snake falling from branch

[major]

Ive just relocated my 7 mnth old childrens to its new home, its gone from a 2ft by 2ft home to a 6ft high 2ftx2ft wide enclosure. Its new home has a branch from the floor to the roof with its hide 3/4 the way up. The problem has been ive seen it fall from the branch twice now, he only feel about 6 inches, but wanted to know if this is normal? i dont think it is hurt because it just keeps looking around after he falls
cheers Brett

[Rennie]

I don't think a 6 inch fall will hurt it, 6 feet might though.

Personally I would lay that enclosure on its side to give it 6 feet of length not height, I've heard that Childrens Pythons don't tend to spend too much time climbing, but anyway.

[boa]

Most of the problem is that childreni are a terrestrial snake so you have pretty much kept it's tank he same size as there is no way in the world the snake will take advantage of a 6 foot high cage.
That cage would be ideal for a Jungle but is complete overkill for a 7 month old childreni. It will do equally well in a 10 litre plastic box but the original cage sounds ideal for it.

[jessop]

yar what rennie said, my DP can be clumsy at times too, he has fallen 6in+ and is in perfect health. maybe lower his perch a bit if you're worried... 6 inches shouldn't hurt 8 might...

[SNKMST]

I am going to go with boa on this one that enclosure is definatly overkill for that python the original enclosure would be a perfect size.

[major]

DAM... i thought i got a great deal and was doing something good for my snake..guess i was wrong. Well that means i have to rethink and remake the NEW enclosure i made for him,
thanks for the help everyone
cheers

[snakes4me2]

Thats a good excuse for another snake now major just to fit that big new home

[Pythoninfinite]

Yep, 6x2x2 is FAR too big for any Antaresia, even as adults. Too much space causes them a lot of stress, and because of the difficulty in heating such a space, your snake will be getting too cold and losing coordination in most of the cage. They are primarily ground living, secretive snakes and do very well in smaller spaces. In fact your pet could happily live it's entire life in the 2x2 you've had it in. Large cages are very hard to manage environment-wise, but it is easier for very large snakes because their greater mass allows them to retain body heat etc.

Bigger is not always better for snake cages.

Jamie.

[Nagraj]

Originally Posted by Pythoninfinite

Yep, 6x2x2 is FAR too big for any Antaresia, even as adults.

How do they ever get on in the wild?

[Pythoninfinite]

In the wild they have far more choices of THEIR OWN, they can pick the microhabitats which actually suit THEM best, they are not forced to live in a space which WE think suits them best. Small snakes are secretive because they are vulnerable. Of course you can keep anything in whatever you like, but anyone with any experience, especially with juvies, will tell you that small snakes in large enclosures mostly do not thrive. It is one of the fundamentals of snake keeping/breeding.

Jamie.

[boa]

I agree juveniles do best in a small confined space. Years ago people used to make the mistake with wild caught Blood Pythons of putting them in big spacious cages and they often failed to feed, when they were put in a cage which seemed barely big enough for them to turn around in they would thrive.

[major]

so even if he was fully grow is that size enclosure to big?

[boa]

Yes. It is also totally the wrong shape but a 6 foot cage is way too big.

[peterescue]

unless you put the enclosure on its side

[Pythoninfinite]

Even at 6ft wide, rather than high, it's far too big for an Antaresia, although you can better manage the thermal gradient with a horizontal cage.

J.