Ball python
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Ball Python | image = Python royal 35.JPG | image_width = 250px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Reptilia | ordo = Squamata | subordo = Serpentes | familia = Pythonidae | genus = Python | species = P. regius | binomial = Python regius | binomial_authority = (Shaw, 1802) }} The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa. Its name derives from its tendency to curl into a tight "ball" to protect its head on the inside when threatened. They are usually brown and black in color, and there are several "morphs" in color that breeders have obtained (see link below). As adults will they can range from 3 to 6 feet (90 to 180 centimeters) in length. They reach sexual maturity at 3 to 5 years, and live more than 20 years. The oldest recorded Ball Python reached 48 years of age in captivity.
Pythons and Boas, including Ball Pythons, have anal spurs, which are single claws appearing on either side of the vent are the vestigial remains of the hind legs snakes lost during their evolution from lizards. The spurs on males are generally longer than those on females. Spur size can be deceiving as there are many documented cases of females having longer spurs. The only definitive way to sex a ball python, or any snake, is by probing. This should only be done by someone with proper veteranary training as it is possible to kill the snake if the prober is inexperienced. Probing is when one inserts a special rod into the snake's cloaca. Males will always have a deeper cloaca, and females will always have a shorter cloaca.
In the wild Ball Pythons eat amphibians, lizards, other snakes, birds and small mammals.
Ball Pythons as pets
Ball Pythons are commonly owned snakes due to their personalities. They come in a few different color phases. The natural phase is brown, tan and black in color. They are also sometimes seen as albino, caramel, jungle, reverse-stripe, axanthic, ghost, avalon oats, lemon pastel, pastel jungle, green rumi, pied, and striped. There are more than 62 known genetic morphs to date.
In captivity most are fed mice as juveniles. Adults will take rats. Ball Pythons have a reputation for being picky eaters, but this is much more of a problem with snakes caught from the wild rather than captive-bred because they prey-imprint early in life, and it can be difficult to convince them to switch prey items. Offering different food items instead of just mice usually solves this problem, especially in captive-breed animals.
Like all ectotherms, they must be housed with an external heat source (for example: a heated blanket), and they must also have enough space to be comfortable. Contrary to folk-myth, snakes do not stop growing to fit their housing space. The ball python gets its name because when it gets scared it curls up into a ball.