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Ball Pythons
(Python Regius)
Ball Python Snake
Natural History
Ball pythons (Python regius) are found at the edges of the forest lands of
Central and Western Africa. They are equally comfortable on the ground and
in trees. They are crepuscular, active around dawn and dusk. Called Royal
pythons in Europe, here in the United States we call them "Balls" due to
their habit of curling themselves up into a tight ball when they are nervous,
their heads pulled firmly into the center. Like most pythons, Balls are curious
and gentle snakes.
Balls typically reach 4 feet (1.2 m) in length; occasionally there are specimens
that reach 5 feet (1.5 m). When properly fed, their bodies become nicely
rounded. Like all pythons and boas, Balls have anal spurs. These single claws
appearing on either side of the vent are the vestigial remains of the hind
legs snakes lost during their evolution from lizard to snake millions of
years ago. Males have longer spurs than do the females; males also have smaller
heads than the females.
Ball pythons, like all pythons and boas, devour a variety of prey in the
wild - amphibians, lizards, other snakes, birds and small mammals. They do
not eat mice in the wild, however, and do not recognize the mice we offer
them as being something edible. Thus, imported wild-caught Balls tend to
be very picky eaters, at least initially, and drive their owners to distraction
in their attempts to get them to eat something. Balls are reputed to be able
to go for extended periods of time without food; wild-caught Balls have gone
for a year or more without food until finally enticed to eat lizards and
other snakes. This is not a healthy trait and must not be a reason for selecting
this species. This should also make you suspicious when a pet store tells
you that their Balls are eating well. Buying captive-born Balls reduces the
stress on the threatened populations in the wild and helps ensure you will
get a healthy, established eater and a snake already used to contact with
humans. Buying from a reputable breeder will ensure that you will get the
help and advice you need to assure that your Ball feels comfortable and secure
enough to eat after you bring it home and let it get settled for a week or
so.
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