Children's python (Antaresia childreni) is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is named after John George Children. It is a nocturnal species occurring in the northern half of Australia and generally found on the ground, although it often climbs trees. Usually growing to about 1.0 m (3 ft) in length or more depending on the polymorphic variant, it is typically a reddish-brown colour, darker on the upper surface, and with many darker blotches, especially on younger specimens. The Stimson's python variant has much stronger and more variable colors; often being adorned with reddish-brown to chocolate blotches against lighter tan. It feeds mostly on small mammals and birds, and as with other pythons, it constricts its prey before swallowing it whole. It is a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts.
Children's python is an Australian nonvenomous snake named after zoologist John George Children. The upper surface of the snake is brown with darker spots in five or six longitudinal series in the type variant. A dark streak on each side of the head passes across the eye. The scales on the upper surface of the body are small and smooth, with a rainbow sheen that can be seen when exposed to direct sunlight. Its lips are yellowish, spotted with brown and the lower surface of the snake is uniformly yellowish. The Stimson's python which is considered a polymorphic variant of the Children's python has much stronger and more variable colors; often being adorned with reddish-brown to chocolate blotches against lighter tan.
Children's pythons are found in the extreme north of Western Australia, the northern third of the Northern Territory, and northern Queensland, and also on the islands of the Torres Strait. The Stimson's python variant is found throughout an even greater range; it occupies much of the interior of Australia, from Queensland to Perth. These snakes live in a variety of natural habitats, including forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, freshwater wetlands and plantations, and pasturelands.
Children's pythons spend their time singly and come together only to mate. These snakes are generally found on the ground, although they often climb trees. They hunt by night and constrict their prey before swallowing it whole. The favorite prey item of Children's pythons are microbats; pythons catch them by dangling from stalactites in caves, which they commonly inhabit, and snatch them out of the air as they fly past.
Children's pythons have a carnivorous diet that includes reptiles, birds, and small mammals, particularly microbats.
The mating system of Children's pythons is unknown. Males in captivity have been seen to fight over females, suggesting these snakes will fight for mates in the wild. However, combat in wild individuals of this species has never been witnessed. When the males fight, they use their spurs to scratch their opponents, and will also strike and bite one another until one submits. Female Children's pythons are oviparous and lay 7 to 25 eggs per clutch. They brood their eggs through a seven-week incubation period by coiling around them and occasionally shivering to keep them warm; this also affords the eggs some protection from predators. Young pythons are heavily blotched but gradually become reddish-brown or brown as they mature.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to IUCN, the Children's python is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
