Here is the response I have received from Saba Douglas-Hamilton:
"Dear Madam,

You are right that I have misrepresented Python regius, and I'd like to offer you my sincere apology. I was informed I would be handling an African Rock Python, and only saw the snake for the first time when it was put into my hands during the show. It was only after I came off stage that I realised my mistake.

I am a great lover of snakes but am no herpetologist. My expertise lies with mammals. Unfortunately one is required to handle four animals on the Today show within one's short segment whether they have relevance to your show or not, and no matter if they are out of your area of expertise. Whilst I collected rock pythons as a child I have not before come into contact with a ball python. It was an honest mistake and I should have been properly informed of the snake species by the organisers before we were live on air.

All the best,

Ms. Douglas-Hamilton"