Royal Python
A heavy-bodied, gentle python that rarely exceeds 1.5m. Famously fussy feeders, and available in hundreds of morphs — some of which carry serious defects.
Key facts
Lifespan
20–30 years
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
First-time owners
Experience helps
About the Royal Python
Royal (ball) pythons are calm, slow-moving snakes that curl into a ball when nervous. They are nocturnal, need higher humidity than corn snakes, and are notorious for going off food for weeks or months, which alarms new keepers. Morph breeding has produced some lines with genuine welfare problems: spider and related morphs carry a neurological 'wobble', and super-forms of several morphs are lethal or severely deformed.
Living with a Royal Python
Minimum 120cm vivarium for an adult, alone. Warm end 30–32°C, cool end 24–26°C, humidity 55–65% with a humid hide.
- Good with children
- Good with other pets
- Suitable for first-time owners
Health
Conditions this breed is commonly predisposed to. This is general information, not veterinary advice — speak to a vet about any specific animal.
- Prolonged voluntary fasting — normal, but needs weight monitoring
- Respiratory infection if humidity or temperature is wrong
- Neurological 'wobble' in spider and related morphs
- Scale rot; retained shed
Ask the breeder for
- Ask for a detailed feeding record and current weight
- Avoid spider, champagne and related morphs on welfare grounds
Buying a Royal Python
PAAG's standards prohibit advertising spider morph royal pythons because of the inherited wobble defect. Choose a morph without known neurological problems.
Read the full safe-buying guideRoyal Pythons for sale
No Royal Python adverts are live right now. New adverts are posted daily — or set your sights a little wider.
All reptiles for saleRoyal Python FAQs
How long do Royal Pythons live?
A Royal Python typically lives 20–30 years.
Are Royal Pythons good for first-time owners?
Royal Pythons are better suited to owners with previous experience, because of their training, exercise or handling needs.
What health tests should a Royal Python breeder have done?
Ask for a detailed feeding record and current weight. Avoid spider, champagne and related morphs on welfare grounds.
Breed information is general guidance compiled by the PetHome team. Every animal is an individual — meet it, and its mother, before you commit. This is not veterinary advice.