Ball pythons are native to Western and Central Africa, and can be found primarily in Benin, Ghana, and Togo. Ball Pythons prefer savanna, sparsely wooded plains, and dry bushland habitats. The species' taxonomic name has Latin roots and means “royal python.” This refers to how ancient Egyptian royalty would commonly wear live snakes around their wrists and arms as jewelry. Ball pythons are named after their defensive nature to curl up into a ball when frightened. In the wild, these small snakes mostly prey on small mammals, rodents and birds.