| Common Name: | Pygmy Python |
| Scientific Name: | Antaresia perthensis |
| Family: | Pythonidae (Pythons) |
| Genus: | Antaresia |
| Status: | Secure – Category 4 |
| Size: | TL 620mm |
If you are purchasing reptiles in Western Australia, you must hold the required Category license for the animals you are purchasing.
The Pygmy Python is the smallest python species in the world. their colouration varies depending on region and habitat, they may be a reddish-brown (brick brown) to a sandy yellow/orange. Most have a pattern of darker flecks or blotches. patterns are very prominent in hatchling Pygmy pythons, but tend to fade as the animal ages.
Pygmy Pythons are endemic to Western Australia and are found from Goldsworthy in the north (Pilbara region) to North West Cape, south to Mullewa in the mid west, and eat to Wiluna. The Pygmy Python occurs in many different habitats, from Pilbara coastal sand plains dominated by spinifex grass, and woodlands to stony sandstone, granite, slate, iron stone and rocky breakaway areas. Pygmy Pythons can also be found around the gorges and caves within the Pilbara region. They can also be found sheltering in termite mounds.
Terrarium: Pygmy Pythons do not require an enclosure with very much height, however if given the correct environment with climbing enrichment they will explore their enclosure. The enclosure needs to be large enough to provide multiple hide rocks and maintain a thermal gradient, a terrarium that is 60x45x45cm (WxDxH) would be suitable to house a pair of mature Pygmy Pythons.
Lighting & heating: UVB lighting is not essential to Pygmy Pythons, however a low 2.0 spectrum fluorescent globe can be used for viewing purposes. Heating can be provided with a heat tile, mat or cord to maintain a ground surface temperature of 32°C in the hot spot. Ambient heat can be provided with an infrared heat globe to maintain a daytime temperature of 34°C in the warm end and 20°C in the cool end, on warmer days you may not need to turn on the heat globe as the ambient temperature of the enclosure may already be high enough. A thermometer should always be used to monitor the temperature within the enclosure.
Furnishings: It is important to provide your Pygmy Python with plenty of hide caves throughout, a water bowl at the cool end, and artificial plants will give coverage and decoration. Large Logs and vines can be used within the enclosure to provide climbing enrichment. A pet bedding wood chips such as Chipsi or Critter Crumble can be used as a substrate.
Food in captivity: All snakes in captivity must be fed dead food. A Pygmy Python will eat a variety of frozen and thawed mice and rats of appropriate sizes. On average they will have 1-2 food items every 7-10 days.
The essentials:
Foliage for shelter
