Children's Python hatchling

[Jonathan P]

I had the pleasure of attending the M.A.R.S. show in Timonium, MD this weekend. As I have experienced in the past it was again well organized and had some really great vendors.

I went to the show hoping to add a nice king snake to my small but growing collection. I was looking for either a black with a white stripe down the spine or high white with a black stripe.

After having the opportunity to check out the temperament of several beautiful specimens, all six of which defecated or musked on me. I took that to be the sign that now is not the time for me to have a king.

SO I turned my attention to finding a python or boa that would stay under 6 feet full grown.

I settled on a Children's python hatchling that has had 2 feedings of live pinks. The information the vendor provided was that it will reach 4 feet in length, can be kept just like a corn - as far as heat and humidity, it's spots with grow with him and sharpen, and that most people can't tell the difference between the spotted python and the Children's - the one I chose he swore was a Children's. Having dealt with boas before it sounded fairly ok, but the heat and humidity comments had me wondering. Everything I have found so far says - 2 to a max of 3 feet, the like higher heat and humidity, and the spots will fade possibly completely. :shrugs:

Does anyone have any thoughts on what the vendor told me, know much about these pythons, or can you suggest a good site for information on them.

I don't regret my purchase at all - she is nice and mellow, nice light colorations, and I will try after another day of acclimation to her new enclosure to see if she will take a frozen thawed pinkie. I just want to give her the best possible care and enclosure that I can.

Thanks for reading this.

 

[Checkerbelly]

Do you have any pictures of the snake? The vendor might have sold you a spotted python, calling it a Children's. Sometimes people use the names interchangeably. Not a big deal. They have the same care requirements. Besides, they're often bred together so you might have some kind of hybrid.

A spotted python will get 3 to 4.5 feet long and will retain it's pattern through adulthood.

A children's python will get 2.5 to 3.5 feet and it's pattern will fade. (sometimes they're called "faded pythons".

I have a spotted and I keep him in approx 50% to 60% humidity. I give him a humid hide at shedding time and he's never had a problem. I keep it in the high 80's on the warm side - up to 90 degrees. The cool side is in the low to high 70's. He never hides on the cool side so I'm thinking of jacking the temps up a bit. He's 3.5 feet long and I feed him every other week. He's been gaining weight this way. I think for a youngster you should feed every week. They like to cram themselves into tight places. Mine likes the clay flowerpot saucers.

This is the best caresheet I've found yet:

http://www.aussiepythons.net/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=17

Here's some other reading material:

http://www.reptilerooms.com/Sections index-req-viewarticle-artid-96-page-1.html

http://www.smuggled.com/chicom1.htm

http://cc.usu.edu/~jgjulander/ChildrensCare.html

http://archives.zinester.com/89677/65041.html

http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/20...ysource_site_extension=printer_friendly_pages

http://www.vhs.com.au/pages/Childrencare.html

Good luck!

 

[Jonathan P]

Here she is

So is she a Children's Python or a Spotted Python? We decided to name her Snickers. She joins Skittles (snow motley corn) and Starburst (albino nelson's milksnake).

 

[Dave123]

Im not an expert on pythons but i checked out some other pictures of childrens pythons and it looked like yours. Again im not sure but it is my best guess that it is a childrens python.

http://www.wildherps.com/images/herps/standard/020841_baby_python.jpg

Hope this works.

 

[Jonathan P]

Sent the last post too fast

I meant to add thank you very much for the sites and information you provided me. The information is very helpful. :wavey:

 

[Checkerbelly]

Glad I could help. I searched far and wide for reliable information when I got mine.

Your snake is a tough one. Looks like it could be a spotted or a children's. Also looks like a stimson's. People more knowledgable than I could tell by looking at the scales on it's head. Nice looking snake though.

Here is a link with some pictures of children's and spotted hatchlings.
http://www.eereptiles.com/pythons1.htm
In my opinion, your's looks like something in between.