The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world. Adult snakes caught in Florida are between 6 and 9 feet on average, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

To learn more about the effects that their feeding style has on their bodies, Leinwand and the team compared the hearts of ball pythons (Python regius). One group of pythons had fasted for 28 days.

Most adult ball pythons eat once every 7 to 14 days. Another reason people love ball pythons is their color. There are many types, called “morphs,” that come in different colors and patterns.