Caring For Young Pythons

COMMONLY KEPT SPECIES
The most popular small pythons are the Children’s Python (Liasis childreni) and the Spotted/Blotched Pythons (L. maculosus, L.stimsoni). These pythons only grow to around 1 metre in length. The Diamond Python and Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) are still very popular pets despite their larger size (up to 3 metres), though Carpet Pythons can be a little snappy.

SO YOU’VE GOT YOUR FIRST PYTHON….

WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP IT?
Although we are conditioned to think that bigger is better this is definitely not the case when it comes to housing baby pythons. Pythons are not like birds that need room to fly or dogs that need room to run. The first thing a small python will do when put into a cage is hide! Breeders have found that pythons kept in small clear plastic containers (approx. 40cm x 40cm) are more settled and inclined to eat, than those kept in larger tanks. Drill appropriately sized holes in the lid or replace a section with fly screen for ventilation.

Handy Hint: pythons are escape artists and surprising strong for their size, so make sure that all lids are tightly fitting.

Pythons generally like to get up to 31°C, so you will need to heat one end of the cage with either a low wattage light globe (25-40W; normal or blue for night-time viewing) or sit the “hot end” of the cage on a heat mat. You can use a thermostat to ensure that the cage doesn’t overheat. Keep any light globe out of reach or cover with a mesh cage to prevent burns. Adequate ventilation will help reduce heat build up, and reduce excess humidity (a cause of skin disease).

When you furnish the cage just keep it simple. Simple cages are more easily cleaned and are easier to maintain. A floor substrate of paper or recycled paper pellets (kitty litter) is easy to clean and replace. Provide two hiding places, one at both the hot end and one at the cool end, thereby giving the snake the choice. A cardboard toilet tube stapled to make a cone becomes an excellent hide for baby pythons. Diamond and Carpet Pythons may benefit from having small branches to climb on. Of course, fresh water in a small glass or ceramic dish should always be offered.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO FEED IT?
Snakes eat mice everyone knows that. Wrong. Adult snakes may eat mice, rats, possums and birds, but almost every baby snake feeds on lizards in the wild. This is the reason some pythons can be difficult to get feeding in captivity. Before you purchase a python, we strongly recommend that you witness it feeding on pinkies (newborn mice). Generally, Carpet and Children’s Pythons are easy to get feeding, whereas Diamond and Spotted Pythons can be more difficult. You should offer your baby python a freshly defrosted pinkie once a week. As your snake grows, so can the size of the mouse that you offer (from pinkie to fuzzy, weaner and then adult).

Handy Hint: it is cruel to feed live mice to snakes, despite what people may tell you. The mouse can also bite and severely damage a python that has no interest in eating. The only exception may be to tempt fussy eaters.

If you’re python refuses food don’t worry. Offer the food item each week, leaving the snake alone in a darkened and quiet room. Check to make sure the temperature is right, and the snake is comfortable and has places to hide. Try not to handle it quite so much until it is feeding well, as this can cause considerable stress to the python. If this fails, feel free to call the veterinary practice, you’re herpetological society or the breeder for advice.