A ball python from Leinwand’s lab. CREDIT: Yuxiao Tan. Compared with the hearts of pythons who hadn’t eaten, the fed pythons increased their own mass by close to 25 percent after eating.

The ball python is non-venomous and native to central and West Africa, not Georgia. The couple fears it won’t fare well in this environment as the temperatures drop.

Residents of St. Augustine's Prairie Lakes neighborhood found more than 20 ball pythons roaming their neighborhood in July alone, including under car hoods.

A team of trackers found 500 pounds of snake in a South Florida marsh last month, according to the Miami Herald.

Do ball pythons like to be cuddled? Once a ball python becomes comfortable in its environment, it may bond with its human companion.

Residents of St. Augustine's Prairie Lakes neighborhood found more than 20 ball pythons roaming their neighborhood in July alone, including under car hoods.