Care sheet

Children's Python

Antaresia childreni

Also known as: Spotted Python (complex)

Pythonidae · Squamata

BeginnerCITES IIIUCN LC

Activity: 🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament: Docile
Adult length: 30–42 in
Lifespan (captivity): 20–30 yrs
Native range: Northern Australia — rocky outcrops, savanna, and caves

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Care guide

Overview

Children's Python (Antaresia childreni) — a small, docile, hardy Australian python that stays under ~3.5 ft, making it ideal for keepers with limited space. Named after zoologist J.G. Children, not for children.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

75–80 °F

Warm side

82–86 °F

Basking spot

88–92 °F

Nighttime

70–75 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–60%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Terrestrial

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
Adult3x2x1.5 ft for an adult; a great small-python option

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

aspencoco fibercypress mulch

Avoid

cedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Strict carnivore

Prey size by life stage

AdultAdult mice ~1-1.25x the snake's widest point

Feeding frequency by life stage

JuvenileEvery 7 days
AdultEvery 10-14 days

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Small sturdy water bowl; fresh water available at all times.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Wild populations

CITES Appendix II (all pythons). One of the best beginner pythons: small, hardy, docile, long-lived.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market

Active

Complexity

Simple

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Antaresia childreni — species account
Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan
academic
Range, small size, biology.
Published: 2020-01-01
Antaresia childreni — IUCN Red List (LC)
IUCN
government
Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.
Published: 2019-01-01
Children's Python Care
Morelia Python Radio / keeper community
breeder community
Small adult size, temps, feeding, temperament.
Published: 2021-01-01