Pitón Real (Alias Bola)
= Ball Python. Alternative name based on the scientific name Python regius.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Anyone seeking an exotic pet with a technical commitment
- ✓Patient people (reptiles need time to build trust)
- ✓Homes with space for a terrarium
Reconsider if
- ×Homes with young children without supervision
- ×People with no prior experience (consult an exotics vet first)
- ×Life spent 100% in a small terrarium (cruel)
Notify me when a Pitón Real (Alias Bola) is up for adoption
We'll only email you when a verified rescue posts one available. No spam, unsubscribe in 1 click.
We'll only use your email for this alert. More info in our privacy policy.
Is the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
25-40 €/month
Frozen rodents 4-8 €, heating electricity 12-18 €, substrate and maintenance 3-5 €; annual exotics vet check-up (~40-60 €) and a thermostat as an initial investment.
History and origin
The royal python (Python regius) is the same animal traded as the 'ball python'; the name 'royal' alludes to the legend that Cleopatra wore it on her wrist.
Temperament and character
Reptiles are NOT social like mammals. They tolerate handling but do not seek company. Trust is earned with patience.
Living together
Children: depends on the species + supervised handling. **Other pets:** avoid — two-way risk. **Other reptiles:** depending on the species, better kept in separate terrariums.
Life stages of the Pitón Real (Alias Bola)
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 20-30 años.
Hatchling
0-4 months
Same species as the ball python: small space with hides, warm spot 30-32 °C, humidity 55-65%; small prey every 5-7 days.
Juvenile
4-12 months
Hopper/adult mouse every 7-10 days; respect voluntary fasting; check that sheds and eye caps come off whole.
Sub-adult
1-3 years
Gradient 28-32 °C with a mandatory thermostat on the heat source (avoid burns); small rat every 10-14 days.
Adult
3-30 years
Gradient 27-31 °C, humidity 55-65%; appropriate rat every 14-21 days; monitor egg retention in females.
Care
Terrarium: minimum size depending on the species (consult species-specific guides). UVB mandatory for diurnal species.
Temperature: day/night gradient · warm zone vs cool zone for thermoregulation.
Humidity: depending on the species (rainforest 70%+ · desert 30-50%).
Feeding: species-specific diet · insectivores, herbivores and carnivores vary radically.
Vet: exotics vet (a regular vet will NOT do). Annual check-up.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
Carnivore: defrosted rodent as thick as the snake every 1-2 weeks (adults every 2-4). Frequent winter fasting without weight loss.
✂️ Grooming
No routine baths; a humid hide during shedding and an occasional bath only if it retains skin.
🎓 Training
Very docile; it curls into a ball when stressed. Short, regular handling, never after feeding.
🏃 Exercise
Horizontal terrarium with two snug hides, a branch and a large water bowl; it prioritises feeling hidden.
Breed-specific health
Lack of UVB (rickets, MBD), parasites, respiratory infections from incorrect humidity. Life expectancy 20-30 years when well cared for.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in reptiles
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Pitón Real (Alias Bola)
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓Faecal test for internal parasites
- ✓Screening for mites (Ophionyssus) on the scales and eyes
- ✓Examination of the oral cavity (stomatitis)
- ✓CITES II documentation when buying or selling
Prevention
Identical to the ball python (it is the same species, Python regius): thermal gradient 31-33 °C / 26-28 °C, humidity 55-70% during shedding, two hides and defrosted prey of the appropriate girth.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with an exotics vet; quarantine faecal test and periodic weight monitoring.
Warning signs
- !Open-mouth breathing or wheezing
- !Mites or constant soaking in the water
- !Real weight loss (not simple fasting)
- !Retained shed, especially the eye caps
- !Lesions or caseum in the mouth
Pitón Real (Alias Bola) gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Pitón Real (Alias Bola)
- How long does a Pitón Real (Alias Bola) live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) is 20-30 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Pitón Real (Alias Bola) weigh? ▾
- An adult Pitón Real (Alias Bola) weighs between 1.5-2.5 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano.
- Where does the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) breed come from? ▾
- The Pitón Real (Alias Bola) originates from África Occidental. The royal python (Python regius) is the same animal traded as the 'ball python'; the name 'royal' alludes to the legend that Cleopatra wore it on her wrist.
- How much exercise does a Pitón Real (Alias Bola) need? ▾
- The Pitón Real (Alias Bola) has media energy. **Terrarium:** minimum size depending on the species (consult species-specific guides). UVB mandatory for diurnal species.
- Is the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) good with children? ▾
- **Children:** depends on the species + supervised handling. **Other pets:** avoid — two-way risk. **Other reptiles:** depending on the species, better kept in separate terrariums.
- Who is the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Homes with young children without supervision. People with no prior experience (consult an exotics vet first). Life spent 100% in a small terrarium (cruel). It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Pitón Real (Alias Bola) have? ▾
- Lack of UVB (rickets, MBD), parasites, respiratory infections from incorrect humidity. Life expectancy 20-30 years when well cared for.
- Are the royal python and the ball python the same? ▾
- Yes. Python regius goes by both names: "royal" from the translation of its scientific name and "ball" from curling up when stressed. Identical care.
- Is it a good beginner snake? ▾
- It is one of the best snakes to start with: docile, of manageable size and with simple needs given good temperature control.
- How often does it eat? ▾
- A rodent every 1-2 weeks as a youngster and every 2-4 weeks as an adult, always defrosted and as thick as the widest part of the body.
- Is documentation required? ▾
- Yes, it is listed on CITES II: keep the invoice and the legal proof-of-origin paperwork for the animal.
Learn more about reptiles
Practical veterinary guides to support your Pitón Real (Alias Bola).
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaPython regius (Wikipedia) ↗
- The Reptile DatabasePython regius — The Reptile Database ↗
Want to adopt a pitón real (alias bola)?
There are pitón real (alias bola)s in rescue shelters looking for a family. Filter by breed in the catalogue.
