Also known as the anthill python, the pygmy python is the smallest python in the world.
This snake makes its home in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia. It’s one of four species in the Antaresia genus, also known as Children’s pythons.
Amazing Facts About the Pygmy Python
- They often den together in termite mounds with other species including king brown snakes and Stimson’s pythons.
- The Pygmy python is only about 6 inches long when it hatches and maxes out at 20 inches as an adult.
- They’re solitary except during breeding season when males follow the females’ pheromone trails.
Where to Find a Pygmy Python
Pygmy pythons live in the Pilbara region of Western Australia – the hottest and dryest part of the continent. They are nocturnal and spend their days sheltering under Spinifex grasses, inside termite mounds, or under crevices in rock outcrops. In fact, they spend the majority of the daylight hours hidden in a shelter to keep out of the blazing sun.
These snakes often share large termite mounds with several other species that include Stimson’s/Children’s python, black-headed pythons, Pilbara geckoes, and others.
Termite mounds offer protection from extreme daytime heat and a consistent temperature during the daylight hours. The temperature inside can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a nearly perfect temperature for many of the cold-blooded species that use the mounds.
Diet & Reproduction
Scientists don’t know much about these snakes’ behavior in the wild. They’re tiny and difficult to observe. However, they have been seen eating small geckos; presumably, as they grow, they take progressively larger prey. They are good climbers that can be found in the branches of shrubs and small trees but seem to spend a lot of time underground.
Pygmy pythons are similar to other small snakes in that multiple males and females move about together. Scientists believe that this “pairing behavior” occurs because the females are leaving a pheromone trail that the males follow.
After mating, females lay 2-6 eggs and curl around them to help incubate the eggs until hatching. The eggs hatch after about 2 months in captivity, so it’s probably similar in the wild. The hatchlings are independent after hatching and the mother doesn’t appear to offer any further help or protection.
Pygmy Python Scientific Name
The Antaresia genus is named after Antares, a red giant star in the constellation Scorpio. Their specific name, perthensis, refers to Perth, but Stull made this mistake made in 1932 when he first described it. He thought that the type specimen had come from Perth. However, the species doesn’t occur there at all.
Pygmy Python Population and Conservation
This species is widespread, even though it has a relatively small range compared to other Australian python species. According to the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species, they’re an animal of “least concern” and have a stable population. Australia stopped allowing the export of their native species in 1999. However, before their government banned export, enough were already in the collections of breeders in other countries that they became readily available to snake enthusiasts.
Pygmy pythons are listed under Appendix II of CITES and occur in several protected areas within their range. The biggest threats they have are encounters with people and vehicles, and the snakes are the unfortunate victims in these situations.
Identifying the Pygmy Python: Appearance and Description
Pygmy pythons only grow to about 20 inches long, making them the smallest python in the world. They tend to have a reddish head and redder base color than their sister species, the Children’s python and spotted pythons. As juveniles, these snakes have irregularly shaped spots that tend to fade as the snakes mature.
These snakes have large symmetrical scales on their distinctly python-shaped heads. Their eyes are usually similar to their body in color and have elliptical pupils. Like most pythons, pygmy pythons have heat-sensing labial pits that help them find prey in the dark. Their scales are smooth and glossy, with an iridescent sheen in the sunlight.
This species often takes shelter in large termite mounds with other snake species.
©iStock.com/Ken Griffiths
Pictures and Videos of Pygmy Pythons
Also called anthill pythons, these snakes sometimes travel in small groups.
©iStock.com/Ken Griffiths
This species is the smallest python in the world.
©reptiles4all/Shutterstock.com
Are Pygmy Pythons Dangerous?
Given their tiny size and the fact that pygmy pythons are not venomous – there’s no danger from them. This species is not likely to bite and their mild-mannered disposition makes them very pleasant to handle. Even though these pythons are small, they do help limit the population of animals that can become pests.
Pygmy Python Behavior and Humans
While rare in the pet trade outside of Australia, pygmy pythons are terrific first snakes. Their living requirements are pretty easy to replicate and they’re somewhat tolerant of not-quite-perfect conditions.
These snakes are difficult to get started after they hatch, however, because in nature they feed on cold-blooded prey. The hatchlings often don’t want to eat mice and breeders have to teach them. As a result, this is often a more expensive breed, because a responsible breeder takes several months with the hatchlings to be sure they’re eating well.
Similar Animals
Check out a few other pythons to learn more about these amazing creatures.
- Carpet Python – find out why they’re called carpet pythons.
- Children’s Python – they’re not really just for kids.
- Woma python – an Australian native, these pythons are beautiful.
