Ball pythons got their American name because of the way they tense up and coil up. As a ball python gets ready to shed, you’ll notice its scales loosening and its eyes turning opaque and bluish. The average life-span of a ball python is 30 years but it is not unheard of for one to live up to 45 years old as long as they are living in captivity. The capture of ball pythons for pets has also resulted in a population decline in the wild. There are No Subspecies of Ball Pythons, 19. They are often still patterned. Though there are many different looking Ball Pythons out there, there are no recognized subspecies in the scientific community. Even if they are not venomous, a full bite from an adult snake would put a dent in your arm. Ball Pythons seem very cute and cuddly when they are compared to other members of their families. Maintain 40 to 60% humidity; higher during shedding. https://www.snakesforpets.com/ball-python-facts/, Feed a rat fuzzy or small adult mouse every 5 to 7 days, Feed a rat hopper or large adult mouse every 7 days, Feed a small-to-medium-sized rat every 7 to 10 days, Skin appears wrinkled, almost as if your snake is dehydrated, Staying close to a heat source more frequently than normal. The Ball Python is one of the most popular snakes in the Americas and Africa. To make this snake even cooler, it can have over 100 teeth! In the wild, Ball Pythons constrict to kill their prey. They have been known to like to hunt their mice and may not like pre-killed. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. These detect small changes in temperature via infrared rays, thus helping them catch warm-blooded prey such as mice. Embora Pets is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The bite usually won’t be a powerful one, it’s more like a nibble. Sometimes it is seen as cute and funny but most of the time when a snake of this breed curls up like this, it’s because they are stressed or frightened. There are some snakes that are 4.5 feet long but that is usually the maximum. Ball pythons are patient, ambush hunters. They use their heat pits to detect prey. Facebook. This is often in response to heat and dryness during hot summer months. Facebook. Brumation is like hibernation, where the animal is in a state of dormancy. They are the Smallest Breed of Pythons, 17. As growing hatchlings, they will shed almost every 3 months for the first year or two. I’ve always been fascinated by snakes and reptiles. Ball pythons don’t have fangs. Embora Pets is the ultimate resource for learning everything about your new pet, or information when trying to find the right one. By. Albino Ball Python Cool Facts. Royal Python (as named in the U.K.). They like to nibble. Ball Pythons are widely known for this. Python Regius. They can also do this when they are upset. When Ball Pythons are taken in as pets, it’s a good idea to have a bowl of water for them that is deep enough they can soak in. 1578. Sometimes, it’s best to let the lying snake sleep. These snakes are called ball pythons because of their defensive posture of coiling into a tight ball with their heads protected in the center of the coil. Sexual differences: . Ball pythons are slow-moving snakes, moving up to only 1 mile per hour. Whether that is true or not, getting one of these fellas as a pet is a long-term commitment. Python Facts. Permits are required for the exportation of ball pythons. Snakes are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperatures like humans can. They are found in dry grassland, savanna, and forest edges. Snakes have pit organs with aperture sizes of about 1mm, which generate thermal images of any moving prey. During the daylight hours, your Ball Python may not want to come out and play. They are Not at the Top of the Food Chain, 25. I hope that you find this website useful! Though it is not by much, females are bigger than males. Pythons are one of the largest snakes. All snakes have their own personalities and habits and you should definitely get to know your scale-baby’s own. Ball Python Class: Reptilia Photo courtesy of Karen Marzynski Habitat • In the Wild: Ball pythons range from Senegal to Togo in West Africa and eastward to the Nile River in southern Sudan. Most snakes will require medication to recover from an infection. A ball python bite is rarely painful, and it’s unlikely to cause any harm. They can be found in rainforests, savannas and deserts. They will stay awake some of the daytime usually anyway, especially if they are fed during the day. link to Why Do Jack Russells Dig So Much? They coil themselves around their clutches during incubation and as a defensive behavior. It is threatened by hunting for its meat and for the international pet trade. Ball pythons were named for their habit of curling into a ball when they are stressed or frightened. The ball python in captivity that has lived the longest according to records has been one that reached the age of 47. It’s a python species that’s endemic to sub-Saharan Africa that thrives in warm, tropical regions. They lay 3 to 11 large, leathery eggs at a time, with 4 to 6 eggs being the average. Females reach sexual maturity at 20 to 36 months of age, and males at 11 to 18 months of age. Go female power! While their diet may seem varied, ball pythons are very selective when it comes to their meals. If not already prepared, you should include a warm, moist hide with sphagnum moss. Hatchlings are the most adorable creatures on the planet. Their busy patterning helps camouflage them in the wild. There is also a rumor still in circulation today that Cleopatra used to wear a ball python around her wrist as a bracelet. Their noses are boxy. As long as your snake appears healthy, it will be fine for many weeks. Adult size: Ball Pythons are a small to medium size python with adults ranging from 3 to 5 feet, females are generally larger and heavier bodied than males. If a Ball Python slithered into a village, it would be left to itself. Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA To learn more about the NAIA or about other NAIA programs, visit us at www.NAIAOnline.org The mother python will take care of her eggs until they hatch, after which she will leave her offspring to look out for themselves. When a snake brumates, its metabolic rate reduces, resulting in inactivity. It takes about a week for the shedding to complete. In the ethnic group called the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria, the ball python is particularly valued. They Curl into Balls. Dogs are great, right? The highest recorded age of a ball python is 47 years. They are called “Hatchlings.” They are named this, of course, because they come from eggs. The variation in tone and spots are to reflect nature. Ball pythons are small and respond well to being held. When captured, the sudden change in temperature and environment can quickly result in the death of a snake. These pets usually tend to either do really well or not well at all. When a ball python is all coiled up, it can be rolled around like a ball. They are small but mighty. The ball python is a good snake for a beginning snake owner.They typically grow between 2 to 5 feet (though some can grow to 6 feet), ball pythons are not as large as many of the other constricting snakes that are kept as pets, are quite docile, and are easy to handle. During the time in which they shed, they will become shut off, not hungry, and may be moody. 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