Monty was placed here at the Park by a private owner whose children doted on this friendly girl until it was time for them to head off to college. The family then reached out to us, wanting Monty to continue receiving all the attention this outgoing snake craves—and we are happy to oblige!
As a species, these nonvenomous reptiles, native to West and Central Africa, kill prey by constriction but don’t tend to be aggressive. Generally, they’d rather escape, bluff, or camouflage themselves from potential threats. They get their name from their defensive behavior of coiling up into a tight ball with their head at the center.
The species is also known in some areas as the royal python, and we don’t think Monty will mind being addressed as “Your Royal Highness.” She now resides and receives visitors near fellow reptiles in the Park’s Education Room.