly 12 hours of daytime light, shaded rest and a dark night. The sources do not establish a proven exact species UVI optimum. Review a proposed low-output installation and measure exposure at occupied branches rather than relying on bulb percentage.
Water, moisture and airflow
Keep clean drinking water, a humid shedding refuge and drying ventilated exposed areas. A broad published tolerance is not a precise optimum. Inspect chosen retreats and the wetting cycle, particularly in a heated home during winter.
Food and nutrition
Use suitable frozen-thawed whole rodents. Young animals commonly start at 7–10 days between meals; adults may need one to three weeks according to condition. Strong appetite does not justify weekly large meals indefinitely. Record prey size and weight trends.
Behaviour and handling
Provide nocturnal climbing routes rather than relying on handling for activity. Let the snake settle, support its body and avoid pulling it from branches. Leave at least 48 hours after meals. Keep handling cues separate from food preparation.
Health and life stages
Wheezing, mouth changes, burns, mites, retained sheds or repeated regurgitation need a reptile vet. Quarantine with dedicated equipment and avoid exposed sticky tape. Do not respond to repeated problems simply by increasing the heat.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred stock with scientific identification and retained origin records. Treat unsupported locality descriptions as claims. Check current controls for the intended cross-border transaction rather than assuming all small pythons share paperwork.
Your care routine
Confirm the snake’s age, length and complete heat plan before arrival. Each day, check water, controls and locks. Review hide fit and branch stability as it grows. Keep individual meal dates and care instructions for holiday cover.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 7 ticked
Spotted python — Antaresia maculosa
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/spotted-python/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Children's and spotted python identity and breeding (Antaresia breeder resource)
- Antaresia python care sheet (The Unusual Pet Vets)
- Spotted python care sheet (ReptiFiles)
- Spotted python UK care overview (Monkfield Reptile)
- UV-Tool: selecting appropriate UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians (2016) (Baines and colleagues, Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research)
- Historical UK rosy boa and spotted python listing (Ely Exotics)
- CITES import and export guidance (APHA / GOV.UK)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Spotted python, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat Day/Night + Timer
Model: HTDD
Only for a compatible heater when extra heat is needed
Controls a compatible heater and allows separate day/night settings.
Fit check: HTDD controls compatible heaters up to 600 W, with no minimum load and a 0–50°C setting range. Socket I regulates the heater; socket II switches a separately verified load on a timer without temperature control. Never connect UVB to the dimming heater socket; the 600 W rating does not confirm T5 ballast compatibility. Guard the heater, secure the probe as instructed without tape and keep electrics dry. Check warm and cool areas with independent thermometers. The controller cannot cool a hot enclosure.
Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Infrared Thermometer
Model: RT-1
Checks basking and other occupied surface temperatures separately from air readings.
Fit check: Use this for surface temperatures, with air probes for air readings. Follow the distance and spot-size instructions, and account for reflective surfaces. It cannot measure internal body temperature.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Solarmeter Model 6.5R UV Index Meter
Model: 6.5R
Use your own meter or arrange an exposure check
Measures UV Index at the animal’s reachable back height, with the screen and guards fitted.
Fit check: Use a 6.5 or 6.5R UV Index meter, rather than a UVB irradiance meter. Measure all reachable positions and shaded retreats through the fitted screen and guards. You can borrow a suitable meter or arrange a competent exposure check instead of buying one. Confirm UK supply if buying.
Also plan for: Agree a lighting and UV exposure plan for your animal before choosing a lamp. Keep a regular day-night cycle and accessible shade. No lamp model is selected here.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Use suitable frozen-thawed whole rodents.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
HabiStat Digital Dimming Thermostat Day/Night + Timer
Only for a compatible heater when extra heat is needed
Model HTDD · 600 W maximum, no minimum load; setting range 0–50°C. Socket II is timed; this model does not actively cool. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Controls a compatible heater and allows separate day/night settings.
Check before choosing: HTDD controls compatible heaters up to 600 W, with no minimum load and a 0–50°C setting range. Socket I regulates the heater; socket II switches a separately verified load on a timer without temperature control. Never connect UVB to the dimming heater socket; the 600 W rating does not confirm T5 ballast compatibility. Guard the heater, secure the probe as instructed without tape and keep electrics dry. Check warm and cool areas with independent thermometers. The controller cannot cool a hot enclosure.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Zoo Med ReptiTemp Digital Infrared Thermometer
Model RT-1 · Measures surfaces, not air. Check distance/spot size and reflective-surface limitations. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Checks basking and other occupied surface temperatures separately from air readings.
Check before choosing: Use this for surface temperatures, with air probes for air readings. Follow the distance and spot-size instructions, and account for reflective surfaces. It cannot measure internal body temperature.
Equipment notes: Daylight, shade and UV
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Solarmeter Model 6.5R UV Index Meter
Use your own meter or arrange an exposure check
Model 6.5R · UV Index meter; take readings at accessible back height with screen and guards installed. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Measures UV Index at the animal’s reachable back height, with the screen and guards fitted.
Check before choosing: Use a 6.5 or 6.5R UV Index meter, rather than a UVB irradiance meter. Measure all reachable positions and shaded retreats through the fitted screen and guards. You can borrow a suitable meter or arrange a competent exposure check instead of buying one. Confirm UK supply if buying.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.