Ball Python (Banana Morph)
Python regius • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Genus: Python, Species: Python regius
Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs or a venom delivery system (Aglyphous).
Danger Level
Harmless. They are non-aggressive and lack the size to pose a constriction hazard to humans. Bites are rare and usually only occur during feeding mistakes.
Geographic Range
Wild individuals are native to Central and Western Africa (Senegal to Sudan and Uganda). This specific 'Banana' morph is a captive-bred designer variety prominent in the international pet trade.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened (Wild populations). The main threats are habitat loss and over-harvesting for the skin trade and local meat markets.
Physical Description
Thick-bodied with a relatively small head. This 'Banana' morph features a base of bright yellow to tan with lavender-gray 'alien head' blotches and characteristic small black speckles (freckling) that increase with age. Scales are smooth, and the pupils are vertical.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be a juvenile. Adults typically range from 3 to 5 feet (90-150 cm) in length, with females being significantly larger and heavier than males.
Habitat
In the wild, they frequent grasslands, savannas, and sparsely wooded areas. They are often found in termite mounds or underground burrows that provide consistent humidity and temperature.
Behavior & Temperament
Very docile and slow-moving. Known for 'balling' up as a defensive mechanism rather than striking. Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, spending most of the day hiding.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous. In the wild, they eat small mammals and birds. In captivity, they are active foragers that hunt primarily by scent and heat-sensing pits, killing prey through constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 4-10 large, leathery eggs and will coil around them to provide warmth through muscle shivering (thermogenesis) until they hatch.
Venom & Safety
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
First Aid Advice
Bites rarely require medical attention. If bitten, wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection. No antivenom is necessary.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Short-tailed Python (Python curtus) due to body girth, but distinguished by the Ball Python's specific head scales. Color-wise, it may resemble Albino morphs, but Banana morphs retain dark pigment in the eyes and 'freckles'.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened (Wild populations). The main threats are habitat loss and over-harvesting for the skin trade and local meat markets.
Cultural Significance
In the Igbo culture of Nigeria, they are considered sacred and associated with the earth. In the West, they are the most popular pet snake in the world due to their manageable size and calm nature.
Notable Features
Features heat-sensing labial pits along the upper lip to detect infrared radiation (heat) from prey. The 'Banana' trait is a co-dominant genetic mutation that is also sex-linked, making it highly valuable to breeders.