Children's Python
Antaresia childreni
One of the smallest python species, native to northern Australia, and named not after children but after zoologist John George Children.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.7-1.0 m (2.3-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Northern Australia
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Overview
The Children's Python is a small, non-venomous constrictor native to northern Australia. Despite its common name, it is not named for young children but rather for John George Children, a British zoologist who described the species.
As one of the smallest members of the python family, it exemplifies the diversity in size found within the group, contrasting sharply with its much larger relatives.
How to identify it
- Small, slender to moderately stout body compared to larger pythons
- Brownish, reddish-brown, or grayish coloration with faint darker blotches or speckling
- Broad head with heat-sensing labial pits
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Distinguished from other small Australian pythons by subtle pattern and geographic range differences
Habitat & range
Found in rocky outcrops, savanna woodlands, and open forests across northern Australia. Often shelters in rock crevices, caves, or hollow logs during the day.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage. Feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, subduing prey through constriction. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying small clutches of eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Children's Python dangerous to children?
No, its name has nothing to do with being suited for children; it is named after zoologist John George Children.
Is it venomous?
No, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Where is it found?
It is native to rocky outcrops and woodlands across northern Australia.
How big does it get?
It is one of the smaller python species, typically reaching under one meter in length.
Children's Python guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Children's Python.
