Murray Darling Carpet Pythons

[Scales03]

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone could either give me a site that has info on Murray Darling Carpet Pythons or post some general info on them, as i'm thinking of getting some.

Thanks

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=mor...lota+metcalfei

Try a few of them links!

[Gregory]

http://www.smuggled.com/auspyt4.htm

This is what Ray has to say about Pythons, Inlands included.

[Whaa]

http://www.sambar.com.au/mark/pages/cs_carpetpython.htm

this site discusses carpet pythons in general but it also mentions each species individually.

Would I be right in assuming that the care for all carpet pythons is the same or not?

[Nicole]

Nope, diamonds are technically carpets, but need different care.

[Gregory]

why do you say that Nicole?

[Nicole]

Diamonds have a lower prefered body temp, approx 28 degrees, and it is important to cool them at night. Diamond Python Syndrome is thought to be linked with keeping them too warm 24x7 and all year round. They also seem to have greater requirements of UVA&B than other carpets.

[Gregory]

Is Diamond Python Syndrome really recognised here in Australia or is it an American thing due to their severe low temps?
DPS is one of those things people could argue about here in Aus. Is it really a proven thing here?

Cheers, Greg.

[dan_lizard]

Greg,

I have heard of it happening here in Australia. It is nowhere near as common though....

I beleive one of the instances here was in Darwin, and it was possibly caused by the lack of lower temps....

DPS has been studied a lot, but I do not know if any defenite scientific fact has been proven.... <Someone please correct me if I am wrong!>

Daniel

Within their range,there is a notable variation in seasonal temps.Some summer days reach 33-35 degrees,and winter temps can drop to freezing (0 degrees) I dont think the severe cold weather contributes to DPS like you sugest but rather the opposite.I feel it is the constant high temps in ones enclosure that effects the diamond python.After all to successfully breed DP they must be cooled almost the the extent of hybernation.
The way I see it is night time temps are extremely cold in their natural range if we put this in effect when considering housing requirements NO NIGHT TIME HEATING should be used.As nicole has suggested I would keep them at lower temps (25-28 summer day time temp) But night time cooling is the biggest factor to succesfully keeping Diamonds IMHO.

[Gregory]

Fair 'nuff

[Artie]

One of the problems of DPS is definitely keeping them at constant high temps.
Heater off at night and let them hibernate in winter
One of the other big problems is obesity; Diamonds have to be kept lean.
My yearling gets a mouse every 3 weeks and when fully grown they should be on a big rat every four to five weeks.
Sunlight probably is also an important factor even though they are nocturnal.
They seem to like to come out and sunbake a bit.
I have an uvb light in my enclosure, which should help, but I’ll take her outside every chance I have.

Ps.
I submitted an article of DPS a while ago; it still is on the front of APS homepage.

[Scales03]

Thanks all for the info on Murry Darlings, lol even though it got a bit off topic but that's good cause i'm getting a diamond python very soon, so thanks for the info :wink:

[Vat69]

Ok, so I know I always say this, but this thread hasn't had a differing opinion, so I thought I'd make one. I don't believe that there's a straight down the middle "No heat for diamonds at night" rule. My diamonds' enclosures don't retain their day-time temps at night, the ambient temp cools down because I use heat mats, but I still allow them the option of sitting on the heat when they need to. It's about them maintaining an optimal internal temperature, right? So if they're 'cold as' at night, how are they they able to obtain this? In the wild, if they found a nice, sun-warmed rock, they'd lay on it to digest a meal, they wouldn't seek out the coldest area they could.
I even know a breeder who doesn't cool his diamonds to a significant degree in winter, and still breeds them. His animals are well over 10yrs old and going strong. This is only one case, I know, but it's still an example. And there's many many theories on what causes "DPS", and until I'd come to this site, I'd never heard of it being due to diamonds having a heat source at night.
Sorry to rant, but if you're a newbie, you need more than just one side of opinions.

[Artie]

Lots of people use different ways of keeping DPs. and have success.
As far as DP syndrome goes nothing is 100% proven, everything is kinda speculation in a way.
I like to give my Snake every possible change to live a long and healthy life and go with the advise of some proven breeders and do what works for them for generations of breeding Diamonds.
The other thing is, if you live in Sydney, there is not always a warm rock at night to cuddle up to and it can get suddenly very cold for days, just like the last few days and that’s where Diamonds live.
The Guy I bought my Diamond from, keeps his outside all year with no heating at all and has been breeding them for3 generations. (In Sydney)
He even lets them hibernate in their first year (hatchlings), just like in nature.
Others do it after second or third year.
Everybody is different.
As fare as heat goes at night, there is a book called “Keeping Carpet Pythons”
They should be kept at lower ambient temps. Day and night (with consideration of time of year)
And if kept at too high temp. for prolonged periods will shorten their life span.