Antaresia Python Complex
The antaresia complex of pythons consist of the spotted, stimsons, childrens, and anthill pythons. They are the smallest pythons in the world. They are even tempered and are known to be good pets for beginner snake keepers. I keep breed the spotted and stimsons pythons. To my knowledge I am the only one who does so in Alaska.
-Size-
Their small size is one of the biggest draw for this species, in my opinion. Hatchlings are born between 5 and 10 inches long. Very, very small by common snake standards. They arent as fragile as one would think though. You may be curious how big they will get as adults. If youre like me, its always best to show and not tell. I hope to get video of my own adults up soon, but for now enjoy these youtube videos (not my own)which I feel give an accurate feel of their adult size.
- Adult Spotteds-
- Adult Stimsons-
-Care-
I go over in depth how I care for my snakes in general in the care page so do check that out. There is a section specifically devoted to mini pythons closer to the bottom. It goes over water dishes/hides/bedding etc. So ill include only that which is specific to mini pythons here.
-Housing-
Be sure to read this article on why inexpensive escape proof plastic containers (such as 6qt shoeboxes) are the superior method for housing reptiles than fish tanks. This especially applies to mini pythons.
If you must use a fish tank, a five gallon would be as large as you should go for a hatchling. You will need to find a way to secure the lid in a way that prevents a 5" snake from escaping though.
That may prove difficult, which is dangerous for your snake.
If you prefer the clarity of glass, but don’t have a rack system, please do consider a reptile critter keeper. These are escape proof, offer perfect clarity, and are often less expensive. They sell these at petco for $6.50. Believe it or not, this is a good size tank for a 5" snake.
-Heat-
The specifics of their cage environment are 75-80 on the cool side and 90 on the hot side. This isnt difficult to achieve at household temperature since their small cage requirements will often heat both sides to the proper temperature so long as you have provided the mandatory heat source. The smallest reptile heat pads are 4" x7" which is pretty much perfect. They are $14 at petco. You may have fidget with the placement of the heatmat to get the right temperature gradient. Often in small caging, it is better to mount the heat pad on the back wall than underneath. That is an option. It does not have to be underneath their belly. The important factor here is that there is a gradient in which the animal can choose for themselves what temperature to be at.
Feed and water-
This is discussed in depth in the care page, but to put it briefly you would want to pick up two of these feed dishes. They work as feed & water dishes, and hides. They cost $0.59 petco online, I think they are a dollar a piece in store though.
-Bedding-
I use the same reptichip that I use for other snakes with these guys, but if youd like to pick up a small batch at petco, this brick is the exact same thing I use in a smaller size, it costs $6.29. There would be nothing wrong with using one of these hermit crab bedding pucks though for a cheaper option, at $1.99. It’s the same thing only more finely ground, and in a smaller quantity. It expands and would cover a small critter keeper or 6 quart tub. The reason to use this bedding is that it will hold humidity naturally without molding. Mold is very much a bad thing for the lungs of your snake. Wood shavings do tend to mold quickly at 60% humidity. Odds are with just your water dish in a small tank you will (and should) get to that humidity range.
-Cage furnishings-
That’s all they need really, but feel free to add in some décor if you like. Stuff to climb on and in is never a bad idea. If its safe for fish, its safe for reptiles. A few leaves off a plastic vine is attractive addition. Have fun with it!
-Feed-
These guys never need to eat rats, even as adults. My fully grown female eats a large adult mice once a week. These guys do not have the reluctant kind of feed issues that cornsnakes and ball pythons tend to. I often can place a pinky mouse in their cup lined dishes, close the tub and they take care of the rest without any teasing. Its about as simple as feeding a dog. I like that. I think you will too. Many reptile keepers ship up their rodents at much less cost than petco's. I also do not mind selling defrosted pinkies to customers of mine. I offer them in packs of 12 (enough feed for 3 months) for $15.00 when available. For comparison, petco sells 12 pinky mice for $27.52, when they have them available, if that’s where youd like to get them from.
That’s about it for their care. Feed once a week, make sure they have water available, pretty standard stuff really.
-Now on to the fun stuff, enoy the pics!-
I go over in depth how I care for my snakes in general in the care page so do check that out. There is a section specifically devoted to mini pythons closer to the bottom. It goes over water dishes/hides/bedding etc. So ill include only that which is specific to mini pythons here.
-Housing-
Be sure to read this article on why inexpensive escape proof plastic containers (such as 6qt shoeboxes) are the superior method for housing reptiles than fish tanks. This especially applies to mini pythons.
If you must use a fish tank, a five gallon would be as large as you should go for a hatchling. You will need to find a way to secure the lid in a way that prevents a 5" snake from escaping though.
That may prove difficult, which is dangerous for your snake.
If you prefer the clarity of glass, but don’t have a rack system, please do consider a reptile critter keeper. These are escape proof, offer perfect clarity, and are often less expensive. They sell these at petco for $6.50. Believe it or not, this is a good size tank for a 5" snake.
-Heat-
The specifics of their cage environment are 75-80 on the cool side and 90 on the hot side. This isnt difficult to achieve at household temperature since their small cage requirements will often heat both sides to the proper temperature so long as you have provided the mandatory heat source. The smallest reptile heat pads are 4" x7" which is pretty much perfect. They are $14 at petco. You may have fidget with the placement of the heatmat to get the right temperature gradient. Often in small caging, it is better to mount the heat pad on the back wall than underneath. That is an option. It does not have to be underneath their belly. The important factor here is that there is a gradient in which the animal can choose for themselves what temperature to be at.
Feed and water-
This is discussed in depth in the care page, but to put it briefly you would want to pick up two of these feed dishes. They work as feed & water dishes, and hides. They cost $0.59 petco online, I think they are a dollar a piece in store though.
-Bedding-
I use the same reptichip that I use for other snakes with these guys, but if youd like to pick up a small batch at petco, this brick is the exact same thing I use in a smaller size, it costs $6.29. There would be nothing wrong with using one of these hermit crab bedding pucks though for a cheaper option, at $1.99. It’s the same thing only more finely ground, and in a smaller quantity. It expands and would cover a small critter keeper or 6 quart tub. The reason to use this bedding is that it will hold humidity naturally without molding. Mold is very much a bad thing for the lungs of your snake. Wood shavings do tend to mold quickly at 60% humidity. Odds are with just your water dish in a small tank you will (and should) get to that humidity range.
-Cage furnishings-
That’s all they need really, but feel free to add in some décor if you like. Stuff to climb on and in is never a bad idea. If its safe for fish, its safe for reptiles. A few leaves off a plastic vine is attractive addition. Have fun with it!
-Feed-
These guys never need to eat rats, even as adults. My fully grown female eats a large adult mice once a week. These guys do not have the reluctant kind of feed issues that cornsnakes and ball pythons tend to. I often can place a pinky mouse in their cup lined dishes, close the tub and they take care of the rest without any teasing. Its about as simple as feeding a dog. I like that. I think you will too. Many reptile keepers ship up their rodents at much less cost than petco's. I also do not mind selling defrosted pinkies to customers of mine. I offer them in packs of 12 (enough feed for 3 months) for $15.00 when available. For comparison, petco sells 12 pinky mice for $27.52, when they have them available, if that’s where youd like to get them from.
That’s about it for their care. Feed once a week, make sure they have water available, pretty standard stuff really.
-Now on to the fun stuff, enoy the pics!-
Stimsons
Spotteds