Macklot's Python — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Macklot's Python — origin: Southeast Asia and Australasia: Indonesia (Lesser Sunda Islands — Timor, Savu, Wetar…), New Guinea and the far north of Australia. A species tied to wetlands, riverbanks and monsoon forests..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side30–32 °C

Basking spot31–33 °C

A thermal gradient is essential. Hot spot/basking area at 31-33 °C at ground level, cool side 24-26 °C, nighttime drop tolerated down to ~22 °C. Use a thermostat on every heat source and check temperatures with a probe thermometer. Avoid heat rocks (risk of burns).

Enclosure (adult)

150 × 60 × 60 cm

Robust horizontal terrarium of the tropical/semi-aquatic type, with a large water body and hides at both ends of the thermal gradient.

Minimum dimensions for an adult; larger is always preferable (aim for an enclosure length >= 2/3 of the snake's length). Provide a very well-secured lid (a powerful species). NON-VENOMOUS species (constrictor). Listed on CITES Appendix II; specimens of Australian origin are protected and banned from export — favour captive-bred, traceable and documented animals over wild-caught ones (often stressed, parasitised and dehydrated).

Humidity

60–80 %

Humid environment (marked aquatic tendencies). Maintain 60-80%, with a peak during sheds. Ensure good ventilation to avoid stagnation and scale rot.

Substrate

Cypress mulchCoco fibre/chipsOrchid barkSphagnum moss (targeted humid areas)

Substrates that retain moisture without becoming permanently waterlogged. Remove soiling immediately; a water-soaked substrate encourages dermatitis and scale rot. Avoid toxic softwood shavings (cedar/pine).

UVB

Optional

Not strictly necessary (nocturnal species); low-intensity UVB lighting (2-5% index) remains beneficial and helps with the day/night cycle, provided shaded hides are available.

Water source

Always available

A large, clean water container, spacious and stable enough for the animal to immerse itself completely (semi-aquatic tendencies: it bathes readily). Change the water often, as this python frequently defecates and bathes in it.

Origin

Pythonidae

Southeast Asia and Australasia: Indonesia (Lesser Sunda Islands — Timor, Savu, Wetar…), New Guinea and the far north of Australia. A species tied to wetlands, riverbanks and monsoon forests.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Rodents (mice, then appropriately sized rats), occasionally birds; opportunistic in the wild (rodents, birds, reptiles).

Prey with a diameter close to the widest part of the animal. Very strong feeding response: feed with tongs/hook and caution. Do not overfeed — obesity is common in this voracious species. Thawed/warmed prey recommended.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 8–15 eggs/young. Clutch of 8-15 eggs on average. The female incubates her eggs by coiling around them (maternal incubation); hatching after about 55-65 days at ~31-32 °C. A cooling period/seasonal cycle stimulates breeding.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (unsuitable temperature/humidity, poor ventilation)
Scale rot / dermatitis on substrate that is too damp or dirty
Incomplete sheds (dysecdysis) from a lack of humidity
External (mites) and internal parasites, especially in wild-caught animals
Stomatitis (mouth rot) and obesity from overfeeding

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes for Macklot's Python.

Hypomelanistic (Golden) hypoDom
Anerythristic (Hypothetical) axanthicRec
Granite / SpeckledDom

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Macklot's Python × Macklot's Python

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the macklot's python.

Is Macklot's python a species for experienced keepers or is it suitable for beginners?▾

Its difficulty level is intermediate: it's not a good first snake, but a motivated beginner can handle it. It has a very strong feeding response and may bite out of feeding reflex rather than real aggression, and it can be defensive inside its enclosure; once taken out, however, it tames down and handles well.

How big does an adult Macklot's python get?▾

Expect a typical adult total length of 1.8-2.4 m, a stocky, muscular snake. Note, however, that the dwarf form from Savu Island, often sold under the name Macklot's python, stays markedly smaller, at 1-1.5 m.

Why is a water feature so important for this species?▾

Macklot's python has markedly semi-aquatic tendencies and bathes readily: it needs a large, clean water container, spacious and stable enough to allow full immersion. Since it frequently defecates and bathes in it, the water must be changed often.

What terrarium and setup should be provided?▾

A robust horizontal terrarium of the tropical/semi-aquatic type works well, with a minimum of 150 x 60 x 60 cm for an adult and a length ideally equal to two-thirds of the snake's length. Provide a large water body and hides at both ends of the thermal gradient, under a very securely locked lid, as this is a powerful species.

What thermal gradient should be maintained?▾

The warm side should reach 30-32 °C, with a basking/thermoregulation zone at 31-33 °C, while the cool side stays at 24-26 °C; a nighttime drop down to 22 °C is tolerated. Every heat source must run through a thermostat and be checked with a probe thermometer, avoiding heat rocks, which cause burns.

What humidity level and substrate should be chosen?▾

Maintain a humid environment of 60-80%, with a peak during sheds, and ensure good ventilation to avoid stagnation. Cypress mulch, coco fibre, orchid bark or sphagnum moss in targeted areas all work well, provided the substrate is never left permanently waterlogged, which promotes scale rot.

Is UVB lighting useful for a nocturnal python?▾

It isn't strictly necessary since the species is nocturnal, but low-intensity UVB (2-5% index) remains beneficial for the day/night cycle, provided shaded hides remain available.

What should it be fed, and how can feeding bites be avoided?▾

The diet consists of rodents — mice, then appropriately sized rats — occasionally birds, always offered thawed or warmed. Given this species' very strong feeding response, feed with tongs or a hook and with caution, and use the hook outside of feeding times to signal that it isn't mealtime. Avoid overfeeding, as obesity is common.

Where does Macklot's python come from, and are there any buying restrictions?▾

It is native to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia (Timor, Savu, Wetar), New Guinea and the far north of Australia, where it inhabits wetlands, riverbanks and monsoon forests. The species is listed on CITES Appendix II, and Australian populations are protected and banned from export: it is best to favour a captive-bred animal that is traceable and documented over a wild-caught specimen, which is often stressed and parasitised.

How does this species reproduce, and what is its lifespan?▾

An oviparous species, the female lays an average of 8-15 eggs, which she incubates by coiling around them, with hatching occurring after 55-65 days at 31-32 °C; a seasonal cooling period stimulates breeding. With good care, this python lives 20-25 years, sometimes longer.

What health issues should be monitored?▾

The main risks are respiratory infections linked to poorly adjusted temperature or humidity, scale rot on overly damp substrate, incomplete sheds from a lack of humidity, and both external and internal parasites, especially in wild-caught animals. Stomatitis and obesity from overfeeding should also be watched for.

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