Central African rock python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:20, 12 October 2023

Revision as of 17:27, 12 October 2023

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{{Short description|Species of snake}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Central African rock python

| image = Adult Female Python sebae 1.33aspect.jpg

| image_caption = Adult female (note the thick body)

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}}

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

Africa's largest snake and one of the eight [[List of largest snakes|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 {{convert|6|m|abbr=on}}. 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=African Rock Python |url=https://www.reptilerange.com/african-rock-python/ |website=Reptile Range |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref> 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.

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==Taxonomy and etymology==

The Central African rock python is <!-- conflicts with intro one of ten species --> in the [[genus]] ''Python'', large constricting snakes found in the moist tropics of Asia and Africa.

''P. sebae'' was first described by [[Johann Friedrich Gmelin]], a German naturalist, in 1789.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634785 |taxon=''Python sebae'' |access-date=12 September 2007}}</ref> Therefore, he is also the taxon author of the species.