How Many Teeth Do Ball Pythons Have?

Ball pythons have a lot more teeth than most people expect. These gentle, popular pet snakes are equipped with roughly 100 to 150 small, sharp teeth arranged in four rows on the upper jaw and two rows on the lower jaw. While that sounds intimidating, ball python teeth are tiny and designed for gripping prey, not causing serious harm to humans.

What Ball Python Teeth Look Like

Ball python teeth are small, needle like, and curved backward (recurved). Each tooth is only a few millimeters long, even in adult snakes. The backward curve serves an important purpose. Once the snake grabs its prey, those hooked teeth act like tiny barbs, making it extremely difficult for the prey to pull free.

If you get a chance to look at a ball python’s open mouth (usually during a yawn), you can see the rows of teeth along the jaw line. They are white, translucent, and surprisingly uniform in size. Unlike venomous snakes, ball pythons do not have fangs. Every tooth is roughly the same shape and size.

How Ball Pythons Use Their Teeth

Ball pythons are constrictors, which means they kill their prey by squeezing rather than by venom. Their teeth play a specific role in this process. When a ball python strikes at prey, it uses its teeth to grab and hold on. Once the teeth are embedded, the snake quickly wraps coils around the prey and begins constricting.

After the prey is subdued, the ball python uses its teeth to “walk” the prey into its mouth. Snakes cannot chew. Instead, they alternately advance the left and right sides of their jaw, using their teeth to gradually pull the prey deeper into their throat. Those backward facing teeth ensure the prey only moves in one direction: down.

Do Ball Python Bites Hurt

Ball python bites are not particularly painful for most people. A bite from a baby ball python feels like a light scratch or a quick pin prick. An adult ball python bite is a bit more noticeable since the teeth are slightly larger and the strike is more powerful, but it is still comparable to being scratched by a cat.

The most surprising thing about a ball python bite is usually the speed of the strike rather than the pain. Ball pythons can strike incredibly fast, and most bites happen before you even register what happened. The bite itself leaves small puncture marks that may bleed a little but heal quickly.

The best thing to do if your ball python bites you is to stay calm and let the snake release on its own. Pulling away while the teeth are embedded can cause more damage because those recurved teeth will tear the skin. If the snake does not release, gently pouring cool water over its head usually does the trick. For more about ball pythons as pets, check out our breed guide.

Do Ball Pythons Lose Their Teeth

Yes, ball pythons regularly lose and replace their teeth throughout their entire lives. This is called polyphyodonty, and it is common in most reptiles. A ball python always has replacement teeth growing in behind the functional ones, so if a tooth breaks or falls out during feeding, there is always a new one ready to take its place.

You might occasionally find a tiny tooth in your ball python’s water bowl or stuck in a prey item. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. The tooth will be replaced within a few weeks.

Can You See a Ball Python’s Teeth

Under normal circumstances, you will not see your ball python’s teeth because they are hidden behind the lips. The best time to catch a glimpse is during a yawn (which ball pythons do occasionally to realign their jaws after eating) or during feeding when the mouth is open wide.

Never try to pry your ball python’s mouth open to look at its teeth. This can injure the snake’s jaw and cause significant stress. If you are concerned about your ball python’s dental health (for example, if you notice swelling around the mouth or retained prey teeth), consult a reptile veterinarian.