Ball Python Facts

The Ball python, also referred to as the Royal python, is a species of python, native to Africa. It holds the distinction of being the smallest among the various pythons found in Africa. Some interesting Ball python facts, such as their gentle nature and relatively small size, have made them quite popular as exotic pets. In fact, Ball pythons are specifically bred to be sold as pets, and these bred reptiles are preferred over their counterparts in the wild.

Facts on Ball Pythons
The scientific name of this species of python is Python regius, owing to its tendency to curl into a ball when it feels threatened. Here are some more general facts about ball pythons.

• Adult males grow to a length of around 3 to 4 feet, while adult females, which are slightly bigger than the males, attain a length of around 4 to 4¹/₂ feet.
• Ball pythons typically range from black to dark brown in color, with light brown or golden spots and white belly.
• Male Ball pythons attain sexual maturity by 6-18 months of their birth, while the females attain the same by 12-36 months.
• The female lays 4 to 6 eggs at a time, and incubates them in the ground for 55 to 60 days of incubation period. Once the eggs hatch, mother pythons leaves the siblings to fend for themselves.

These were some of the general ball python facts. This species of python is found in the wild and also, kept as pets. Let's move on to some facts about Ball pythons in the wild and in captivity.

Wild Ball Python Facts
Given below are some fascinating facts about Ball pythons found in wild. These include their range, natural habitat and dietary habits.

• In the wild, Ball pythons are found in open forests and drier savannas, ranging from western Africa to central Africa.
• The countries where this python species are found include Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, Uganda, Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone.
• As the habitat of Ball pythons is quite close to the Equator, where the temperatures are quite high, this python mostly prefers to stay near some source of water, where it can cool itself.
• Ball python diet mostly consists of small mammals, such as rats and shrews, as well as birds.

Ball pythons which are caught in the wild and kept as pets, sometimes tend to display an odd behavior by not eating for several days.

Facts About Pet Ball Pythons
When choosing a Ball python as a pet, you should choose a specimen which is quite alert and try to grip your hand when you try to handle it. This and other such ball pythons info that is given below will prove to be beneficial for you, if you intend to keep this species of pythons as pets.

• The docile temperament of Ball pythons makes them ideal pets. Though some of these may display an aggressive stance initially, with time they become gentle.
• Young ball pythons bred in captivity are favored over their counterparts in the wild, as individuals in wild tend to become choosy in captivity as far as diet is concerned.
• An ideal Ball python habitat in captivity should range between 20 to 40 US gallons in size. A glass cage of this size should also feature two or more hiding places and dry substrate.
• Ideally, the temperature of your pet python habitat should be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity, around 60 to 70 percent. You should also arm the cage with a thermostat heating pad in order to maintain temperature range.

The most important attributes of a pet Ball python care sheet are proper enclosure, good source of light, maintaining the required temperature, dry substrate and, most importantly, maintaining proper hygiene.

These were some of the most prominent Ball python facts which make this python as one of the most sought after exotic pet throughout the world. Even though the average life span of a Ball python ranges between 20 to 30 years, proper care can ensure even longer life in captivity. In fact, some of the pet Ball pythons are 40 years old.