Keeping pythons as pets
A Calm, Fascinating & Surprisingly Perfect Family Pet
If your child has fallen in love with snakes after meeting one at a show, you may have heard the question:
“Can we get one?”
As someone who works with pythons every day, I can honestly say that when cared for properly, pythons can make wonderful family pets. They are calm, quiet, fascinating to observe and far easier to manage than many traditional pets.
For the right family, they can be an incredibly positive experience.
Why Pythons Make Great Pets
Pythons are not aggressive animals. In fact, most kept pet pythons in Australia — such as carpet pythons and children’s pythons — are known for their calm temperament when handled regularly and respectfully.
Unlike dogs, they don’t bark.
Unlike birds, they don’t screech.
Unlike many small mammals, they don’t smell.
They are clean, quiet and content in their enclosure, making them ideal for families who may not want the noise or daily demands of other pets.
For children especially, pythons can teach:
- Patience
- Gentle handling
- Responsibility
- Respect for wildlife
- Confidence around animals
And let’s be honest — there’s something special about having a pet that most of your friends don’t!
A Low-Maintenance Family Pet
One of the biggest surprises for parents is how low maintenance pythons are.
They don’t need daily walks.
They don’t require grooming.
They don’t need constant attention.
Most pythons eat once every 1–2 weeks (depending on age), and their enclosure cleaning is straightforward and manageable. With a properly set-up habitat that includes heating, hiding spaces and fresh water, they are very content.
Of course, like any pet, they require commitment and proper research — but many families find them easier to care for than expected.
Safe & Suitable for Children
When supervised properly, pythons can be very safe around children.
Teaching children how to approach, lift and support a snake correctly builds confidence and empathy. Many children who initially felt unsure about reptiles become calm and capable through gentle exposure and positive experiences.
It’s important that parents remain involved, especially with younger children, but a well-socialised python handled respectfully is typically very steady and predictable.
In fact, many children find holding a snake incredibly calming.
Learning Through Ownership
Keeping a python as a pet opens the door to real-world learning.
Children naturally become curious about:
- Habitat and environment
- Temperature and heating
- Diet and feeding
- Shedding and growth
- Australian wildlife laws and licensing
It turns science into something tangible and exciting.
Owning a python also encourages responsibility. Feeding schedules, enclosure checks and habitat care become shared family tasks — often something children take great pride in helping with.
Legal & Responsible Ownership
In Australia, keeping a python requires the appropriate reptile licence. This ensures responsible ownership and proper record keeping.
Buying from a reputable breeder and setting up a correct enclosure from the beginning is essential. When done properly, pythons thrive in captivity and can live for many years.
They are long-term pets — and for many families, they become a treasured part of the household.
Perfect for the Right Family
Pythons aren’t the right pet for everyone — but for families who appreciate wildlife, enjoy learning and want something unique, they can be perfect.
They are:
- Quiet
- Clean
- Calm
- Fascinating
- Surprisingly easy to care for
Most importantly, they create confidence.
I’ve seen countless children transform from nervous observers to proud, capable young snake owners. That sense of bravery and connection is something truly special.
If your child has fallen in love with pythons, it may be worth exploring the idea further. With the right setup, guidance and commitment, a python can be a gentle, captivating and very rewarding family pet.
Sometimes the most misunderstood animals turn out to be the most amazing companions of all.