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.

[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]

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]

I’m starting to understand what others mean when they say Antaresia are more aware and interactive than other snakes. As Wiggles is still settling in, rather than handling him, I’ve been opening his enclosure and just sitting by the opening. Yesterday, Wiggles came over to investigate the fresh air, I suppose. Not wanting him to leave the enclosure, I slowly put my hand up to block his progress. He stopped. I slowly pulled my hand back. He advanced again. This time not toward the open air but toward my hand. I got worried thinking that he was confusing my fingers for food. So, I got up and quickly put hand sanitizer on my hands and returned. This time when he smelled my finger he recoiled slightly. He advanced again, smelled my finger, and recoiled again. We did this a few times. It became a game of sorts. Then I put my face closer to the enclosure. He advanced again this time toward my face. I started to wish I’d put hand sanitizer on my nose and I pulled back. Then, this became the game. I even let him boop my snoop. Still not sure if he was investigating my nose as food, I decided to end the game there. I wanted to keep our time together positive for both of us. I can’t remember ever interacting with my bp in quite this way. I would give my bp games to play and watch him play them, but I don’t remember him ever playing a game with me.

[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.