Why Python Regius?

Obviously I'm not asking whether I should get one (if this was the context of the question asked, the more appropriate question would be "why not?"). In fact I own 2 ball pythons already and have big expansion plans for the future. The question I'm actually asking is, "does anybody know why they are named Python Regius? Or Royal Pythons?"

cleopatra (idk how to spell her name) haha was said to have worn a ball python around her wrist or neck when she was alive, giving them the name royal python, weird huh? haha

I read in this ball python book that they are called royal pythons because certain tribes worship them & consider them a sacred animal

Really? Cleopatra!? Very cool. I definitely agree with the fact that tribes would worship them. Snakes have been worshipped as gods for centuries before western culture (dare I say Christianity) made them into an ominous monster or devil (I don't think this image is too prevalent in today's society though). And this makes perfect sense. I guess it also makes sense that Cleopatra wore a ball python because in her time the Egyptians were deists and would worship snakes and crocodiles among other animals. But very neat nonetheless. Thanks

Wow, we learn somethin new everyday

Python regius is the scientific name.

There aren't really reasons for scientific names.. they're just latin names given to all species. Some names have more reasoning than others.

Python Regius is indeed the Latin name, actually they are Royal Pythons, and the Ball Python came from their tendancy to curl into a ball whenever they become frightened!!

Would Egypt have been humid enough for them?

Yes :banana: and ball pythons coil into a ball to defend themselves from their mortal enemy the king Cobra venom which they are somewhat immune to. They take a bite from the king, coil into a ball and thus cant be eaten by the cobra (snake eater) fight off the poison and bounce back. What a fascinating animal. You gotta love your balls!!!

Immune to COBRA VENOM!? :O

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Originally Posted by Vilenica

somewhat immune

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Im not fibbin' now you know they ball up to keep from being eaten not from being handled lol.

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Originally Posted by Vilenica

Yes :banana: and ball pythons coil into a ball to defend themselves from their mortal enemy the king Cobra venom which they are somewhat immune to. They take a bite from the king, coil into a ball and thus cant be eaten by the cobra (snake eater) fight off the poison and bounce back. What a fascinating animal. You gotta love your balls!!!

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This is interesting. I've never heard this, and I'm not saying your wrong, but would you have some good resource information about the cobra venom immunity somewhere?
I'd really love to see it! That is definitely something I would read up on.

If not, where did you hear about it?

Ive been around reptiles for over twenty years and this was always just common knowledge to me. When I got into balls exclusively I did further research into their natural habitat, food sources etc. I read this in zoological/herp books . Im sure if you looked for it you would find something online. I would say that ballpythons are immune to many reptile venoms so surf around. I bet you didnt know theyre main source of food were Gerboas too. Theyre neat but nearly extinct now. But back to pred/prey ball pythons mortal enemies in africa are king cobras and the giant african rat (the latter also a food source)

Ummmmmm sorry but King Cobras are found in Southeast Asia and India, NOT Africa!!!!


Taken directly from Wikipedia
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The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft).[1] This species is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and parts of India, and is found mostly in forested areas. The king cobra is fierce, agile and can produce large amounts of highly potent venom in a single bite. It is one of the most dangerous and feared Asiatic snakes.[2]

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Originally Posted by vilenica

yes :banana: And ball pythons coil into a ball to defend themselves from their mortal enemy the king cobra venom which they are somewhat immune to. They take a bite from the king, coil into a ball and thus cant be eaten by the cobra (snake eater) fight off the poison and bounce back. What a fascinating animal. You gotta love your balls!!!

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wow

I apoligize for the misinforming KING Cobra I rather meant Cobra those native to africa especially in ghana, togo, benin..ie... Black-necked spitting cobra.. but I would have to say that a bp could survive a King, rattlesnake etc. as well as any venom from snakes that are big enough to eat them.

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

Would Egypt have been humid enough for them?

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It depends on which part of Egypt they would have been in. In the area of the great pyramids and Sphinx near Cairo, doubtful. But in Cleopatra's time, the capitol would have been the city of Alexandria, which is located on the Mediterranean Sea. Yes, there it would have been humid enough...

I could not find any solid information on balls being immune to cobra venom! Only peoples opinions! It would be interesting to research this!

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Originally Posted by reno-cg

Really? Cleopatra!? Very cool. I definitely agree with the fact that tribes would worship them. Snakes have been worshipped as gods for centuries before western culture (dare I say Christianity) made them into an ominous monster or devil (I don't think this image is too prevalent in today's society though). And this makes perfect sense. I guess it also makes sense that Cleopatra wore a ball python because in her time the Egyptians were deists and would worship snakes and crocodiles among other animals. But very neat nonetheless. Thanks

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I have to disagree a little bit, I feel that society still thinks of snakes to somehow be related to the devil and I can't stress enough how much I don't agree with people who think this. Now if you are looking for something creepy that may resemble something evil, I say spiders lol. They capture or kill their prey with venom and puree its insides and basically suck the life and soul out of it, now thats something that spawned from hell if you ask me lol

Interesting stuff... I also like to see some study that was done to see the effects of cobra venom on ball pythons, although I'm not sure I'd want to be the one who conducts such a test...

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Originally Posted by reno-cg

Snakes have been worshipped as gods for centuries before western culture (dare I say Christianity) made them into an ominous monster or devil (I don't think this image is too prevalent in today's society though).

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Tell that to my mother! I had to wait until I moved out to get one and then she will not stay in my house when she is in town for a visit. ;)

Sometimes I like to joke that they are called Royal Pythons because they are such finicky eaters.

Her majesty down there decided to skip again last night. :P

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Originally Posted by reno-cg

Obviously I'm not asking whether I should get one (if this was the context of the question asked, the more appropriate question would be "why not?"). In fact I own 2 ball pythons already and have big expansion plans for the future. The question I'm actually asking is, "does anybody know why they are named Python Regius? Or Royal Pythons?"

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The Ekoi people of Nigeria tell a tale of Python, who took from his mouth a shining stone and sold it to Sheep for a farm. Through a series of events the stone ended up in God's hands who placed it in the night sky whereupon it became the moon. Indeed the royal denotation of the Ball Python's scientific name (Python regius) is no accident. It was prohibited by laws for anyone but nobility to own a Ball Python, punishable by death! :O

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Originally Posted by SERPENT_MASTERS

The Ekoi people of Nigeria tell a tale of Python, who took from his mouth a shining stone and sold it to Sheep for a farm. Through a series of events the stone ended up in God's hands who placed it in the night sky whereupon it became the moon. Indeed the royal denotation of the Ball Python's scientific name (Python regius) is no accident. It was prohibited by laws for anyone but nobility to own a Ball Python, punishable by death! :O

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Interesting I heard Cleopatra Story but not This One.. I feel Noble right now... :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

Interesting I heard Cleopatra Story but not This One.. I feel Noble right now... :rofl:

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I felt the same way when i read it. :gj: we are noble lol! :bow:

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Originally Posted by Vilenica

Yes :banana: and ball pythons coil into a ball to defend themselves from their mortal enemy the king Cobra venom which they are somewhat immune to. They take a bite from the king, coil into a ball and thus cant be eaten by the cobra (snake eater) fight off the poison and bounce back. What a fascinating animal. You gotta love your balls!!!

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No offense here but the mortal enemy :rolleyes: are from South east asia and from Africa

That's a hell of a ride for either one of them :rolleyes: :rofl:

Interestingly enough you made the same mistake twice regarding king cobras

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But back to pred/prey ball pythons mortal enemies in africa are king cobras and the giant african rat (the latter also a food source)

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I am surprised you did not notice you made a mistake twice before someone pointed it out to you especially given that

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Originally Posted by Vilenica

Ive been around reptiles for over twenty years and this was always just common knowledge to me.

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Not an attack just seems like a strange mistake for someone that experienced. ;)

SIDE BAR - This species is particularly revered in the traditional religion of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is considered symbolic of the earth, being an animal that travels so close to the ground. Even among many Christian Igbos, these pythons are treated with great care whenever they happen to wander into a village or onto someone's property; they are allowed to roam freely or are very gently picked up and placed out in a forest or field away from any homes. If one is accidentally killed, many communities in Igboland will still build a coffin for the snake's remains and give it a short funeral.. :bow:

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Originally Posted by Seru1

Sometimes I like to joke that they are called Royal Pythons because they are such finicky eaters.

Her majesty down there decided to skip again last night. :P

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Maybe Her Majesty refuses to eat until you taste the food first for her...:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Maybe Her Majesty refuses to eat until you taste the food first for her...:rofl:

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I'm not Steve O and I ain't eaten no hopper :rofl:

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Originally Posted by BiggBaddWolf

Ummmmmm sorry but King Cobras are found in Southeast Asia and India, NOT Africa!!!!


Taken directly from Wikipedia
================================================
The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft).[1] This species is widespread throughout Southeast Asia and parts of India, and is found mostly in forested areas. The king cobra is fierce, agile and can produce large amounts of highly potent venom in a single bite. It is one of the most dangerous and feared Asiatic snakes.[2]

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No offence but Wikipedia is a joke.

I'm not doubting the info in this case but not a great source to quote.

Gavin