![]() Not all snakes can do this, but the royal python is one of those that have this ability.įor this reason, it has no problem hunting at night or in totally dark places. That’s why, they can see their prey even in complete darkness thanks to the heat they give off. They can detect the heat emanating from the animals, thanks to the thermal pits in their mouth, 4 or 5 slits that act as heat detectors, this allows snakes such as pythons to detect infrared light. They wait motionless in a place where there are animals, and to capture their prey, they use chemical and visual signals. However, some ball pythons avoid certain birds because of their excessive feathers and hamsters because they have too much hair. One prey per week will be enough to cover its needs since it usually goes for several days after that without food.Īfter feeding, it can take four to five days for the snake to completely digest the prey, and then it stays in a warm, dark place where it can hide which will help the snake to have a good digestion. The adult ball python eats mainly small mice, as these animals do not exceed the snake’s width, while juveniles and males hunt mainly birds. Feeding, what do ball pythons eat?īall pythons feed mainly on birds and small mammals such as rodents and shrews. It will not regain its normal appearance and appetite until the process is complete. Its eyes become duller and its skin takes on a duller appearance. During skin shedding, which lasts one to two weeks, the ball python’s appearance alters. Ball python skin changeīall pythons shed their skin periodically, once their eyes begin to look cloudy, shedding will begin very soon. Thanks to this behavior and the fact that they are not venomous, they have become one of the most common and desired snakes as pets. This species has an important ecological role in its habitat as it balances rodent populations, which are known to reproduce very quickly and frequently.Īnother characteristic of the ball python that we find quite fascinating in its behavior is that it is a shy species with a harmless and non-aggressive character. In summer, the royal python seeks refuge in abandoned mammal burrows, where it is sheltered from the high temperatures. Males spend their time both on the ground and in the trees, while females spend most of their lives on the ground. They are solitary snakes and mostly active during twilight hours. In captivity, with good care, they can live up to 50 years. The ball python has a long life expectancy, living between 20 and 30 years, however, there are specimens that can live up to 40 years. To distinguish females from males you cannot only look at their size, but also at the fact that males have more developed pre-anal dewclaws and a higher number of tail scales than females. Its body is robust and strong, its head is relatively small and its body is soft to the touch.Īs adults, females reach a length of 4 to 5 feet while males have a length of 3 to 3.5 feet approximately and in the case of hatchlings, they vary from 10 to 17 inches. This is the smallest python species in Africa. These snakes are not as large as others, they are considered small to medium sized. In fact, there are 62 genetic variations that allow you to find the ball python in different shapes and colors such as normal, albino, platinum, genetic striped, caramel, peep horse, clown, ghost or jungle. Its belly is a cream or white color and is dotted with some dark colored spots.Īlthough this is their common color and pattern, Its appearance can vary, thanks to selective breeding by the pet industry. Its beautiful appearance is marked by different patterns of attractive colors it can be black or dark brown, with light spots on the back and sides. Characteristics of the ball python Appearance A cage at least 36 inches long, such as a 30-gallon aquarium, is required for an adult ball python. These pythons require a secure captive environment, such as an aquarium with a lid from which they cannot escape. They like to spend a lot of time on the ground, in abandoned burrows and among dry leaves. They usually inhabit dry grasslands, with some opting for open woodlands and agricultural land.
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