Ball python vs Lesser African python
The lesser African python is heavier: 73 kg against 5.05 kg for the ball python, about 14 times the weight.
Photo: HCA ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
No freely licensed photo yet
What is the difference between a ball python and a lesser African python?
Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.
- The lesser African python is heavier: 73 kg against 5.05 kg for the ball python, about 14 times the weight.
- The ball python is longer-lived: 47.5 years against 30 years for the lesser African python, about 58% longer.
- Both belong to the genus Python, so they are close relatives.
Side by side
| Ball python | Lesser African python | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Python regius | Python natalensis |
| Family | Pythonidae | Pythonidae |
| Order | Squamata | Squamata |
| Weight | 1.24 kg – 8.86 kg | 73 kg |
| Length | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Lifespan | 47.4 years – 47.5 years | 27.3 years – 30 years |
| Main food | Not recorded | Not recorded |
| Habitat | forest, grassland, shrubland | Not recorded |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Not recorded |
| Countries recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.
Full record: Ball pythonFull record: Lesser African pythonCompare other animals