Why Python Regius?

[Vilenica]

somewhat immune

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

[blackcrystal22]

Yes 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!!!

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?

[Vilenica]

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)

[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]

[king216]

yes 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!!!

wow

[Vilenica]

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.

[Vypyrz]

Would Egypt have been humid enough for them?

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...

[seeya205]

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

[DJ_Bizarre]

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

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

[Greez1986]

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...