![]() Male ball pythons, like all other male snakes, have paired reproductive organs, called hemipenes. This requires a bit of skill and knowledge about ball python anatomy, so this is a task best left to experienced keepers and vets. If you want to accurately determine the sex of a ball python, you’ll typically need to use a stainless-steel probe to examine the inside of its cloaca. Males typically have slightly larger spurs than females, but there are exceptions. They are not used for locomotion, but they are sometimes used during breeding – the males will claw at the sides of a female to help move her into the proper position. Spurs are the vestigial remnants of rear legs. And although the purpose of this anatomical adaptation isn’t conclusively understood, some hypothesize that thin necks help ball pythons constrict prey in the tight burrows and termite mounds in which they often hunt.įinally, like most other pythons, ball pythons possess “ spurs” on both sides of their vents. Unlike carpet and tree pythons, who have long prehensile tails that aid in climbing, ball pythons have stout tails, which aren’t particularly prehensile.īall pythons also have relatively narrow necks. On the other hand, ball pythons – like blood and short-tailed pythons – have very short tails. However, they aren’t as plump as blood ( Python brongersmai) or short-tailed pythons ( Python curtus), nor are they round in cross-section – ball pythons have roughly triangular bodies. Most ball pythons are clad in a relatively characteristic pattern made up of black, brown and grey tones, but they still exhibit quite a bit of individual variation.īall pythons have the same basic body plan as most other pythons, but they also exhibit a few features that are unique to the species.įor example, ball pythons have relatively thick bodies relative to their length.Although they are primarily terrestrial snakes, ball pythons occasionally climb trees and bushes.If threatened by a predator, ball pythons will often roll into a tight ball to protect their head and neck.Ball pythons use a combination of active prowling and ambush techniques to capture prey.An egg-laying species, ball pythons typically produce 2 to 10 eggs per year.Ball pythons, like all other pythons, have thermal receptors around their mouths, which enable them to detect heat.Ball pythons are not venomous they kill their prey via constriction.Like most other pythons, ball pythons are nocturnal animals who are typically most active at night.Ball pythons are native to western and central Africa, where they primarily inhabit grasslands and open forests.However, that particular ball python would go on to bite me for years, proving that you have to be ready for anything when keeping these awesome animals.įrom $20 to a Few Thousand Ball Pythons: Quick Factsīefore we dig deep into the biology, behavior and care of ball pythons, let’s review a few of the most important facts about the species: ![]() My initial sentiment was correct – ball pythons are typically very docile snakes. This will give you the best chance of keeping your new pet healthy and happy. So, it is important to learn all you can about ball pythons before you purchase one. But you’ll occasionally have to make adjustments to ensure an individual snake thrives. The care regimen discussed will certainly work for the majority of ball pythons. Keep this in mind as we discuss ball pythons in the following paragraphs. Species often exhibit broad tendencies, but each animal is an individual, with its own motivations, predilections, and needs. It was a very minor bite, but it taught me a very important lesson about snakes: In fact, ball pythons are probably one of the tamest species in the worl…”īut before I could finish the sentence, the snake struck out and bit me directly on the nose. “Unlike many other snakes,” I bragged, “this one is very tame. ![]() I was so excited about my new ball python that I took the snake out and started telling her all about it. On the way home from the pet store, I stopped to pick up my little sister from school. So, I was quite happy to pick up a ball python, as the species is famous for being gentle. I had already kept a few snakes, but they were all quite nippy. I still remember my first ball python ( Python regius).
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