Scientific name

Antaresia maculosa

Antaresia maculosa does not refer to the New Guinea populations now assigned to Antaresia papuensis. [1]

Origin

Eastern Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. [1]

  • Small python
  • Contrasting spots
  • Climber

At a glance

ADULT SIZEUp to 130 cm
Total length reported by Animal Diversity Web [3].
LIFESPAN15–30 years
Antaresia group reference, not a species-specific average [4].
LIFESTYLEGround and branches
Partial use of trees documented [1].

Adult size

Up to around 130 cm in total length according to Animal Diversity Web. [3]

Lifespan

15–30 years in the Antaresia veterinary table; a mean specific to A. maculosa is not established. [4]

Lifestyle

Partly arboreal. [1]

Housing

ACCESSIBLE SHELTERS

Space to be sized — The veterinary care sheet sets no enclosure volume. Provide shelters and strong supports [2].

Strong branches, shelters and ventilation according to veterinarians. [2]

Care parameters

GRADIENT · LOWER LIMIT

26 °C — Antaresia veterinary table; air/surface not specified [4].

GRADIENT · UPPER LIMIT

32 °C — Limit of the same gradient; warm surface not specified [4].

Humidity

50–70 % — Range from the veterinary table explicitly including A. maculosa [4].

Gradient

26–32 °C. [4] Table shared across Antaresia; air/surface not specified.

Heating spot

Surface not established here. Record support temperature separately.

Humidity

50–70 %. [4] Veterinary reference shared across the genus.

Night

Individualised value to be clarified. Record actual minimums.

Feeding

AN APPROPRIATE DIET

Suitable, fully thawed rodents. [2]

Feeding

Suitable, fully thawed rodents. [2]

Behaviour and precautions

The large dark spots retain their contrast in adults. Total size must not be confused with the snout–vent measurement used in taxonomy. [1][3]

Useful records

Record mass, accepted or refused meals, sheds and probe locations. A measurement benefits from being accompanied by its time and zone. Compare observations over time; an unusual change warrants veterinary advice.

An enclosure that can be checked daily

This veterinary care sheet explicitly includes Antaresia maculosa. It provides for branches, hides and a stable water container, as well as heating control. Shelters do not prevent retaining practical access for maintenance. [5]

Prey is offered whole and dead. The cited reference is weekly for juveniles and every two to three weeks for adults; it still needs adaptation to body condition, prey and the individual, without creating a universal automatic reminder. [5]

Checklist

  • Check closures and supports.
  • Identify every measurement zone.
  • Keep provenance data.

Observations to record

  • Meals
  • Weight
  • Sheds
  • Temperatures

The app provides individual animal records. Check which features are available for your animal in the released version.

Related guides

Original guides in French

Sources

Document-based overview; not a substitute for veterinary advice.

  1. The Reptile Database — Antaresia maculosa
    Source accessed
  2. The Unusual Pet Vets — Antaresia Species Caresheet
    Source accessed
  3. University of Michigan, Animal Diversity Web — Antaresia
    Source accessed
  4. Doneley et al. — Reptile Medicine and Surgery in Clinical Practice, tableau 1.5, p. 7–8
    Source accessed
  5. North Shore Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre — Antaresia Python Care 2025
    Source accessed