ball python (Python regius)
Distribution and habitat:
The ball python is spread over large parts of western and central Africa. The range extends from Gambia east to the Sudan. The species is very adaptable in terms of their habitat, they colonized the closed tropical rainforest as well as savannas and agricultural areas to the border areas of settlements.
Short description:
Adult individuals often have head-body length of 0.8 to 1.5 m and reach a maximum of about 2 m total length and the weight is 1-3 kg. Pythons are thus the smallest representative of the genus Python. Females are on average slightly larger and heavier than males.
The base color of the body is light to dark brown. Often runs about in the front body districts and in tail close to the center back, a more or less continuous band of large, yellowish brown to beige-brown, round or elongated spots. On the flanks, the type well-colored, large, round or long oval, mostly light-edged spots on, often with a dark center. These spots extend into the middle of the body regularly to the center back or are there interconnected.
The head has a bright , wide eye-streak from the nostrils to the back of the head , including close to a black-brown band, which extends to the muzzle angle. This is limited behind the eye by another bright band down. The iris is dark black gray . The color of the belly is white to cream .
Information on the average and maximum age of free- living individuals are unknown, for captive ball pythons upper age limit to be specified for over 40 years , maximum 48 years.
The ball python is caught in large quantities for the terrarium . He is kept very often because of its beauty, its relatively small size and the low sale price. Despite their popularity, the species is not without problems as a foster child . In captivity often occur mouth rot , lung diseases and diseases caused by protozoa on ( See also snake diseases). Frequently refuse particular adult game Catches of the species in captivity and the lining .
Lifestyle, attitude and breeding:
The species is crepuscular and nocturnal, this nocturnal activity or hunting methods in the field as in most species of the genus so far apparently not known. Spend the day pythons in hiding , mostly in rodent burrows or termite mounds . In captivity, young individuals like to climb , older Pythons are mainly ground -dwelling . The English name "Ball Python " refers to the fact that the snake when threatened often closely zusammenzurollt , the head is on the inside and is protected by the body slings.
A terrarium should not be less than the dimensions of width 1.20 m, depth 0.50 m and height 0.80 m, in attitude of several animals the space available (about 20 % per animal) should of course be increased accordingly .
The temperature in the terrarium should the day be in the range 27-32 ° C and 22-26 ° C at night between . Also pay attention to a sufficiently high humidity, which should not be less than 60 % longer time . At night, the humidity should like to be up 90%.