Ball Python

An adult female ball python. Ball pythons come in several morphs and mutations in the pet trade, this is their wild type form. Ball pythons are revered by the Igbo of Nigeria, considered symbols of the Earth. Even converted Igbo treat these creatures with great respect, and its not uncommon for people to bury ball pythons who are accidentally killed. Ball pythons gain a second common name, the royal python, from the fact that rulers would wear them draped around their shoulders as jewelry.