Children's Python - Female

Application to Purchase Required - live animal purchases require a review of your setup. After placing your order, a Customer Care Specialist will reach out to review your husbandry and habitat. Approval for purchase is NOT guaranteed and if denied, the order may be cancelled. Upon approval, you will receive a link to set up a shipping date for your live animal. All animals ship via Fed Ex overnight.

Species Overview

Common Name: Children’s Python
Scientific Name: Antaresia childreni
Size: Dependent on the individual animal listed
Adult size: Usually 3’-3.5’

Sex: Female

Lineage: Parents acquired from multiple private breeders. These are F1s of our established mixed lineage line.

Hatch date: 6/8/25

Diet: Frozen thawed rodents only - Feeding schedule provided after purchase 

In-house testing/treatment

Each snake is carefully evaluated in-house for:

• Nido Virus
• Clean fecal
• No retained eyecaps or incomplete shed
• Healthy body condition score
• Only animals meeting our standards are made available for purchase

Defining Traits

• Keeper level: Beginner to Expert. Hardy, predictable, and smaller in size, making them an excellent species for beginner keepers while still enjoyable for advanced keepers.
• Temperament: Active, inquisitive, and generally docile. This species is known to utilize all available space within the habitat and can become very confident with regular handling.
• Biological niche: Primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, though they will climb, bask, and burrow when given the opportunity. In the wild they inhabit rocky outcrops, caves, savannahs, and dense forested areas.
• Native Range: Northern Australia. Commonly found among rocky outcrops, savannah, dense forests, and caves.
• Kept as individuals only. Pairs should only be introduced during breeding season. While there are reports of cannibalism within Antaresia, we have never observed this behavior at The Bio Dude.
  

Care at a Glance

Vivarium size

• Neonates and yearlings can thrive in an 18” cube or 20 gallon long habitat. Adults require a minimum 40 breeder enclosure (36”x18”), though a 4’x2’x2’ enclosure is strongly recommended for this active and inquisitive species.
• Deep substrate utilizing a 70% Terra Firma and 30% Terra Sahara mix is recommended to create a naturalistic, rocky savannah environment with burrowing and microclimate opportunities.
• Large cork flats, driftwood, rock slabs, sturdy climbing branches, and sheltered retreats should all be incorporated into the habitat. This species benefits from multiple elevated basking and hiding opportunities.

Temperature

• Provide a broad thermal gradient with a hotspot between 90-100F and a cool side between 75-80F. Nighttime temperatures may safely drop between 65-75F.
• Overhead heating is strongly recommended, along with thermostat-controlled heating equipment to ensure thermal safety.

Arcadia ShadeDweller Max UVB is recommended.

Humidity

• Ambient humidity should remain around 40%, with short daily humidity spikes reaching up to 80%, particularly during morning hours.
• A consistently humid microclimate should always be available within the enclosure. Light evening misting can help maintain microclimate diversity without oversaturating the habitat.

Diet

• Frozen / thawed rodents only. Never fed live.

Recommended Bioactive Setup 

• Terra Firma X Terra Sahara substrate mix (70/30)
• Deep substrate with mixed biodegradables including Sugar Cane Bagasse, Colombian Leaves, Palm Bark, and cork bark pieces
• Natural hardscape with cork bark, driftwood, heavy rock slabs, and climbing structures
• Open basking areas combined with sheltered retreats and secure hiding locations
• Strong cross-ventilation and seasonal light cycling are highly beneficial

Recommended clean up crew: Arid Springtails and Powder Blue Isopods. For neonates under 6 months of age, avoid utilizing isopods due to the possibility of predation on very small animals by protein-hungry species.

Dense planting with hardy arid and semi-arid species can be utilized, though sturdy plants are preferred due to the active nature of this species.

Caresheet & Resources

Full caresheet:

Click here for caresheet

View Antaresia childreni on the IUCN List

Important Policies (Please Read Before Purchasing)

After purchasing, upload your habitat for approval here: 

After approval, we will email you the animal purchase contract found here

Read our Live Arrival Guarantee prior to purchasing here

Scheduling:

We care about long-term success. All live animals require a scheduled shipping date set after the approval process.  To book your shipping day, click here.