Ball Python is the smallest of the nonvenomous African pythons and is popular in the pet trade, largely due to its typically docile temperament. The ball python is a good snake for a beginning snake owner. They can live for a long time with proper care - up to about 50 years, although 20-30 appears to be more typical. The natural range of the Ball Python is western Africa to central Africa, just north of the equator. It can be found in open forests, as well as drier savannahs. It is usually found in areas with good cover near open water where it can cool itself during hot weather, since temperatures often exceed 100ºF. It spends most of its time on or under the ground in confiscated burrows, although it can climb.
