{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "ball-python",
  "name": "Ball Python",
  "scientificName": "Python regius",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The ball python is a small, non-venomous constrictor from the grasslands and forests of West and Central Africa, named for its habit of curling into a tight ball when stressed. Docile and slow-moving, it is one of the most popular pet snakes in the world and comes in hundreds of color and pattern 'morphs'. Ball pythons are long-lived, often reaching 20 to 30 years in captivity.",
  "conservationStatus": "Near Threatened",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Squamata",
    "family": "Pythonidae",
    "genus": "Python"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.8,
    "lengthM": 1.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 2,
    "lifespanYears": 30
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Python regius"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Grassland and open forest of West/Central Africa"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "20–30 years in captivity"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Slow-moving"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Near Threatened (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Grasslands and open forests of West and Central Africa.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Python regius.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Python%20regius&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Python regius. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Python_regius/"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Ball Python.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_python"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ball-python/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ball-python/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}