In this section of our website you will learn about the Royal Python's behaviour in their natural habitat, feeding habits, natural distribution as well as reproduction, scientific classification and conservation status...
The Royal Python aka Ball Python (Python Regius) is a species of python native to Central and Western Africa where it lives in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, shrublands, open forestlands, mangrove swamps and savannahs. Royal Pythons are often found residing in termite mounds and mammal burrows, and are considered to be terrestrial, but upon inspection of wild specimens' stomach contents, specialists have discovered birds, bats and tree dwelling mammals which suggests that this species also exhibits arboreal behaviour.
The Royal Python has the largest and widest distribution of all species of snake with a range of 3500+ miles East - West and 500+ miles North - South. That's a total area of 1,750,000 mi². Ghana is the most associated country with the Royal Python as this was the first country to begin exporting this species around the world in the early 1990's.
Royal
Pythons move by way of rectilinear locomotion, whereby bilateral
symmetrical muscle contractions propel them forward as they push against the
surface.
The Royal Python also has another alternative
common name, the Ball Python. This common name was given based on their
defensive instincts. When threatened, the Royal Python will curl into a ball
shape positioning its head in the centre as a way of protecting itself.
Royal Pythons are a carnivorous species and feed almost exclusively on terrestrial mammals such as African Soft Furred Rats and Grass Mice. Royal Pythons are sit-and-wait ambush predators, selecting a site to lie motionless waiting for an opportunity to strike and feed. Prey is then immobilised by constriction and swallowed whole.
Royal Pythons have long reproductive lives, starting at around 24 months to 25+ years of age. They breed once per year, and lay one clutch of eggs per year. Clutches can very from 1 - 16 eggs, 7 being the average yield. Once laid, the female will maternally incubate the eggs and remain coiled around them for about 60 days until they hatch. The females feed very infrequently whilst protecting the eggs.
Hatchlings are independent from the moment they hatch, but can remain in close proximity to the mother for a period of months.
Both male and female specimen breed with multiple partners every breeding season. Females can also retain sperm for over 12 months and use this to reproduce.
Hatchling Royal Pythons can be anywhere between 7.5" - 18" in length, growing to 4.5ft - 6ft as an adult. Sexual dimorphism isn't present in young specimen, and only becomes apparent at their adult size at around 4-5 years. Females tend to be larger in both length and width and can grow up to 5.5ft in length, however there have been reports of wild specimen reaching 6ft. Males often reach a maximum of 4.5ft - 5ft in length, and often have a more slender body shape.
Royal Pythons use camouflage to avoid detection. When threatened, Royal Pythons often curl into a ball, positioning their head in the centre for protection. Other defensive actions include hissing, striking, biting and fleeing. Adult Royal Pythons actually have very few natural predators, however reports suggest that the Black Cobra (Naja Nigricollis) do prey on hatchlings and smaller specimens. Some known predators include carnivorous mammals and birds of prey, but again, hatchlings and smaller specimens are most at risk. Humans offered the largest threat in the 1990's exporting large numbers of wild caught specimen to Europe and North America.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentenes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: Python Regius
Common Name(s): Royal Python, Ball Python
The IUCN does not consider the Royal Python to be endangered at present. It is listed under Appendix II of CITES in an effort to regulate trade in the species.
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
US Federal List: No Special Status
CITES: No Special Status
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