Central African rock python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:10, 26 March 2025

Revision as of 12:23, 26 March 2025

Line 36:

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 canmay approach or exceed {{cvt|76|m}}. 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. 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, becausethough ofit itsis highly aggressive naturenonvenomous and itsvery ocasionalrarely man-eatingkills behaviorhumans. 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.

==Taxonomy and etymology==

Line 101:

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 105-DOA0917, Deutsch-Ostafrika, Riesenschlange2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|alt=black and white photo, showing three African men dressed in loincloths holding an outstretched snake|Early 1900s, East Africa]]

Documented attacks on humans are relativelyexceptionally rare, despite the species being common in many regions of Africa, and living in diverse habitats including those with agricultural activity.<ref name=ark9/> However, severalFew deaths are well-substantiated, with no reports of a human being consumed.<ref name=ark9/> Large specimens (which are more common in Western Africa) "willwould have no difficulty in eating adult humans".,<ref name=ark9/> though it would have to be a small adult human.

==== Well-substantiated attacks ====

* A scholarly article published in 1980 said no prior well-substantiated fatalities were reported of humans killed by Central African rock pythons, and the only prior such attack by any type of python or boa was by a reticulated python in 1927.<ref name=ark9/>

* In 1973, during the Angolan War of Independence near [[Saurimo]], Angola, a grown man (soldier of the MPLA's army) was killed and eaten by a large African rock python.<ref name=ark9/> Other soldiers later killed the snake and the body of the man was recovered from the snake's stomach. Several photographs were taked and this incident was later documanted by herpetologist Wolf Haacke. This remains the first confirmed case of a human being consumed by a python.

* In 1979 in [[Waterberg District Municipality|Waterberg District]], Limpopo Province (then Northern Transvaal), South Africa, a {{convert|4.5|m|feet|sp=us}} Central African rock python killed a 13-year-old boy.<ref name=ark9/> The victim died due to suffocation and internal injuries; his body was released by the python after intervention by an adult man some 20 minutes after the attack began.<ref name=ark9/> The victim's head was covered in saliva, and scientists thought "it could have easily swallowedsucceeded in swallowing" the {{convert|1.3|m|feet|sp=us}}, {{Convert|45|kg}} boy had it not been interrupted.<ref name=ark9/>

* In 1999 in [[Centralia, Illinois]], a 3-year-old boy was suffocated during the night by an escaped {{convert|7.5|ft|adj=on|abbr=on|order=flip}} pet African rock python.<ref name=chitrib>{{cite news| work=Chicago Tribune | title=Centralia family's python suffocates 3-year-old boy | date=30 August 1999 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/08/30/centralia-familys-python-suffocates-3-year-old-boy/ | access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AGN: Couple acquitted in child's death by python |url=http://amarillo.com/stories/2000/03/25/usn_LA0687.shtml |date=25 March 2000|work=Amarillo Globe-News}}</ref> Bite marks around the boy's neck and ears may have resulted from an attempt to swallow him.<ref name=chitrib/>

* In 2013 in [[Campbellton, New Brunswick|Campbellton]], New Brunswick, Canada, two brothers aged four and six were reportedly killed by a {{convert|14|to|16|ft|adj=on|abbr=on|order=flip}}, {{convert|45|kg|adj=on|abbr=on}} Central African rock python kept by a pet shop owner.<ref name=cbc01>{{cite news| title=Reports into boys' python deaths still under wraps | work=CBC News | publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=12 September 2013 | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/reports-into-boys-python-deaths-still-under-wraps-1.1706099| access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=boesveld/> The circumstances of the incident prompted some skepticism from experts not involved in the case.<ref name=boesveld>{{cite news | title='Very, very strange': Snake handlers, experts baffled by New Brunswick python attack | date=6 August 2013 | last=Boesveld | first=Sarah | work=National Post | publisher=Postmedia Network Inc. | url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08/06/very-very-strange-snake-handlers-experts-baffled-by-new-brunswick-python-attack/ }}</ref> An autopsy showed that the boys died of asphyxiation,<ref name=cbc01/> which does not fit with how constricting snakes kill.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gill|first=Victoria|title=Boa constrictors' lethal secret revealed|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33625080|work=BBC News|date=23 July 2015|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> The owner was charged with [[criminal negligence]] for not adequately protecting the boys from the snake.<ref name=thestarcharged>{{cite news | title=Man charged in python asphyxiation death of boys| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/03/31/man-charged-in-python-asphyxiation-death-of-boys.html | publisher=Toronto Star | date=March 31, 2015 | access-date=March 31, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/story/man-charged-over-brothers-killed-by-python-10365431 |title=Man Charged over Brothers Killed by Python |access-date=2018-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806062000/http://news.sky.com/story/man-charged-over-brothers-killed-by-python-10365431 |archive-date=2017-08-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''(See [[2013 New Brunswick python attack|main article]]).''