Keeping snakes?

Question

I am getting a childrens python and have been on every online caresheet i can find. If anyone could tell me the basic care and/or a more commonly kept snake with the same basic needs that i could search.

Answer 1

Childrens Python ( Antaresia Childreni )

Im assuming you live in Australia judging by previous questions, so a childrens python is a great choice, very easy to find a relatively cheap. $150 AU is the average from a breeder, petshops will charge more.

[ Average Length ]

90cm

[ Average Lifespan ]

20 to 25 years

[ Housing ]

Should be housed individually. Hatchling and juvenile snakes can be kept in small plastic tubs with a secure lid (provided they have air holes). An adult needs an enclosure size of at least 60cm long x 40cm wide x 40cm high. Substrate should just be paper towel or newspaper, its much more hygenic and it very quick and easy to change when it is soiled. Water should be provided in a bowl at all times and changed weekly. Some simple furnishing should include a hide box and a few branches to climb on, you can also buy fake plants which make the enclosure look great and gives something else for the snake to hide in.

[ Temperature and Humidty ]

Heatcords are the best option for heating plastic containers, a larger enclosure can have a heat bulb. Either way a thermostat should be used to make sure it keeps at the temperature required. They need a basking hot spot of 32'C, the cool end should go down to about 25'C. They should be provided with 12 hours of light, and 12 hours of dark. Humidity can be anywhere between 40 - 60 % however as I live in Queensland Australia the humidity is usually higher than this and mine have no problems. Just mist the enclosure daily when you notice it is coming up to a shed.

[ Feeding ]

Young snakes should be fed on an appropriate sized mouse or rat weekly. Animals over 2 years of age can be reduced back to one meal every fortnight. Frozen thawed is the best way to feed, 99% of snakes will happily accept this. To judge the right size rodent to feed, it should be about 1.5x the width of the snake at its widest point. This way it will leave a nice lump but not too large.

Any more information you need i'll be happy to help! =)

Answer 2

Children's pythons are a small python that can generally be kept in a 30-40 gl. tank once it reaches maturity.  I keep most babies of any species in rubbermaid tubs to provide the feeling of more security while they are small.  Children's can be kept on shredded aspen bedding and do not require high humdity.  Temps should be in the 88-90 on the warm side and 80 on the cool. These are great little pythons that are quite hardy and docile.  Here is a caresheet I found that seems pretty complete.  The only thing I don't agree with is multiple housing.  I don't think any snake should be co-habitate and I think you're asking for trouble when you do.

http://www.tinypythons.com/caresheet_chi...

Answer 3

Well, Children's Pythons are from Australia. They are actually a pretty rare snake in the pet industry. In fact, up until the mid-80's all pythons in the Children's Python's genus were known as Children's Pythons. The scientific name of the Chlildren's Python is liasis childreni. They are the second smallest python in the world. The don't grow anymore than 2 1/2 feet long. They are a very hardy snake too. Hatchlings can eat pinkie mice just hours after being born. Babies have bolder markings than adults do.

http://www.a1pythons.com/childrens.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...