Frequently Asked Questions

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The first step towards owning your very own reptile is getting your license.

In Australia a license is required in order to own native reptiles & amphibians. 

Different states have different rules & regulations for keeping, breeding and selling. It's important to read this information thoroughly so you are aware of the current requirements for your state.

In Australia it is illegal to keep, buy or sell reptiles & amphibians without the appropriate license. It is also illegal to keep, buy or sell any reptiles or amphibians that are not native to Australia. 

To apply for a reptile & amphibian license see below by state;

QLD- https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/wildlife-permits/permit-types/keeping-native-animals/how-to-apply

NSW- https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-native-animal-keeper-licence

VIC- https://www.vic.gov.au/private-wildlife-licences

SA- https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/wildlife-permits

TAS- https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/living-with-wildlife/reptiles-in-captivity/herpetology-in-tasmania

WA- https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants-and-animals/licences-and-authorities?showall=1

NT- https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/wildlife-permits

Once you have obtained your license it's research time!

Have a look at our other FAQ's for some research guidance.

Some pythons can live up to 30 years in captivity. For this reason we always direct keepers to get the species that they fall in love with. Temperament is dependant on individual animal and not species as a whole. Some things to take into consideration when picking your first animal are;
- Adult size
- Diet
- Husbandry
- Adult enclosure size

- Is the animal established? (10 unassisted feeds or more)

There are many different species of python in Australia. Here we will list some of the most common species & sub-species available in the hobby today. Some come in various colour and pattern mutations.

Not all species are allowed to be kept in all states- check your allowed species list on your license for animals that can be kept in your state. 

Morelia;
1: Bredli Python- Morelia bredli

2: Green tree python- Morelia viridis

3: Rough scaled python- Morelia carinata

4: Western carpet python- Morelia imbricata

Morelia spilota- (Sub species of Morelia);

1: Diamond python- Morelia spilota spilota

2:Jungle python- Morelia spilota cheynei

3: Coastal python- Morelia spilota mcdowelli

4: Murray darling python- Morelia spilota metcalfei

5: Darwin python- Morelia spilota variegata

Antaresia;

1: Children's python- Antaresia childreni childreni

2: Stimpson python- Antaresia childreni stimsoni

3: Spotted python- Antaresia maculosa

4: Pygmy python- Antaresia perthensis

Aspidites;

1: Black-headed python- Aspidites melanocephalus

2: Woma Python- Aspidites ramsayi

Liasis;

1: Water python- Liasis fuscus

2: Olive python- Liasis olivaceus olivaceus 

Simalia;

1: Scrub python- Simalia amethistina

Nyctophilopython;

1: Oenpelli python- Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis 

We want the best for our animals in their new homes. By sending us through a proof of set up this allows us to troubleshoot any issues with owners before their newest edition comes home. Making the transition just that little bit less stressful on animals in their new homes.

A snakes temperament is based off the individual animal and not the species as a whole. As a general rule younger animals are more snappy due to thinking that everything around them is a potential predator. Our priority is getting the young one's established and feeding. This means all new owners should expect to get bitten. This is part of the fun of owning a snake and building trust with your new animal. 

There are a few things to have ready prior to bringing your new python home they are;

1: Check the python is established *10 unassisted feeds min

2: Exchange license details with the seller.

3: Having your set up ready and turned on prior is an important step to ensuring your temperatures are correct. *You can buy temperature guns on eBay that make this easy to keep track of.*

4: Ensure setup is in a low traffic area of the house that is out of direct sunlight.

5: Make sure you have food.

6: Check if you will need a travel container.

7: Have your local reptile vet's details on hand in case of emergency.

We recommend a 7ltr sistema tub, 5-7 watt heat mat, Hide, water bowl and a perch to start. Have a look at our Jungle Carpet Python care sheet for further instructions. 

We recommend that hot spots are between 30-33 degrees this ensure's that your animal is able to thermoregulate and digest prey. 

Moving house is a stressful time! It's no different for our slithery friends.

When first getting your newest family member home it is best to put them straight into their set up and leave them to settle in for at least 1 week and 1 feed.

Once they are settled and eating you can start handling. 

If your animal stops feeding after this. Stop handling until feeding consistently in your care. Once this is occurring you can reintroduce short periods of handing for 5 mins a day, gradually increasing as long as your animal keeps feeding.

Continued feeding issues may indicate keeper error, incorrect set up, incorrect placement of set up or in some cases sickness. 

There is nothing more stressful for owners than having a new animal that will not eat or an animal currently in your care that won't eat!

When younger animals stop eating suddenly this can be an indication of stress, keeper error, incorrect set up, incorrect temps, faulty equipment or if all of the before mentioned has been ruled out it could indicate sickness. 

Occasionally younger pythons will go off food when the weather starts to cool down however if the keeper notes that the animal is starting to lose condition ie loose skin, able to see back bone or ribs, is lethargic or begins to show signs of sickness ie mouth gaping, discharge from the nose or mouth a vet trip is warranted and you should take your little one in for a vet check.

It is normal for older pythons (1 Year +) to stop eating as the weather starts to cool down heading into winter this period is called Burmation. It is also when mature animals that are winter breeders start looking or a mate. Males may exhibit "pacing" like activity in this time and may look like they are trying to escape their enclosures.

Most older animals will resume feeding when the weather starts to warm up, but as above if your animal is refusing to eat for an extended period after this and is losing condition or showing any signs of sickness a vet trip is in order.

Of course! We love getting updates of our guys in their new homes! Please jump over and join our Zemac Reptiles Group on fb where we have a little community of Zemac owners!