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Last updated : 11/03/2007

This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 8. Links - Species Specific and the Section: Snakes: Pythons

Introduction

This page contains a selection of the best links found on the reptile species: African Rock Python (Python sebae & Python sebae natalensis). The navigation table on the top left will take you directly to the defined topics, such as  Natural Habitat, Captive care, Breeders, Pictures, More information, Other information and Taxonomy.

Please feel free to advise any incorrect allocations or descriptions and to request any additional links to your favorite website on this subject.

A brief snippet about African Pythons (excl Ball Pythons)

A brief introduction to the species will be inserted here ..... coming soon! In the interim we have a number of links on the species, listed on this page.

Department of Vertebrates - Herpetology Collection The Genus that consists of nine species have some of the longest snakes measuring up to 10.5 metres. They are not as big in diameter as the Boas that have an exceeding girth and measure up to 9 metres in length. Some fossil records are however more impressive measuring up to 15 metres in length. The are usually light brown to grey brown with transverse blotches and dark bands alongside the body.

The female incubates and protects the eggs by coiling around them. Clutch size can be up to 100 eggs. The average is closer to 40 eggs. The incubation period is approximately 3 months. Hatchlings are 18-24 inches long.

The African rock python lives in the tropical African savanna that stretches through Africa like a belt. Savannas have rolling plains of tall grasses and scattered trees.

This family as would be expected has some of the largest snakes in the family, including the Reticulated Python that may attain a length in excess of 10m. In Southern Africa we have no Boa’s. Pythons do have a few enlarged head scales but the majority are small in an irregular pattern. Male normally have spurs to either side of the cloaca. Females may have them, but they are smaller than in males.

Characteristics : A snake with a huge size potential, and a bad reputation. May behave more aggressively than other boids. True captive born babies are generally tame and make reasonable pets. Avoid large wild caught snakes, they are typically nervous and may never establish themselves as suitable pets.

Wild Status Widespread throughout its range but diminishing in numbers. Large animals are becoming rare due to man's impact on the species. African rock pythons are used extensively for the skin trade, with skin export quotas upwards of 9300 for the year 2002. When encountered in the bush, the African rock python is often immediately killed for its skin, meat or the simple fact that it is a snake.

The African rock python (Python sebae) is a large snake with care requirements similar to those of the Burmese or the reticulated python. While many people have satisfactory experiences with these large pets, there are a number of cases on record in which people have been killed or attacked.

Central African Rock Python Basic Information and Care Requirements
Introduction: This sheet deals with the Central African Rock Python. South African Rock Pythons will be handled seperatly.

Introduction: This sheet deals with the South African Rock Python. These pythons are among the true giant snakes, considered the third largest species.

The African Rock Python is the third largest snake in the world growing to an average size of 18 to 20 feet long, but can grow up to 28 feet long!

Natal's python (Python natalensis ) Very hard to find in captivity Captive breed babies from half striped parents

The snake in this picture had eaten a full grown Impala ewe and, sadly, caught itself in an electric fence. Over four metres in length, this was a large specimen.

The African Rock Python (Python sebae) occurs in the tropical Africa savanna of southern Africa. Large adults can reach more than 20 feet in length and weigh hundreds of pounds. The animal shown here was quite small, perhaps 18 inches in length.

A 16ft female African Rock Python Python sebae sebae photographed at Knaresborough Zoo 1982 by myself

African rock pythons are highly dependent on water sources, and estivate during the hottest and dryest parts of the year, remaining deep in burrows made by other animals. They are opportunistic predators, and will consume almost any animal they come across which they can overpower with constriction.

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Last updated : 13-01-2008