Adult ball pythons are generally 90 to 120 cm long. Ball pythons have smooth surface scales and two anal scales. Male snakes have larger anal scales. It looks stout, with a body much larger than the head and neck. The body color of the ball python is black, with many circular markings on the back. The abdomen is white or cream in color, sometimes with fine black streaks.

The most typical feature of the ball python is when it is threatened or nervous Will instantly curl up his body into a ball, and then bury his head in the center of the ball.