Before bringing any reptile into your home, there are a few legal and practical steps to follow to ensure both your safety and the snake’s wellbeing.
1. Get Your NSW Native Animal Keeper’s Licence
In New South Wales, it is illegal to keep native reptiles without a valid licence. The Children’s Python is a Category 1 reptile, which means it can be kept on a basic licence. The process is straightforward:
Apply online via the NSW Department of Planning and Environment – Biodiversity & Conservation Division website.
Choose the Native Animal Keeper Licence (Companion Animal Class 1) — this covers most beginner-friendly reptiles including the Children’s Python.
As of 2025, the basic licence fee is approximately $50 for 2 years or $87 for 5 years.
You must be 16 or older, or have a parent/guardian co-sign the licence if you’re younger.
🔗 Apply here
One of the biggest mistakes new keepers make is buying the snake first, then rushing to get everything else in place. You should set up the enclosure at least 2 weeks before bringing your new snake home. This gives you time to test temperatures, monitor humidity, and ensure the setup is running smoothly.
🔲 Enclosure Size & Type:
For a juvenile Children’s Python:
Minimum size: 45cm x 30cm x 30cm enclosure
For adults: 60cm x 45cm x 45cm is generally suitable
Choose between:
Glass terrariums (popular, but may require more insulation)
Melamine enclosures (excellent heat retention, great for pythons)
PVC enclosures (lightweight, easy to clean, increasingly popular)
Always ensure the enclosure has lockable doors — snakes are escape artists.
🌡️ Heating & Temperature Gradient:
Snakes are ectothermic (cold-blooded), meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.
Basking/warm end: 32–34°C
Cool end: 24–26°C
Use a ceramic heat emitter or heat mat controlled by a reliable thermostat. Never guess temperatures — always use digital thermometers at both ends.
⚠️ Never use heat rocks — they can cause burns.
💧 Humidity & Ventilation:
Children’s Pythons are semi-arid species. Keep humidity between 30% and 50%. Too much humidity can lead to respiratory infections.
Provide fresh water in a bowl large enough for the snake to soak in.
Avoid spraying water unless shedding issues arise.
Ensure good airflow to prevent mold or fungus.
🛏️ Furnishings & Hides:
Snakes need places to feel secure, especially during the day when they’re less active.
At least 2 hides: one in the warm end, one in the cool end.
Add branches, logs, cork bark, or fake plants for enrichment.
Use newspaper, reptile carpet, aspen bedding, or paper towels as substrate. Avoid cedar or pine shavings (toxic).
🧪 Diet:
- Juveniles: feed 1 pinky or fuzzy mouse every 5–7 days
- Adults: feed 1 adult mouse every 10–14 days
Always thaw frozen mice to room temperature or slightly warm before feeding.
Feed in the enclosure — Children’s Pythons aren’t prone to feeding aggression like some species.
🧤 Handling:
Give your snake 5–7 days to settle after arriving in its new home before handling.
Start with 5–10 minute handling sessions every few days.
Avoid handling within 48 hours after a feed to prevent regurgitation.
Use gentle, confident movements and never grab your snake suddenly or restrain its head.
This is where many people go wrong. Pet stores and online marketplaces are flooded with reptiles, but not all are responsibly bred or healthy.
We recommend only purchasing from a licensed, experienced breeder who can provide:
- Proof of legal captive breeding
- Records of feeding and shedding
- Advice tailored to your setup
📞 Give us a call at Shire Snake Wranglers on 0428 458 856, and we’ll connect you with breeders we trust — and who follow strict ethical and legal guidelines.
- Routine health checks: Keep an eye on your snake’s weight, activity, shedding quality, and feeding response.
- Shedding issues? Ensure humidity is adequate and add a rough object like a rock to help the snake slough its skin.
- Keep records of feeding, sheds, and handling dates — especially helpful for beginners.
- Join the community: Local Facebook groups like Sutherland Shire Snake Sightings and reptile forums are great places to learn and ask questions.
- Never release captive snakes into the wild — it’s illegal and harmful to native populations.
We love seeing new keepers fall in love with reptiles — and we’re here to help every step of the way. Whether it’s choosing the right setup, finding a breeder, or offering advice down the track, Shire Snake Wranglers has your back.
Feel free to reach out via phone, message, or our website.
📞 Tyler – 0428 458 856
🌐 www.shiresnakewranglers.com.au