African Rock Python

Scientific Name: Python sebae

• Habitat: African rock pythons are widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting savannas, forests, riverbanks, and wetlands. They prefer areas near water and are often found in rocky outcrops, dense vegetation, and grasslands.
• Diet: These pythons are constrictors, preying on mammals, birds, reptiles, and occasionally livestock. They can consume large prey due to their powerful musculature, swallowing animals whole after suffocating them. Juveniles feed on smaller vertebrates and insects.
• Physical Characteristics: African rock pythons are among the largest snakes in the world, commonly reaching 3–5 meters (10–16 feet) in length, with exceptional individuals exceeding 6 meters (20 feet). Their coloration is typically dark brown with irregular blotches and stripes that provide camouflage. They are heavy-bodied with strong, muscular scales and a broad head.
• Lifespan: In the wild, rock pythons typically live 15–20 years, while in captivity they can exceed 25 years with proper care.
• Reproduction: African rock pythons reach sexual maturity at around 4–5 years. Females lay clutches of 20–100 eggs after a gestation of approximately 2–3 months, which they incubate by coiling around the eggs. Hatchlings emerge after 80–90 days and are independent from birth, relying on stealth and camouflage to survive.
• Conservation Status: The African rock python is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, though local populations are threatened by habitat destruction and human persecution due to fear and livestock predation. Conservation efforts emphasize habitat protection and community education to reduce human–snake conflicts.