African Rock Python
Scientific Name
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Order
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Estimated Wild Population
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Physical Description
African rock pythons, Africa’s largest snakes, can measure up to 25 feet long (10–15 feet is more typical) and are covered in brown, olive, and yellow blotches. These snakes have a triangle-shaped head marked with a brown spear-head shape outlined in yellow. Although they spend most of their time on the ground, they can also climb trees and swim. They are fairly solitary, only seeking other pythons to breed. Females lay 20–50 eggs at a time in nests made inside abandoned animal burrows, termite mounds, and caves.
Interesting Fact 1
African rock pythons hunt a variety of large animals, such as monkeys, fruit bats, monitor lizards, crocodiles, chickens, dogs, and goats.
Interesting Fact 2
Although these snakes are non-venomous, they can be defensive when threatened, biting with large, curved teeth and constricting with great force.
Interesting Fact 3
There are two common subspecies: the northern African rock python found from south of the Sahara to northern Angola, and the southern African rock python found from Kenya to the Cape of Good Hope.
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