Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Homebody]

Meet Wiggles, my new Children's Python.

Wiggles was hatched on July 29, 2020. He was produced by Exotics Unlimited and sold as a pet to Steve Hager, a high-end hognose snake breeder in Maryland. Steve sold him to me to make room for additional projects. I picked him up last Saturday. After a quick introduction to the family, he's been adjusting to his new 3x2x2 enclosure, climbing on his branches...

and basking on his slate...
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Tonight, he took his first meal...
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I'm looking forward to spending many happy years together and sharing them with all of you.

[Bogertophis]

He's a handsome little guy, & I hope you have MANY happy years enjoying him. He looks very much at ease too- I'm sure he's enjoying his new home.

By the way, I think you made a great choice, getting a well-started young snake, rather than a hatchling. Not that a hatchling would have been 'difficult' but they're so much smaller, & you thought this guy was tiny, lol.

[Homebody]

I'm sure he's enjoying his new home.

Steve had him in 12 quart tub. I suppose breeders are always short on space. I figured out that my 3x2x2 works out to about 90 gallons, so it's a big change for him. I hope he enjoys it.

[Bogertophis]

Steve had him in 12 quart tub. I suppose breeders are always short on space. I figured out that my 3x2x2 works out to about 90 gallons, so it's a big change for him. I hope he enjoys it.

I'm sure he will- these aren't as shy as BPs, from what I've seen. When I got my Spotted python (Antaresia maculosa) she was a tiny yearling, & explored her new, much larger home in the same way yours is doing. And today, I just moved her into a larger tank, & she checked it all out, then drank some water, sat on her driftwood, then parked herself in her warm hide with her face & tail at the doorway, calmly checking out her new view for a while. These are very cool pythons. And they seem fairly smart as snakes go, which I think helps them adapt easier than some snakes do.

[Homebody]

...these aren't as shy as BPs, from what I've seen.

I would have been nervous putting a hatchling in such a large enclosure, but you, and I think some others, assured me that it wouldn't be an issue. And, of course, I didn't end up getting a hatchling.

[Albert Clark]

He looks really healthy and like he was waiting for you to pick him up from Steve. Congrats. I sense a perfect fit!

[Homebody]

By the way, I think you made a great choice, getting a well-started young snake, rather than a hatchling. Not that a hatchling would have been 'difficult' but they're so much smaller, & you thought this guy was tiny, lol.

A hatchling would have blown my mind, and made me way too nervous. They're so fragile.

[Bogertophis]

Well, just remember that these have heat-sensing pits too. I'm glad he took note of your scent to make sure you're not edible. Cute pic- I think you've picked a winner!

[Caitlin]

These little snakes are SO intelligent. I target train all of my snakes as a way of establishing trust, offering non-invasive interactions with me, and moderating the food response, among other reasons. But out of all of my snakes, it's the Antaresia and the Carpet Python (all of the Aussie pythons!) that have responded best and have become my best learners.

I had to chuckle over your game with Wiggles. Unlike any of my other snakes, both of my Children's pythons will always extend themselves forward when I open their enclosures and tongue-flick the tip of my nose. I don't know why they do it, but it's pretty cute.

[Homebody]

These little snakes are SO intelligent. I target train all of my snakes as a way of establishing trust, offering non-invasive interactions with me, and moderating the food response, among other reasons. But out of all of my snakes, it's the Antaresia and the Carpet Python (all of the Aussie pythons!) that have responded best and have become my best learners.

I'm not sure if I have the discipline to see it through, but I'm going to give target training a try. When I fed him this week, I paired the feeding with a target (a paint stirrer with a circle drawn on then end). His food response so far hasn't been a problem. He hasn't struck at or bitten me yet. I'm just sympathetic to the non-invasive approach. For the same reason, I'm also giving choice-based handling a try.