02/16/2022
Ball pythons are sometimes called royal pythons. This name arises from the belief that ancient royals once wore ball pythons as jewelry. Legend has it that Cleopatra often wore a ball python as a bracelet.
Ball pythons are the smallest python found on the African continent and one of the smallest python species in the world. They can reach up to 5 feet but average more like 2-4 feet in length. In contrast, reticulated pythons can be 23 feet long!
Like many species of snake, adult ball python females are always larger than males. Males usually top out at 2-3 feet long while females can be 3-5 feet in length. Ball pythons are non-venomous snakes but that doesn’t mean they are toothless. Their mouths are lined with 100-150 small, pointed teeth, designed to grip and hold their prey. Ball pythons shed their skin every 5-7 weeks. About 1-2 weeks before they begin the shedding process, their eyes turn blue as their old skin loosens and fluid builds up between the two layers. After shedding, the eyes return to their normal dark color.
