|
|
Ball Python
 |
Reptiles |
 |
Africa |
 |
- |
 |
Pythonidae |
 |
3 kg |
 |
Tropical forests |
 |
Rodents, young birds |
 |
80 to 105 days |
 |
6 to 7 eggs |
 |
Mongoose, birds of prey |
 |
Endangered |
This snake gets its
name from the fact that it rolls in a tight ball for protection.
The ball python is the smallest of African pythons. The colour is variable, the
stripes and markings covering the body can be dark brown to black. The ball
python is not a venomous snake, but a constrictor; it will suffocate its prey by
wrapping itself around it. Like all snakes, it can swallow preys that are much
larger than its own head because it has an extensible jaw. For defence, the
ball python will roll in a ball hiding its head in the middle of its body. It
will form a tight ball which is difficult to undo. The weight can be about 3 kg
(6.6 lbs) and the length can vary between 1,2 and 1,8 m (3 to 6 feet). This
constrictor will find its preys with the help of the Jacobson organ.
The ball python is found about everywhere in eastern Africa. It lives in areas with cover ranging from wooded savannahs to dense tropical forests. This solitary animal will spend most of its time on the ground looking for small rodents, which is its staple food. In captivity, an individual can live up to 20 years. It is one of the rare reptiles to incubate its eggs. After a female lays its eggs, it will wrap its body around its 6 or 7 eggs and create muscular spasms which help maintain internal temperature. It will incubate the eggs for about three months but maternal care will stop after hatching. Predators are numerous and include birds of preys, mongooses, other snakes, crocodiles and wild boars. This snake is among favourite pets because of its friendly nature, nice motif and small size. It is one of the most common snakes in captivity. The ball python is an endangered species of appendix II of CITES.