Aussie Pythons

This is the third installment of the Anteresia series of basic care sheets for children and beginners.

Scientifically known as Antaresia maculosa, this python species is the biggest of the Antaresia genus and tend to grow up to even five feet. As its name suggests, its body is covered with dark brown spots on a background that is a lighter shade of brown and even sometimes a light caramel colour. These spots may be connected or single and when connected they give the appearance of a wavy stripe on the snake’s body.

Like most Australian snakes, these pythons are quite versatile in their habitat selection and can live in woodlands, rocky regions, forests, rain forests and grasslands. They have also been spotted on a number of islands located in the vicinity of the Queensland coast.
Spotted pythons feed on rodents, frogs, lizards, bats and birds in the wild. However when captive, they are fed with rats and mice like most other pythons. This python species is the most kept Antaresia species, this suggests that they are easier to care for as they aren’t the cheapest or the prettiest, in my opinion.

Although the three pythons of the genus Antaresia are distinct, this distinction remains only as far as appearance and place of origin is concerned. Apart from that all three pythons, the stimsoni, childreni and the spotted python’s care sheets do not differ largely. Therefore all three Aussie pythons can be taken care of in a similar manner and under similar conditions.

This is the second installment of the Anteresia series of basic care sheets for children and beginners.

The Children’s Pythons, scientifically named Antaresia childreni, is a species of small pythons that are amply scattered in the northern parts of Australia.

This pet, might be the ideal one for a beginner, due to its usually calm nature and small size. However, and I hate to propel stereotypes against certain species’, but these snakes have been reported to be generally the most snappy of the Antaresia genus.

The name, Children’s Python, has caused many misconceptions. Most people new to the reptile world actually think they are named this because they’re good snakes for kids. Actually, the origin of the word children, in the name of this python is from the zoologist John George Children of whom the species was named after. These snakes have been observed to grow generally around three feet and have a life span of around 12-20 years, if proper care is taken. Like all reptiles, they are best bought from a reputable reptile dealer. Before you buy the snake, feel its body for any protruding lumps and check see whether the snake is able to move fluidly with a decent grip on your hand. At your first touch, a healthy python would flick its tongue out and it should also have clear and sparkling eyes and a clean and blockage-free vent.

They are best kept in a wooden enclosure, or you can even use a properly set up plastic box (click-clack) with holes for ventilation. The humidity level that needs to be maintained is about 60% and can be increased up to 70% to facilitate shedding. Adding some hides and perches to the enclosure will be quite a treat for the reptile if you make sure not to over-clutter the enclosure. These items can be bought from pet stores or made from items available at home. Be sure to maintain a temperature range of around 31-33 degrees within the enclosure.

This is the first installment of the Anteresia series of basic care sheets for children and beginners.

Stimson’s pythons were formerly considered to be Children’s pythons until they were singled out by Smith. Unlike carpet pythons, they are a small species; growing to an average length of only around one meter. Interestingly, male pythons are longer than the females, and they have around 150 teeth and are generally well behaved snakes, but can bite or nip you off when in an unfavorable mood. And like all pythons, without proper care and attention they can become quite nasty.

They are oviparous reptiles and the eggs are laid usually around 115 days from the day when the pythons first mated. Cages for pythons are readily available for purchase. They usually require a temperature range of around 23-34 degrees Celsius. A plant made of plastic or a rock or log will be a real treat for the pythons, stimulating their senses and encouraging exercise, but be careful not to clutter the enclosure. For water, use a bowl that will not tip easily so that the snake won’t spill over the water and don’t fill the bowl to its brim, just half full, preferably with spring or rain water and not tap water, as it could contain chemicals.

Since pythons need to feel secure and have a range of temperatures to keep them healthy you must ensure that your cage has both a warm and cold region. Stool must be removed whenever noticed and the substrate is best made of paper. Any kind of paper can be used, be it recycled paper, butcher paper or the most easily available; newspaper.

When buying your Stimson’s python, go for one that is clean and bright eyed. Don’t buy one just because it looks sad or is housed in inhumane conditions, you may thing you are helping the python but it will just put a lot of stress on you and you may not be able to deal with the issues that arise. It is important to buy a healthy snake so that you may raise it without any problems.

Their diet is usually made of mice and rats. If your pet python refuses a couple of meals it is not cause for any immediate alarm as this is quite normal and pythons in the wild can go months without feeding. Read up about feeding methods, they have been mentioned on this blog before.

A Darwin carpet python or M. s. variegata is the perfect reptile for the first time owner or experienced handler. These beautiful creatures can grow up to six feet in length. When a Darwin is young, they are just like any other snake. They are easily aggravated and may bite anything that they see. Most Darwin’s settle down after a few years and have an easier temperament. It is important to remember that these creatures still can be provoked at any time to bite anyone they are given the possibility to.

After bringing your Darwin carpet python home, it is important to find it a good home. One of the best containers for holding a Darwin is a glass aquarium. This aquarium is strengthened to ensure that the creature is not able to get out of it. Remember to place a strong lid on the top of the habitat to prevent escape. Many owners use a traditional lid but place heavier items such as textbooks or rocks to prevent the python from escaping. There are several guidelines that one needs to consider when trying to determine the correct size for the python’s cage. In an ideal world, the cage should be large enough that the animal is able to fully stretch out its body from tail to head without hitting either side of the cage. Many animals start off in smaller tanks but will require larger tanks as time goes on.

One end of the Darwin carpet python’s cage needs to be heated with the other one cooled. The python should be able to travel back and forth between the two with no problems. A heat lamp should be directed inward to the cage on the warm end. Ideally, the temperature will be 30 to 32 degrees on the warm end with 22 to 26 degrees at the cooler end. The python should have access to the warm heat lamp at least eight to ten hours per day. Some type of substrate needs to be situated on the bottom of the cage. Newspaper work well for a substrate material and only need to be changed once per week. They may need to be changed more often if a large amount of water spills on them or the animal defecates.

The Darwin carpet python loves to be able to soak up their environment. Rocks make a great addition because they allow the python to assist itself when in the shedding stage. Shelter is another key to the python. Household boxes can be used but should be large enough to allow the python to fit inside. A large bowl for soaking should be provided to the Darwin carpet python. The water should be filled and cleaned regularily. The snake will soak in this pool from time to time and it is important that the animal is able to fit themselves comfortabley within it. Rats are the perfect type of prey for an adult Darwin carpet python and mice as hatchlings. Depending upon the size of your python, the size of the prey item needs to change. Typically a feeding pattern of once per week is sufficent.

One of the most common non-venomous Australian snakes is the python. Aussie pythons come in all different shapes and sizes, with hundreds of different colours and patterns. One of the most recently described and most currently sought-after species is the ‘Morelia carinata’ or Rough-Scaled Python, from the Kimberly region of Western Australia. The Morelia genus of python is commonly found, not only in Australia, but also in Indonesia and New Guinea. The most common type of Aussie python is the carpet python, Morelia spilota (also called the diamond python. Not to be confused with the sub-species of carpet python, also called diamond python, Morelia spilota spilota). These Aussie Pythons are generally characterized by the presence of teeth on the maxilla, distinguished heat pits on the labial scales and usually (other than the Morelia carinata) they have smooth scales. Carpet pythons usually grow to around 2-3 meters long, some reaching in excess of four meters.

The head of most Aussie pythons is flat, with small eyes and relatively large nostrils. Most Australian snakes are in shades of brown, khaki and grey. However depending on the snake and location they can be bright green, bright red and even golden. Aussie pythons generally seem very lazy or lethargic because they usually only move when they need to and most are nocturnal. Being cold-blooded animals, they can only move a certain amount in the cold, which usually isn’t very much. So in the winter Australian snakes can stop eating for months and barely move from a single place, this period is called brumation. Aussie pythons are generally great swimmers, with the ability to move in the water at ease. They usually eat small mammals, birds and sometimes other reptiles. Pythons live in nearly every habitat in Australia, from arid deserts, to rainforests, to savannahs and woodlands.

Many people are intrigued with keeping reptiles as pets, although they may not be as affectionate as a dog or as fluffy as a cat, they are wonderful and interesting pets to look after. This article is a brief guideline to those of you interested in buying your first snake, follow this guide and you’ll have a new scaly friend in no time. Just like other avocations, snake keeping can be a fun, rewarding experience if things go right. But it can be a frustrating and discouraging experience if they don’t. Once you have decided to buy your first snake you should make sure that you can find a place with reptiles for sale or adoption near where you live. This way you can see the snake before you buy it and make sure it’s healthy, and not vicious. There is nothing more discouraging for a newcomer in this hobby than a snake that bites constantly. Make sure when you’re at the breeder’s house or pet shop that once you’ve picked your snake you watch it eat first. It can be difficult to get hatchling snakes to start eating, and as a new snake owner you need to know that your first snake is already eating before you buy it. The price of a python in Australia can range anywhere from $80 to to over $2000, depending on the species, age and time of year.

Deciding to buy your first snake should be a decision made with utmost consideration, as with no prior handling or reptile keeping experience before it can be a tricky thing to get started. As all snake keepers know, good handling qualities are not hereditary and most hatchling snakes bite a lot and need to be taught that you’re not going to hurt them before they stop, this can be a long process. If you are buying your first snake, the chances are you will get bitten. There are ways to prevent this, even just slightly. Such as handling your snake before you buy it and knowing it has a good temperament, or buying an adult snake that has already been ‘trained’ not to bite. You will have many responsibilities when getting your first snake. Snakes live for a long time, usually over ten years. The oldest recorded living snake in captivity is a ball python and it is around 48 years old. Although snakes don’t need as much of your time as a dog, you only need to spend a few hours per week caring for your snake, and that’s the way they like it. Snakes don’t enjoy being taken out and handled every five minutes. So if you are a busy person, a snake may just be the perfect pet for you. One of the best ways to find a reptile for sale or adoption is the internet. There are many forums with reptile classifieds sections, private breeders websites and even pet shops displaying their reptiles for sale online. But as I previously mentioned, make sure that you find a snake in your area that you can see and handle before you buy as it is best to meet your first snake before you buy it.