Ball pythons are America's most popular pet snake, but what makes them so special?
These snakes are native to Sub-Saharan Africa but have since been bred extensively. Due to this, there is a variety of different color and pattern morphs they come in. Ball pythons are iconic for their defense mechanism, which is rolling into a ball that helps protect their head and vital organs. In addition, these snakes tend to be head shy, meaning that they don't like to be touched near their heads and will rear back if approached.
Much like other constrictors, ball pythons are nonvenomous. Instead, they tend to ambush their prey and constrict them. In captivity they eat mostly rodents, but in the wild they may also eat the occasional bird.