8/18/2023 0 Comments Purple python snakeSince none are found in the Americas, pythons are considered to be old world snakes. There are more than 40 species of pythons in the Pythonidae family which are found throughout Africa, Asia and Australia. Therefore, their scientific name is Python regius. Ball pythons are described within the Pythonidae family, with Python as the genus and regius as the species. These include the Boidae, Colubridae, and Pythonidae families which are commonly called boas, colubrids, and pythons. There are more than 20 snake families within the Serpentes suborder which are frequently being discussed and revised. These names and groups are often discussed in Herpetology and can change with time, technology, and new research.Īll snakes, including ball pythons, are classified under the suborder Serpentes. The scientific name is the most specific description of an organism, consisting of the genus and species levels only. These levels are called taxons, which include orders, families, subfamilies, suborders, superfamilies and so on. There are multiple levels within taxonomy which break down the classification of a species. Python regius translates to ‘Royal Python,’ which is their most popular common name besides ‘ball python.’ Different ideas surround the origins of these common names, from their behavior of curling in a tight ball to the ophiolatry (snake worship) in some African cultures. Ball Python Taxonomic Historyīall python classification has changed over time, and Python regius is the accepted scientific name of today. Like all snakes, Ball pythons are carnivorous and hunt a variety of prey species in the wild. Ball pythons can range in weight as adults, but females are always heavier due to the dimorphism of the species. It is important to remember that each animal is individual and size depends on a variety of captive or wild factors. Adult males are typically between 2.5-3.5 feet. Adult females have been documented up to 6ft in the largest specimens, but average between 4.5 to 5 feet. Sexual dimorphism exists in the species as adults only, and females are both heavier and longer than males on average. These are important factors to consider for their captive conditions, which will be discussed further in this article. They frequently use logs, burrows, and other natural structures to hide, lay their eggs, and aestivate in the wild. These terrestrial habitats are dominated by grasses, shrubs, and trees in their natural ranges. ![]() ![]() They are adapted to the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands which are semi-humid and semi-arid. Although smaller, ball pythons are thickly built for their Sub-Saharan habitat where they live as mostly nocturnal, ground dwellers. ![]() They are the smallest python in their genus, but not the smallest python that exists. Ball pythons are commonly kept as pets due to their manageable sizes, temperaments, availability, and color morph variety. Ball Python Description and Wild Habitatīall pythons are a mostly terrestrial, non-venomous species of constrictor native to Western and Central Africa. Their species-specific history, establishment and diversity are just a few of the reasons that make ball pythons so loved and favored by many reptile keepers. This is important to consider when keeping them in captivity. Although ball pythons are often described as a great “beginner species,” they can be far more complex than generally thought. They are a very common reptile kept throughout the world, but their traits are unique and specialized. Their popularity exploded around the 1990s, but their history goes back much further. The ball python ( Python regius) goes by many names, but perhaps the most accurate of all is “favorite.” Ball pythons continue to be one of the most popular reptiles as they are constantly being kept, discussed, and diversified.
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