Python, Ball Python regius
Description
Ball pythons are a nonvenomous constrictor. They are the smallest of the African pythons, and have a docile temperament. The males can be up to six feet with the females being slightly larger. They are stocky and have smooth scales.The color pattern is typically black or dark brown with lighter side and dorsal blotches. The belly is white or cream and may include scattered black markings.
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Range
Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat
Prefer grasslands, savannas, and sparsely wooded areas.
Gestation
55 – 60 days
Litter
3-11 large, leathery eggs
Behavior
This species known for its defense strategy that involves coiling into a tight ball with head and neck tucked into the middle.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity is reached at 11-18 months for males, and 20-36 months for females. Parental care of the eggs ends once they hatch, and the female leaves the offspring to fend for themselves.
Diet (Wild)
Wild diet consists mostly of small mammals, such as African soft-furred rats, shrews, gerbils and striped mice and birds.
Conservation Status
Least Concern