What is a ball python? Here's an explainer on the 'nice cousin' to the Burmese

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world. Adult snakes caught in Florida are between 6 and 9 feet on average, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The largest captured in Florida was more than 18 feet.

In the 2024 Florida Python Challenge, Burmese pythons are hunted and top prizes are awarded for the longest and most snakes caught. But as the annual hunt in the Sunshine State becomes more popular, we take a look at another type of snake: the ball python.

In 2019, a python was captured in the Lake Park Lowe’s parking lot … but wasn't a Burmese. It was a ball python.

What is a ball python?

A ball python, also called the royal python, is a less troublesome cousin to the Burmese, and has been eating its way through the Everglades for decades.

Where are ball pythons native to?

Ball pythons are native to west sub saharan Africa and typically don’t grow as long as the invasive Burmese pythons blamed for wiping out small mammal populations in South Florida. Although ball pythons have previously been found in the wild in Florida, there are no known reproducing populations, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Is a ball python a good pet?

Because of the snake's less aggressive behavior, ball pythons are among the most popular snakes used as pets. Adults average in length from 2 to 5 feet.

How much is a ball python?

Small ball pythons start at around $400, according to the Petco website.

More on ball python found in Palm Beach County:A python was captured in the Lake Park Lowe’s parking lot … but not Burmese

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that happens in August.

Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18.

The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons.