Ball Python
Python regius
Ball pythons have earned their name by typically being found curled up in a ball to protect all their important body parts, like their head, from perceived threats. Ball pythons have also been referred to as “royal pythons” because of the stories of Cleopatra and other African royalty wearing them around their wrists. They are mostly found in west and central Africa in grasslands and open forests and will spend most of their time in underground burrows. The typical ball python coloration is a lighter brown color with dark, almost black patterning as well which helps them blend into their surroundings. These snakes are carnivores but are not venomous. They are a constrictor species, which means they will squeeze their prey as a hunting technique. These species, like many other snake species, are a great pest control species in the wild. However, ball pythons are a very popular species in the pet trade industry which has negatively affected both their wild and captive populations.
Click HERE for a Ball Python Activity Sheet!
Our Current Resident
Hana, Female - Hatched January 21, 2023 (estimated and celebrated)
Hana came to ZooMontana from the Colorado Reptile Humane Society located in Longmont, Colorado in 2023, when she was about 6 months old. Since then, she has lived in our indoor education building near the gift shop. If you cannot see Hana, try looking in the hide in her habitat where she is most likely curled up in a ball.
You can get to know Hana better and meet her in person through our programs scheduled through the Education Department!
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Boidae
- Genus: Python
- Species: Python regius
Animal Facts
Carnivore: mainly eat rodents (and eat infrequently)
Population Status: currently listed as Near Threatened (in the wild)
Habitat: grasslands and open forests
Activity: crepuscular- mostly active during dusk and dawn
