Would a ball python attack a cat?

Question
I have a 4-5 month old royal ball python, about 2 feet long.

The other day he found a way out of his tank (we still cant figure it out)
his tank has a lock on it ans was lock at the time of escape.
Good news - i found him
bad news - i think we need a new tank.

Anyways, we also have 2 cats, a 1yr 5mth old and a 3 year old cat.
While we were looking for the snake both cats were helping... but the older cat was tip toeing around the apartment very cautiously.  when i found the snake i showed both cats so the knew he was found.  (they're very intelligent cats).  the younger cat seemed relived, however the older cat seems terrified.  i think they might have found him while I was at work and the snake may have attacked the cat. (my finance left for work and the animals were alone for about 3 hours)
I;m new to reptiles and don't know if he would attack the cat as it is MUCH bigger then him.  i know normally they would only attack for food... and i know he couldn't eat her... but would he also attack if the cat cornered him?

Answer
Hi Val,

A ball python would attack a cat if it got to close, but it could not harm the cat. The cat on the other hand could and would kill the snake.

So I would not recommend you allowing either one come into contact with the other.

I hope this helps, and by the way it is nice to hear you found him so quickly.

You should stop by my site and browse around as well as become a member of the ball python planet forum.

Eric Rovegno
www.ballpythonplanet.com