Ball Python (Python regius)

The Ball Python lives in sub-Saharan Africa's grasslands, savannas, and lightly wooded areas. Despite its name, these African pythons grow to a modest length of 3-5 feet, with females generally larger than males. 

This type of snake uses its constricting ability to overpower prey despite its smaller size. Its name comes from its defense mechanism of coiling itself into a tight ball, protecting its head at the center.

During twilight hours in Africa, the Ball Python emerges and becomes active, hunting small mammals and birds using their heat-sensitive pits along their lip-line to detect prey. 

Female Ball Pythons protect their 3-11 egg clutch by coiling around them1, generating heat through muscular contractions until they hatch.