Ball Python
Ball pythons are a species of python and probably the most popular snake in the world. They are native to West and Central Africa. They can be found in grassland and open forests in the region.
This is the smallest of the African pythons; they are stocky and have small heads with smooth scales on one or both sides of their ventral spines.
During ancient times, rulers had snakes in their jewelry and wore them as part of their clothing, so they are known as the royal Pythons in honor of this.
Characteristics of Ball Python
This type of snake belongs to the genus Python, which is within the kingdom of Animalia, phylum of Chordata, and the class of Reptilia. It has a lifespan of about 10 to 25 years.
Color
Python ball is usually black, dark brown, or light brown in color with golden brown or gold sides, and some dark brown blotches on the dorsal surface. They have a white or cream-colored belly, which may contain a few scattered markings.
Length
Among the African pythons, they are one of the smallest species, reaching a maximum length of 180 centimeters.
- Female- The average size of the female is 116 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the vent, with a 44mm jaw and an 8.6 cm tail.
- Male- The male ball pythons are smaller than the female ball pythons. The average size of the male is 110cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the vent, with a 43mm jaw and an 8.5 cm tail.
Weight
The females of this species are larger and heavier than the males of the Ball Python.
- Female- The maximum weight of a female ball python is 1.600 kilograms.
- Male- The maximum weight of a male ball python is 1.500 kilograms.
Reproduction
In the wild, male ball pythons can breed at 600g or more, whereas female ball pythons can breed at a weight of 800g.
Female ball pythons are oviparous, which means they lay eggs. They lay 2 to 10 large leathery eggs. The female ball pythons after breeding lay between two and ten large leathery eggs. They lay them below ground, wrap themselves around them, and incubate them for approximately two months before hatching the eggs. Then they hatch their eggs. Then after Hatchling, the female leaves them to take care of them independently, and then parental care ends.
Behavior
In the wild, ball pythons are generally solitary and nocturnal animals. During the day, they prefer to hide in dark places, while at night, they hunt for their prey. Males tend to live more in trees, whereas females tend to dwell more on the ground and tend to be more territorial.
Why is it called a Ball Python?
Ball Pythons are known for their ability to curl up into a ball when they feel threatened. This is the reason that they get the name ball python.
Where are wild Ball Pythons found?
Wild ball pythons can be found in several parts of Africa, including Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria. They also can be found in Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic, as well as Sudan and Uganda.
Grassland, sparsely wooded areas, and savannas are the preferred habitats for these reptiles.
What do Ball Pythons eat?
A ball Python is a carnivorous animal, which means that its diet in the wild consists of small mammals and birds. There are two factors that determine a ball python's primary prey source, which is the gender and the age of the individual.
- A young ball python's diet consists of mainly small birds, less than 70cm.
- Adult male ball python diet consists of birds mostly longer than 100 cm and small mammals.
- Female ball pythons feed rats, shrews, and mice of various types.
Check out how to feed your Ball Python properly in detail.