Children’s Python

SerpentesBlind Snake Central Carpet Python Children’s Python Stimson’s Python

The Children’s Python (Antaresia childreni) is named after John George Children (a British chemist, mineralogist and zoologist). It is a non-venomous snake (in the family Pythonidae), occurring in the northern parts of Australia, through Central Australia into South Australia Australia. They are found in shrub-lands, woodlands, arid grasslands and desert regions. The python favours rocky outcrops and will shelter in crevices, holes, hollows and termite mounds. In Central Australia, they are found along the MacDonnell Ranges, visitors to Simpsons Gap have seen them there during the evening tours, searching for frogs among other prey.

They are usually nocturnal, although they can sometimes be seen during the day. A ground snake, they can be found climbing trees.

They are typically a reddish-brown in colour, being darker on the upper surface, with dark blotches. The commonly named Stimson’s Python variant is stronger and more variable in colours, a reddish-brown (sometimes chocolate coloured blotches) against lighter tan.

They usually grow to about 1 metre, their length can vary, usually based on the polymorphic variant, although the availability of plenty of food and lack of other predators that feed on the python may allow for the python to grow slightly bigger.

They feed small mammals, frogs, lizards and birds, constricting the prey before swallowing it whole.

Whilst they are non-venomous, they can deliver a painful bite, although bites are more commonly food related. They can act aggressively or in a defensive nature, if feeling threatened.

Some varieties of Antaresia childreni are considered more feisty then others. They are a popular pet among especially among children and other snake enthusiasts.

Common name
Children’s python, Stimsons python, Large-blotched python.

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Suborder: Serpentes
• Family: Pythonidae
• Genus: Antaresia
• Species: Antaresia childreni

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SerpentesBlind Snake Central Carpet Python Children’s Python Stimson’s Python

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