Python regius

Together, Python, the serpent slain by Apollo, and regius, meaning “royal,” make up the scientific name Python regius. This literally translates to “Royal Python.” The common name Royal Python refers to the story that African rulers, like Cleopatra, supposedly wore these live snakes as jewelry. Another name commonly used is Ball Python, referring to the snake's tendency to curl up into a ball when stressed or frightened. 

"Ball Python". Photograph. www.sandfiredragonranch.com

Ball pythons are the smallest of the African pythons, reaching 3-5 feet with the females typically being larger than the males. They are heavy-bodied snakes (they’re not fat, they’re heavy-bodied!) being less active, ambush predators. In the wild Ball Pythons can sit and wait for days for prey to cross their path. They are nocturnal and spend most of their time on the ground or burrowed. Pythons, along with boas, are primitive snakes. They have vestigial remnants of legs on each side of the vent. These claw-like spurs are larger on males and are used to tickle the female during courtship and mating.

Ball pythons are popular snakes in the pet trade due to their docile temperament. They can live 20-30 years in captivity (some have been known to live into their 40’s). Many morphs have been developed that result in extraordinary colors and patterns. I came across a site selling “designer" ball pythons for up to $1,000. 

Here are just a few of the unusual morphs:

 "Banana Ktulu" Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

"Black Pewter".Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

 "FireFly Clown". Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

"Fire X Cinnamon".Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

"Bumblebee". Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

 "Piebald". Photograph. www.pythonregius.com

"09Group". Photograph. www.dwherp.com