Ball Python

Why is the ball python so called?
The ball python, a snake of equatorial West Africa, has an unusual way of protecting itself when disturbed. The ball python (Python regius) is a good snake for a beginning snake owner. Growing to a maximum size of 3-5 feet, ball pythons are not as large as many of the other constricting snakes that are kept as pets, and are quite docile and easy to handle. A captive bred ball python usually flourishes given the proper care.
Ball pythons are so named because when threatened they roll themselves into a tight ball, tucking their head inside their coils. Young ball pythons grow about a foot a year for three years. They can live for a long time with proper care - up to about 50 years, although 20-30 appears to be more typical.