Africa's largest snake and one of the world's heaviest constrictors, blotched with rich brown and tan along its long, muscular body.
Description
Adults typically reach 4 to 5 m and can rarely exceed 6 m, with thick muscular bodies covered in irregular brown, olive, and tan blotches outlined in black. The triangular head bears a distinctive arrow-shaped marking that helps separate it from its cousins.
Behavior
A powerful ambush predator, it lies in wait near water and game trails before striking and constricting large mammals. After a big meal, individuals may not feed again for months. Females coil around their clutch of 30 to 50 eggs and shiver to keep them warm.
Range
Found across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to KwaZulu-Natal. The smaller southern subspecies P. natalensis is sometimes treated as a separate species. Invasive populations established in southern Florida in the 2000s.
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African Rock Python starts with A and ends with N. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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