Named for the naturalist John George Children rather than for kids — though it happens to be superb with them — the Children’s python is the definition of an easy, long-lived pet snake. It tops out around a metre, feeds like clockwork, tolerates handling from day one, and shrugs off the small husbandry wobbles that come with a first snake. Ours are European captive-bred and feeding on defrosted mice.
At a Glance
| Species | Antaresia childreni (Children’s python) |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 90–110 cm |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| Enclosure | 90×45×45 cm for life |
| Temperature | Warm end 32 °C; cool end 24 °C |
| Humidity | 40–50 % |
| Diet | Defrosted mice, sized to girth |
| Experience level | Beginner |
Children’s Python Care Basics
Two hides, a water bowl, a thermostat-controlled warm end — that’s the complete equipment list. Juveniles take a pinkie weekly; adults an adult mouse every 10–14 days. The subtle speckled pattern deepens into rich purplish-brown with age, and older animals often develop a faint iridescent sheen in good light. Handle calmly a couple of times a week and this species stays puppy-tame for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really a good first snake?
It’s one of the three species we recommend without hesitation to first-time keepers, alongside its Antaresia cousins. Small, hardy, docile, long-lived.
How often will it actually bite?
Feeding responses aside — which hook-training eliminates — most keepers go years without a defensive bite. And from a metre-long python, even that is trivial.
What morphs exist in Children’s pythons?
Marble, T+ and patternless lines are actively bred in Europe — this classic wild-type is also the perfect outcross for any of them.
Why Buy From EU Exotic Reptile Hub
- Captive-bred in Europe — no wild-caught animals, ever
- Live-arrival guarantee and health guarantee on every animal
- Verified feeding — we ship only established feeders, with a feeding record
- Lifetime care support from our keepers, one message away
Shipping Across the EU
We ship EU-wide with specialist live-animal couriers in insulated, heat- or cool-packed boxes, dispatched only when the weather forecast along the whole route is safe. You receive tracking on dispatch day and your animal typically arrives within 24 hours. See our shipping policy and FAQ for full details.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.