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The Children's python (''Antaresia childreni'') is a species of Python that lives in northern Australia , specifically in the region spanning along the coast between The Kimberleys in Western Australia to Mt. Isa in North Western Queensland. This python was discovered by John Gray, who named it in honour of his mentor, one John George Children , who was a curator of the zoological collection at the British Museum in the 19th Century . GENUS The Children's python is part of the '' Antaresia '' genus, which has four members, including the two smallest python species in the world. The four members were all originally thought to be Children's pythons, and were included in the '' Liasis '' genus, along with the Water python ('' Liasis Fuscus '' - now ''L. mackloti'') and the Olive python ('' Liasis Olivaceus ''). The other species of ''Antaresia'' are the Spotted python ('' Antaresia Maculosa '' - sometimes referred to as "maccies"), the Stimson's python ('' Antaresia Stimsoni ''), and the smallest known python, the Pygmy python ('' Antaresia Perthensis ''). DESCRIPTION The Children's python is a small snake, with an average adult length of about 90 cm, but can reach up to 1.1 meters. It is an egg layer that has up to 25 eggs in a clutch. Juvenile Children's pythons are heavily blotched but gradually become reddish brown or brown as they grow. The color depends on the area in which they live. Jungle versions are a browny green. The scales on the body are small and smooth in contrast to the large scales on the top of his head, and have a rainbow sheen when in direct sunlight. BEHAVIOUR Female pythons differ from many other snakes in that they brood their eggs through the seven week incubation period by coiling around them and occasionally shivering to keep them warm, which also allows the mother to protect them from predators. They feed on reptiles, birds and small mammals, particularly microbats. To catch these bats, the snakes dangle from the stalactites in caves, which they commonly inhabit, and snatch them out of the air as they fly past. CHILDREN'S PYTHONS IN CAPTIVITY This species of python is considered to be one of the best pet pythons for beginners, along with the Murray Darling or Inland Carpet python (''Morelia spilota metcalfei''), due to its good nature and the fact that they are very easy to handle and set up properly. They live on average 25 to 30 years depending on the level of care they receive, although they have been known to live considerably over that. They are approximately $200 - $350 each, however the cost of the entire setup must be considered, so an eventual cost of up to $1000 (snake included) is not uncommon. Ownership of this snake within Australia requires a licence from the relevant fauna authority in the state the snake is to be kept in. In captivity, juvenile Children's pythons are fed on pinkies (baby, hairless mice) but as they mature they can be fed on larger adult mice or small rats. It is common for these snakes to only eat one to two mice a week. It is also common for the snake to become inactive after feeding, settling in a warm, sheltered location to digest its meal. These snakes are prone to obesity in captivity, so if fed weekly, the meals should be small. SOURCES |
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