A ball python from Leinwand’s lab. CREDIT: Yuxiao Tan. Compared with the hearts of pythons who hadn’t eaten, the fed pythons increased their own mass by close to 25 percent after eating.

Most adult ball pythons eat once every 7 to 14 days. Another reason people love ball pythons is their color. There are many types, called “morphs,” that come in different colors and patterns.

Ball pythons were long assumed to be solitary, but scientists discovered the snakes in captivity prefer each others’ company when given the chance to live socially.

Bhubaneswar: Move over dogs, cats and parrots because the latest craze among pet lovers in the city is to own something unique - ball python or a green iguana or a gecko or a cute red-footed ...