African Rock Python -
Python sebae sebae
The African Rock Python is
a large, constricting snake that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. The
adult African Rock Python's main predator is man; it is killed for
its beautiful skin, meat, and fat (used in tribal medicines). Other
predators include crocodiles, badgers, and mongooses.
Like all snakes, pythons are cold-blooded;
they are the same temperature as the environment. They continue
to grow all their lives, getting bigger and bigger each year. African
Rock Python average 18 to 20 feet long, but can grow up to 28 feet
(8.5 m) long. Their scaly skin glistens but is dry is to the touch.
African Rock Pythons are tan with brown spots that have black outlines.
A tan V-shape marks the face. The python smells using its tongue.
This snake has has no fangs. It uses heat sensing organs in its
upper and lower jaws to detect warm-blooded prey (like mammals).
Pythons are carnivores (meat-eaters).
Pythons are not venomous, they kill by constricting (squeezing)
the prey it until it can no longer breathe. Like all snakes, they
swallow the prey whole, head first. The python's top and bottom
jaws are attached to each other with stretchy ligaments, which let
the snake swallow animals wider that itself. Snakes don't chew their
food, it is digested by very strong acids in the snake's stomach.
The African Rock Python eats monkeys, pigs, deer, small apes, birds,
and other animals. After eating a large animal, the python needs
no food for a long time, and may rest for weeks. In this engorged
state, it is most vulnerable to attack by predators.
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