Small Pythons

Introduction

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There are a number of individual species within this group. They include the Children’s Python, Stimson’s Python, Spotted Python and Pygmy Python.

Physical and behavioural characteristics

• grow to a length of 100 – 150 cm

• long-lived (15 – 20 years)

• non-venomous, rely on constriction to immobilise prey

• nocturnal and mainly active at night.

Environmental requirements for keeping in captivity

• require a reasonably large enclosure

• require a temperature range from 24⁰C to 30⁰C within the enclosure and a small basking or heated area reaching 35⁰C

• require a sheltered area in which to hide

• benefit from branches in which to climb and rest and rock or logs in which to live and hide.

Natural distribution

Feeding and nutrition

• all captive snakes are fed frozen rats or mice (thawed before feeding)

• the size of the rats/mice is determined by the size of the snake

• food should be offered every 1 – 2 weeks if the enclosure is continually heated

• feeding should occur outside of the living enclosure to avoid the snake expecting food every time the enclosure door is opened

• fresh water must always be available.

Considerations when keeping Pythons in schools

• placid and amenable to handling once conditioned

• some children are likely to be afraid of snakes and less likely to engage with them

• must be fed in a container separate from their living quarters.

References

Fact sheets

Weigel, J. (2000) Care of Australian Reptiles in Captivity. Reptile Keepers Association, Gosford. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications

Green, D. and Fyfe, G(2000) Keeping children’s pythons. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications