Royal Python

   

There are over 3,000 existing of species of snakes in the world today. The Royal Python is one of these known species and it is found in West Africa. This python is also known as the ball python because of its defense mechanism to its enemies.

The Royal Python, a species of snake is the smallest of snake is the smallest of the 3 African Pythons. The average adult length is only about 5 feet long, so it is short and stocky. It has a small head and a rounded snout. The Royal Python has large eye with vertical pupils. The vertical pupils help to see at night. They have a strip on the side of each eye which helps them disguise the outline of their head. This makes it difficult for predators to spot the snake. The Royal Python is identified by its bold markings of black and tan. It is considered one of the most attractive pythons.

The grassland and dry forest in western African savannas is where the Royal Python can be found. It spends most of its time in trees and on the forest floor. During the dry season, this python remains permanently in underground burrows.

This slithering creature protects itself by rolling into a ball when it feels threatened. When it does this, it also tucks its head in the middle of its coils exposing it frightening armor to its armor to its enemies. The Royal Python follows its prey into their burrows, killing them and then eating them. It has a very powerful coil which it uses to constrict it’s prey.

Even though the Royal Python is the smallest of the three African pythons it’s distinct characteristics give it the ability to protect itself from predators and hunt and constrict its prey. So, if your lucky enough to visit west Africa, be sure to see this beautiful creature in its natural habitat.

by Domenic

picture from Wikipedia

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