Ball Python
Python regius • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Genus: Python, Species: regius
Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs or venom-producing glands.
Danger Level
Harmless; posing no significant threat to humans. Bites are rare and medically insignificant beyond minor scratches.
Geographic Range
Native to West and Central Africa, from Senegal to Uganda and Sudan. This specific specimen is a captive-bred 'Banana' or 'Coral Glow' color morph.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened (IUCN Red List), primarily due to habitat loss and heavy exploitation for the exotic pet trade and bushmeat.
Physical Description
Stocky body with a narrow neck and distinct head. This 'Banana' morph features a soft yellow or pale orange base color with lavender-gray splotches and characteristic small black spots (freckles). Head has visible heat-sensing pits along the upper lip and dark eyes.
Size & Dimensions
Typical adult length of 3 to 5 feet (90-150 cm). This specimen appears to be a sub-adult or adult, likely around 3.5 feet in length.
Habitat
Naturally found in grasslands, savannas, and sparsely wooded areas. They are primarily terrestrial and often utilize mammal burrows or termite mounds for shelter.
Behavior & Temperament
Docile and slow-moving. Known for its defensive strategy of curling into a tight ball with its head in the center. Primarily nocturnal/crepuscular.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous, primarily consuming small mammals like rodents and occasionally birds. They are ambush predators that kill via constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females typically lay 4 to 10 large eggs and will coil around them to provide protection and incubation until hatching.
Venom & Safety
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
First Aid Advice
If bitten, wash the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. No antivenom is needed. Seek medical attention only if signs of infection occur.
Look-alikes
While the wild-type resembles other small African pythons like Python anchietae, the 'Banana' morph is unique to P. regius in captivity and rarely confused with other species.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened (IUCN Red List), primarily due to habitat loss and heavy exploitation for the exotic pet trade and bushmeat.
Cultural Significance
Highly significant in the Igbo culture of Nigeria, where it is considered a symbol of the earth and is often protected or even worshipped. In the West, it is the most popular pet snake in the world.
Notable Features
Equipped with labial heat-sensing pits to detect warm-blooded prey in the dark. The 'Banana' morph is co-dominant and known for developing more black 'spots' as the individual ages.