This is a link to Youtube. I found this video and though I don't know what is being said it has some footage of Royal pythons on the African continent and you can see how the snakes are treated there.
It's a long video but I watched it all the way through and liked seeing these little guys in an environment other than a cage.
The youtube link is blocked for me here, but if this is not the "Ball Pythons in the Wild" video by Dr. Steve Gorzula you should check that one out. Has lots of the footage you're talking about.
Lucifer Sam, Siam cat...
Always sitting by your side,
Always by your side...
That cat's something I can't explain...