A short introduction to the cutest (but possibly deadly) snake species!
Ball pythons, also known as royal pythons, are native to Africa's grasslands, shrublands, and forests.
It is a constrictor snake, meaning it wraps around its prey to kill them.
Their name comes from the fact that they often curl into balls when stressed or scared (awwwww).
Ball pythons can either be black, albino, or dark brown with light brown blotches dotted around the back and sides. Their bellies are cream-white with black markings.
They can reach a maximum adult length of 182cm, or ~6ft.
Depending on the size of the snake, they can prey on:
Ball pythons are often hunted/poached because they are considered exotic.
They are also often sought after for their skin, meat, and use in traditional medicine.
All of this makes them considered "Near Threatened" by the IUCN. Their population in the wild is in decline.
Here is the link to the article I got this information from!