# Python sebae The Python sebae, also known as the African rock python, is a large snake that can grow very long! They are great at climbing trees and love to hide in bushes. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** African Rock Python ![Python sebae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Adult_Female_Python_sebae_1.33aspect.jpg&width=800) Photo: Adult_Female_Python_sebae.jpg : Tigerpython derivative work: Materialscientist ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adult_Female_Python_sebae_1.33aspect.jpg) ## Appearance The Python sebae is a very large, robust snake with a pattern of irregular, dark blotches and bands on a brown, olive, or grey background. It has a distinctive dark, arrow-shaped mark on its head, which helps differentiate it from other large constrictors. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Pythonidae - **Genus:** Python ## Interesting facts - African rock pythons can actually climb trees, despite their enormous size! - After a giant meal, a rock python can survive for many months without eating again. - They swallow their prey whole, headfirst, sometimes taking hours for big animals! - This massive snake is Africa's longest and heaviest, growing over 6 meters! ## Special abilities - **Constriction Power:** Python sebae can squeeze its prey with immense strength to stop blood flow and breathing before swallowing it whole. - **Egg Guardian:** Python sebae has the unique ability to coil around its eggs and shiver to generate warmth for incubation. - **Stealthy Swimmer:** Python sebae can glide through water silently, using its powerful body to ambush prey near riverbanks. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 300-600 cm - **Weight:** 40-90 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 3 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 20-100 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m ## Diet & Feeding This powerful carnivore ambushes and eats various mammals, birds, and even other reptiles. - **Age differences:** Young pythons typically prey on smaller rodents and birds, while adults can tackle much larger animals. - **Primary Foods:** Rodents, Antelopes, Birds, Monitor lizards, Crocodiles, Warthogs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Impala](https://www.snappit.app/explore/impala) (*Aepyceros melampus*) — A common prey animal in its African habitat. - **Hunts:** Nile Crocodile (*Crocodylus niloticus*) — Known to ambush and consume juvenile crocodiles. - **Hunts:** [Common Warthog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-warthog) (*Phacochoerus africanus*) — Preys on young warthogs, ambushing them near water. - **Eaten by:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Hunted for meat, skin, and use in traditional medicine. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Always watch from a safe distance and never try to touch a wild snake. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Python sebae? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Python sebae? 300-600 cm ### How much does Python sebae weigh? 40-90 kg ### How long does Python sebae live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Python sebae move? 3 km/h ### What does Python sebae eat? This powerful carnivore ambushes and eats various mammals, birds, and even other reptiles. ### How fast can Python sebae swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Python sebae usually found? Savannas ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Python sebae: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/python-sebae)