Common name : Royal python, Ball python
Scientific name : Python regius
Family : Pythonidae
Native to : Africa
Interesting fact : Ball pythons roll into balls when threatened and they were worn as jewellery by some African rulers.
Conservation status : Least Concern
The smallest African python is the ball python measuring 5 to 6 feet. They are black with golden yellow blotches. The pastel lesser ball python is a colour morph produced by selective breeding by pet shops. They inhabit grasslands, savanna, and feed on frogs, lizards, other snakes and birds. Its life span is up to 40 years.
