Snakes as Pets

Breed: Children's and Carpet Pythons
Temperament: Not known to be aggressive. Non-venomous. Treat gently and with respect.
Cost: $250 - $1000
Lifespan: 25-30 years
Recommended for: Many kids, especially boys, love snakes. Not recommended for children under 10. Responsibility and common sense is required
 

CHILD COMPATIBILITY:

Many kids, especially boys, love snakes. Not recommended for children under 10. Responsibility and common sense is required.

TEMPERAMENT:

Pythons are generally placid although individuals can be aggressive.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:
Not highly active. Least active during the colder months.

AVAILABILITY:

Breeders are not permitted to advertise. Join a herpetologist society for breeder details.

TRAINABILITY:

A non-responsive animal.

SATISFACTION RATING:

People either love them or hate them.

AGGRESSION:

Not known to be aggressive. Non-venomous. Treat gently and with respect.

HEALTH & LIFESPAN:

25-30 years. Some bacterial and fungal diseases can appear with captive animals.

NOISE:

None.

INDOORS POTENTIAL

Must be kept indoors in a climate-controlled terrarium.

IDEAL FOR:

Non-squeamish.

POPULARITY:

Have become more popular since licensing laws have relaxed.

TURN-ONS:

A great way to study Australian native wildlife.

TURN-OFFS:

Requires a substantial outlay to set up and maintain.

INTERESTING FACTS:

Another python, the ‘Burmese Python’ has been known to eat humans.

Children's and Carpet Pythons

All pythons area non-venomous. The Children's python was named not because it is a particularly good snake for children, although it is, but rather after the scientist John George Children, who was responsible for the zoological collection at the British Museum in the first half of the 19th century. It was he who identified this particular group of pythons. Children's python is the common name given to the four native Australian pythons of the genus Antaresia. Antaresia childreni and Antaresia maculosa are the most commonly kept.

Children's pythons are not tree dwellers, preferring to shelter in crevices or burrows.

Carpet pythons have a wide distribution across Australia. They occupy a number of different types of habitat and are usually nocturnal. Because they are attracted to vermin, carpet pythons are often found around human habitats. Carpet pythons are commonly arboreal species, that is they live in the trees.

Habitat

• A. childreni can be found in the wild across much of northern Australia. Brown with band-like chocolate markings that are one or two shades darker. It has a distinguishing blue sheen over its scales, which can be seen in the sun. This snake grows to no longer than 1.1 metres.
• A. maculosa is seen along the northern half of the east coast of Australia. Lighter brown in body colour with dark chocolate markings that are quite splotched. It grows to 1.6 metres in length.

There are several recognised sub-species of Carpet python commonly kept as pets. The Diamond python (Morelia spilota spilota), a native of N.S.W. from Northern Rivers to north-eastern Victoria, can grow to a total length up to 2.5m. Fully grown, the Diamond python is a distinctive large, dark grey to black snake with cream to yellow diamond shaped markings. It is not often sighted because of its nocturnal, slow-moving habits. Look up, and it may be seen basking in trees or might be found occasionally in roofs and rafters.

Temperament

Pythons are relatively placid, however like all snakes they will strike and can bite if they feel in danger. Snakes can have their own personality and whilst some are extremely placid, others are more aggressive. Pythons can be kept solitary or with others of their own species. Don't overcrowd terrariums, and don't feed tank mates at the same time, this will encourage competition and aggression.

Set-up

Children's pythons require an indoor terrarium at least 60cm in length for two specimens. A timber enclosure with a glass front and a secure lid is ideal. Snakes are deaf and almost totally blind, they prefer to be well protected, so include cage fixtures to provide adequate hiding places such as pieces of bark or rock.

A Carpet python should have a tank a size no less than 50cm deep x 100cm high x100cm wide. It is important to have the tank as high as possible due to their tree-dwelling nature and desire to climb. Branches should be included for climbing and, like the Children's python, hiding places provided.

Reptiles require heating at all times. A red or blue light can be used at night to warm the cage whilst an ultraviolet or white heating globe can be left on during the day. The heat lamps should be thermostatically controlled and the snake must be provided with a day/night cycle using a UV light. Alternatively a 'heat pad' can be used to heat the area from below.

There should be a temperature gradient across the length of the terrarium. Place the heat source at one end of the tank. The average temperature around the middle of the tank should be maintained between 24 and 28°C.

A water bowl for drinking and a branch or two for flexing and climbing is also required. Recycled paper kitty litter is a good substrate. It holds heat well, is absorbent and can be put on the garden as mulch after use. The total cost (without snake) of a complete terrarium, depending on size (starting at 60cm) starts at around $800.

Maintenance and feeding

Ever heard of a 'frozen moment'? Well how about a 'frozen rodent'? Children's pythons eat live adult mice and lizards, although those that are captive bred are encouraged to accept frozen rodents. Frozen rodents, from 'pinkies' (hairless baby mice) up to full grown rats, can be bought from most pet stores. Feeding snakes is not for the squeamish. Start juvenile snakes on pinkies and increase the size of rodent according to the size of the snake. The rodent should be thawed and breeders recommend that a vitamin supplement is added.

Meals should be offered about once a week to fortnightly. Children's pythons are prone to obesity if overfed. Keep meals small if fed weekly. The number of feeds depends on the season and the snake's level of activity. More feeds area required during the hotter months.

Carpet pythons prefer warm-blooded food, such as rodents or even chickens. When feeding a live animal, the RSPCA recommends despatching the meal animal humanely immediately prior to feeding.

Handling

It is very important that pythons are handled correctly. Novice owners should receive a handling lesson from an experienced person. Here are the basic rules:

1. Hold the snake under its belly.
2. Do not grab at the snake, but approach gently.
3. Make sure the snake is aware of your presence before picking it up.
4. Have clean freshly washed hands and clothes that do not smell like another animals.

Health and lifespan

25 - 30 years. Snakes kept properly aren't likely to suffer any serious health problems although some bacterial and fungal problems can occur. Occasionally may require assistance when the skin is sloughing (shedding). Consult a veterinarian who specialises in reptiles.

Ideal owner and cost

Anyone 10 years and over can keep a children's or carpet python, however supervision for children is essential. It is highly recommended that potential snake owners find out how to look after and set up for the reptile before they buy the snake. Join a herpetological society, they are in most major cities and are a great wealth of knowledge for the budding snake keeper. A python will cost between $250-1,000 depending on size, colour and species.

Safety

Captive bred snakes, are reasonably placid and are most likely to bite if they feel threatened or frightened. Only buy snakes from reputable breeders or pet stores so you can be sure of what you are buying. Bites are non-venomous to humans, however you should seek medical advice if bitten as the wound may still become infected.

Legislation and licensing

All lizards, snakes and turtles are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act and it is against the law to take them from the wild. If you wish to keep reptiles, you must get a licence from the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Currently, members of the general public can keep Children's Pythons in all states and territories apart from Tasmania and Western Australia. All states have different licensing laws and requirements. It is best to contact the Department of Environment and Conservation in each state to find out what you must do.

In W.A the approved species list is constantly under review and it is best to seek advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation.

In Tasmania, only native Tasmanian reptiles can be kept. The importation of native reptiles from other states is not allowed. There is no immediate plan by the government to change this.

Further information

John Weigel, Care of Australian Reptiles in Captivity (1989), Reptile Keepers Association ISBN 0 7316 3290 7 is an invaluable guide to keeping reptiles. RRP $21.00.

An excellent, informative website to help you get in touch with reptile breeders and owners: www.aussiepythons.com

Herpetology organisations

Department of Environment and Conservation
102 George Street
The Rocks, 2000
Phone: 1300 361 967 (within NSW) or (02) 9253 4600
Fax: (02) 9251 8482

Victorian Herpetological Society
PO Box 523
Somerville, 3912
Phone: (03) 9437 0755

ACT Herpetology Association
PO Box 1335
Canberra, 2601

Environment ACT
Environment Information Centre
PO Box 144
Lyneham, 2602
Helpline: (02) 6207 9777

Herpetological Society of Queensland Inc
PO Box 5001
Kenmore, 4069
Secretary - David Sewell
Phone: (07) 3398 2100

Environmental Protection Agency - Customer Service Centre
PO Box 15155
City East, Qld 4002
Phone: (07) 3227 8185
Web: www.epa.qld.gov.au

Western Australian Society of Amateur Herpetologists
169 Egina Street
Mount Hawthorn, 6016
Phone: (08) 9444 6412 or (08) 9445 2409 or (08) 9295 3007.

Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia
Locked Bag 104
Bentley Delivery Centre, WA, 6983
Phone: (08) 9334 0333

Department of Environment and Heritage
GPO Box 1047
Adelaide, 5001
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Phone: (08) 8204 1910

Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8999 5511
Fax: (08) 8932 3849

Parks and Wildlife Service
GPO Box 44A
Hobart, 7001
Phone: 1300 135 513

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