Central African rock python

Central African rock python
Adult female (note the thick body)
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Pythonidae
Genus:	Python
Species:	P. sebae
Binomial name
Python sebae (Gmelin, 1789)
Range of Python sebae   Range of Python natalensis   Range of hybrids
Synonyms[2]
Synonymy Coluber sebae Gmelin, 1789 Coluber speciosus Bonnaterre, 1790 Boa hieroglyphica Schneider, 1801 Python houttuyni Daudin, 1803 Python liberiensis Hallowell, 1845 Hortulia sebae – Gray, 1849 Boa liberiensis – Hallowell, 1854 Python sebae – Boettger, 1887 Python sebae – Boulenger, 1893 Python jubalis Pitman, 1936 Python sebae sebae – Broadley, 1983 Python sebae – Branch, 1991 Python sebae – Kluge, 1993

The Central African rock python (Python sebae) is a species of large constrictor snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of 10 living species in the genus Python.

Africa's largest snake and one of the eight largest snake species in the world (along with the green anaconda, reticulated python, Burmese python, Southern African rock python, Indian python, yellow anaconda and Australian scrub python), specimens may approach or exceed 6 m (20 ft). The southern species is generally smaller than its northern relative but in general, the Central African rock python is regarded as one of the longest species of snake in the world.^[3] The snake is found in a variety of habitats, from forests to near deserts, although usually near sources of water. The snake becomes dormant during the dry season. The Central African rock python kills its prey by constriction and often eats animals up to the size of antelope, occasionally even crocodiles. The snake reproduces by egg-laying. Unlike most snakes, the female protects her nest and sometimes even her hatchlings.

The snake is widely feared, though it is nonvenomous and very rarely kills humans. Although the snake is not endangered, it does face threats from habitat reduction and hunting. Some cultures in sub-Saharan Africa consider it a delicacy, which may pose a threat to its population.