New addition...

I picked up this unsexed Children's python last night ($25) from a photographer. From what I was told, the photographer is a reptile enthusiast and wanted a snake for a photo shoot, this was 3-4 years ago if I understood correctly. The prior owner just never came back or answered calls to pick up the snake. From the photos I was shown, it was an adult at the time it was acquired for the photos. I'm going to guess at least 5 years old at this point, but there is just know way to know.

"He" is very curious and chilled out from the limited holding I did prior to purchase. Since my upstairs is too hot to quarantine now, this guys is quarantined in my kitchen. Not ideal, but I'm not inclined to risk the rest of my collection because I don't have another free room. He has settled into a quarantine cage very well. No signs of mites or illness. I don't plan to handle much as I get him feeding. He's already on f/t per the information I was provided. We will see in a few days.
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Looks great, congratulations

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Very nice! I have no experience with Children's, but I've had a similar Aussie Spotted Python (female granite phase) for 10 years. She's always preferred f/t,
which is why her previous owner didn't want her. :rolleye2: She's easy to handle (no bites) also, great little pet...I hope yours turns out to be as nice & easy.

I had been looking into these a while back, but kept adding more bps instead. :rolleyes: I think he’s going to make a great pet if what I have seen so far remains the same. I’m rather glad I’m starting out with an adult...those babies are so tiny. Everything I read about these guys has been positive, so he should be a fun little snake to have.

I'm sure I won't be the only one enjoying your updates. :D

From my limited exposure to this type of snake, I have to wonder why they aren't more popular. They need more warmth than say
a corn snake, but mine doesn't even care if her food is heated to facilitate her ability to target...she has a vigorous appetite on f/t,
which she grabs from my feeding tongs. Hope yours is similar.

Mine does need, use & love her humid hide...without it, shedding is a mess. But that's no big deal to provide.

Good for you, very cool. Congratulations and best of luck.

Had him out for a few minutes tonight after I cleaned the other cages so I could arrange the thermostat probe. Seems to be very relaxed. No signs of mites or any illness. The only oddity is that he sometimes leaves a bit of drool behind when he rubs his face along my hand or arm. It definitely is not mucous, it's pure liquid, and he makes no noise breathing - no hissing, wheezing or clicking. I'll be keeping an eye out for any changes, and will obviously only handle him after I finish up with any of the rest of my collection. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7971d60f11.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...47fd45c3fa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9c4d0497f5.jpg

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Finally decided on a name...Dakota. Sufficiently gender neutral to allow him, or her, to retain their mystique. :D

Dakota ate his first large adult mouse for me Sunday evening. He did not appreciate the mouse dance, be it near or far. “Please drop it on the floor ma’am and leave me in peace.” A bit of nudging with the nose, check out both ends, look at the giant watching you through the glass, watch giant walk away. And a half hour or so later, there was no mouse and Dakota was tucked back in his warm side hide.

The guy I got him from said he fed him a medium rat about a month ago, though he said was aiming for a small rat. For once the big box store rat in the cardboard box was larger than advertised, which he didn’t know until getting it home. I figured I will start out with more appropriate sized prey using either large mice or weanling rats. Most everything I have read says they will never need larger than a small rat, and I’m not a big proponent of feeding oversized prey.

Gorgeous! Congrats!

Neat!

I love the Aussie critters!

That's odd about some water leaking from his face...maybe he drank water shortly before you picked him up?

How long is Dakota? Here I'll admit I haven't measured my spot. python in a long while, so I can only estimate she's about 3.5-4' long, but the largest she eats are
small mice/hoppers. I'm surprised at the size prey that your guy is taking, as I think they're similar size (your snake & mine).

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's odd about some water leaking from his face...maybe he drank water shortly before you picked him up?

How long is Dakota? Here I'll admit I haven't measured my spot. python in a long while, so I can only estimate she's about 3.5-4' long, but the largest she eats are
small mice/hoppers. I'm surprised at the size prey that your guy is taking, as I think they're similar size (your snake & mine).

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I thought the drool was kind of weird, too. :weirdface

I haven’t tried to measure him, but I’m guessing about three feet or a little better based on him cruising around in a 2’ long quarantine cage. The adult mice seem about the right size in my opinion, though the guy who previously had him was feeding small rats. The mice are the same size as those I feed my adult corn and Solomon Island ground boa. If he acts ravenous after a mouse or two, I might try the weanling rats some of my juvenile bps are on. They’re only slightly larger/longer than the adult mice. I’m planning to feed every two weeks like I do the majority of my adult snakes. He’s appears to be in good body shape, but maybe a bit chunky...his scales do appropriately overlap though.

Very awesome addition! I have seen them from time to time! The name always makes me laugh. Especially at a pet store cause you know most folks are like oh it’s a starter snake for children! Lol

i agree with you on the smaller or right size prey and not over sizing.

I odten play with my sizes until I find one that seems to suit the snake best

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phillydubs

Very awesome addition! I have seen them from time to time! The name always makes me laugh. Especially at a pet store cause you know most folks are like oh it’s a starter snake for children! Lol

i agree with you on the smaller or right size prey and not over sizing.

I odten play with my sizes until I find one that seems to suit the snake best

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I know it was someone's name but unfortunately it's a real source of confusion...and virtually no snake is a child's toy. :rolleyes:

Great looking critter! Congrats on the handsome new addition! I'm a big fan of Aussie snakes too. Judging from the size of him I'd feed him small rats and even a medium rat on occasion. A weaned rat would be the smallest meal I'd offer. Hope to see many more pics as he grows. :)

s/he is absolutely beautiful. what a great find!

Dakota has settled in well, handles well, feeding great...maybe a little too great. lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...400466125b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cfd33e5986.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8b84513276.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...69a3814e8d.jpg

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Nice looking snake. Glad s/he’s working out for you.

Obviously very "easy to feed"...:rofl:

Ouch!

She's looking really good!