1.
Q: Do snakes bite?
A: They most certainly can. A bite is not fatal and my personal thoughts are that it’s not as severe as a cat or dog bite. Most snake keepers will be bitten sooner or later. Losing the natural fear of a bite can take some time. Starting with a baby snake will help as their bites often don’t break the skin and you get used to the speed that they strike. They have very soft jaws and recurved teeth so don’t pull away or try to forcibly remove the snake as you risk injuring your animal. If a larger snake has latched on to your hand and refuses to let go, you can safely remove it by submerging it in a bucket of clean water, or placing the head beneath a running tap. Bites can be avoided by learning and being perceptive of your python’s behaviour and exercising common sense.
2.
Q: Which breed is best for my first snake?
*Antaresia Stimsoni and Morelia Spilota Imbricata are currently the only offered pythons on Category 3 licences. If you wish to progress to Category 4 snakes you must have held a Category 3 python on your licence for at least 12 months.*
A: No one can answer this question but you. In saying that, knowing the general differences between the breeds may help you make a decision.
Activity: Generally speaking, Carpet pythons (M.S.Imbricata) are more active during daylight hours and make a slightly better display animal because of this behaviour whereas Stimsons pythons are rarely active during the day. Both pythons are active at night.
Size: Carpets grow considerably larger than Stimsons pythons and therefore will need a larger enclosure when fully grown. The other factor based on this is food – obviously a larger animal will require larger food items and be slightly more expensive.
Appearance: Everyone likes something different and a wide range of colour morphs are available in both species in the pet trade.
Temperament: Young carpet pythons on the whole can be more defensive compared with a stimsons hatchie, however this behaviour usually dissipates over time.
3.
Q: Can I buy a python outside WA?
A: Currently no. Pythons cannot be imported to WA from other states in Australia or overseas. Pythons can be exported to other states from WA though.
4.
Q: Can I take the snake off my property?
A: Regulations only allow you to take your snakes off your property if you are either seeing a vet or a licensed dealer. Once the animal leaves the boundary of your property, you are violating your licence. This includes: local parks, friends’ houses, taking a snake to someone’s house to sell it, photography studios, etc etc.
5.
Q: Can I feed my snake live food?
A: No, this is another condition on your licence. Reptiles in your care must be fed dead prey items. Frozen rodents are available through a range of suppliers including independent rodent breeders and pet shops.
6.
Q: Are they poisonous/venomous?
A: No. Though they can bite and have many small sharp teeth, pythons do not have any venom.
7.
Q: Can I put my snake hatchling inside the large enclosure I just bought?
A: It is advisable not to do so. Large enclosures can appear threatening to small snakes and young pythons who will often choose the security and safety of their hide above seeking heat, food or water. Overly large enclosures are a common cause of defensive behaviour when a python does not feel secure enough in its environment.
8.
Q: Do snakes drink water?
A: Yes they do – they drink from their mouth but can also absorb water through their skin by soaking in their water bowl. Providing a water bowl with fresh water in a bowl big enough for them to soak in is advisable. Snakes will refuse stale water; frequent changes are recommended.
9.
Q: Can I use sand as a substrate?
A: No, this is another licence restriction. Sand can harbourage diseases and parasites and is therefore a banned substrate for pythons. Click here for more information on what substrates you can use.
10.
Q: When do I need to send in my Annual Return Sheets to DPaW?
A: Within 15 days of the “Valid From” date on your licence. Even if you have no reptiles on your licence, you need to submit your returns sheet declaring that you have no animals. There is a sample of how to complete your return sheet from DPaW here.
11.
Q: Can I keep two pythons together?
A: This is a widely debated topic among keepers and as a general rule keeping pythons separate will amount to zero deaths or injuries.
Having said that, Morelia Spilota Imbricata have been known to live peacefully together in appropriately sized enclosures so long as plentiful basking and hide spots are provided and individuals are removed from the enclosure and fed separately.
Antaresia Stimsoni are commonly kept together in the hobby but there are more recorded cases of injuries and deaths with this species when housed together.
It is inadvisable to keep the Aspidites genus together considering their natural diet of reptiles (including snakes) and their voracious appetites.
12.
Q: What type of hide do I need?
A: Hides should be only just large enough to fit the python – they like to feel pressure on at least 3 sides. The hide should be of an opaque material so the python can retreat from the light. You can offer a range of hides – your python will show you which one it likes best.
13.
Q: Can I keep the enclosure in my bedroom?
A: No. Regulations state that reptiles must not be kept in bedrooms or bathrooms/ensuites. This is solely so DPaW can inspect the animals and where they are being kept. Bedrooms and bathrooms are considered private areas and without a warrant DPaW can not enter these rooms. A spare bedroom with no bed in it can be used to keep reptiles. Enclosures are also fine in living areas and studies.
14.
Q: Do snakes smell?
A: The animal itself has little to no odour. Snake faeces are fairly pungent however and the smell gets worse the longer they’re left inside the enclosure. Enclosures that are maintained regularly should have very little or no odour at all.
15.
Q: What’s the white stuff in the snake poo?
A: The white substance is referred to as urates- concentrated urine in a solid form. When dry it is white and chalky. Though there can be some liquid discharged with fecal matter, it is not urine. Snakes have urates that are solid.
16.
Q: Can I put my snake out in the sun?
A: Yes and No. Heat will kill a snake much quicker than the cold. Never leave your snake unattended and be aware of the conditions and temperature. I often take my snakes outside for a stretch on a grassed area in the back yard. Be careful of hot surfaces. And don’t put them anywhere that has been treated with pesticides, fertilisers or harmful substances.
17.
Q: Is it okay to keep my snake near the window?
A: For similar reasons as stated above, it is inadvisable to keep the enclosure next to a window or in a position where it will receive natural sunlight, inadvertently heating the enclosure. Enclosures are carefully regulated to provide a range of temperatures and anything that effects these temperatures should be avoided.
18.
Q: Is it okay to take the snake outside on my own property?
A: Yes. You’re allowed to take your snake outside as long as you remain on your property. It is not advisable to take them out the front. Advertising to the street that you have snakes is not a good idea. Plus it is inconsiderate of those who may have a fear of snakes. Reptile theft is not uncommon.
19.
Q: Why have my snake’s eyes gone all cloudy?
A: The python is entering the shed/slough cycle. The eyes will clear a day or two before the python sheds its skin.
20.
Q: Can I handle my snake while it is in slough (shed)?
A: It’s advisable not to handle your python while it is in the shed cycle – sloughing can be uncomfortable and the python’s vision is temporarily reduced which can put it on edge. The general mood of a sloughing python, put in human terms, is “cranky”. Having said that, if the enclosure needs attention, the python can be gently relocated to a holding tub or a bag while you clean it out and then returned. Angling the sloughing python toward its favoured hide hole will result in minimal disturbance.
21.
Q: Why is my snake refusing food?
A: This question has a whole range of answers. If the python is new, it could be stressed from the environmental change or too frequent handling. The other causes could be ineffective heating – the python is receiving incorrect temperatures to its requirements and has become stressed.
WA Python Care 