Post by Ceratodromeus on May 17, 2015 23:56:00 GMT 5
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Genus: Python
Species: P. sebae
Description: The african rock python is the largest species of snake on the African continent. They are very heavy bodied snakes, averaging lengths of 3-4meters(9.8 - 13.1ft){1} and weigh 40-50kg, depending on locality. They can grow up to astonishing sizes, large individuals of the species grow out to 5-6 meters, and weigh as much as 90kg. The largest confirmed specimen measured at least 7 meters. Supporting screen shot can be found below
{2}
Typical coloration is a dark brown with black and yellow banding.The belly is a creamy white with black speckling that varies between individuals.
Distribution:
These snakes can be found throughout Northern sub-saharan African.They spend much of their time amongst rocky outcrops, taking in the sunlight. When they're not doing this, they can be found laying amongst shrubbery.
Dietary habits: Being as large as this python is, it will try to consume any animal that it can overpower and constrict. Vervet monkeys, Chacma baboons, Nile crocodiles, Dwarf crocodiles, nile monitor lizards, Springbok antelope,and wildabeest calves have all been noted as prey items.{1,3} Their diet consists primarily of small mammals (Murids). Where they occur near settlements, they've been known to take Domestic goats & poultry, even the occasional dog. Humans too,have fallen prey to these snakes.{4,5}
Reproduction: The African rock python's mating season occurs in the spring, and the young hatch from their eggs( of which the female can lay as many as 100) roughly 90 days later. Unlike other large pythons, the African rock will watch after her young for a many as three weeks after they hatch. The young are approximately 2ft in length, and have coloration identical to that of their parents -- although color contrast is more apparent in young animals.{6}
References:
{1} Luiselli, Luca, Francesco M. Angelici, and Godfrey C. Akani. "Food habits of Python sebae in suburban and natural habitats." African Journal of Ecology 39.1 (2001): 116-118.
{2} O'shea, Mark. " Boas and pythons of the world". New Holland Publishers. Pg.23.
{3}Headland, Thomas N., and Harry W. Greene. "Hunter–gatherers and other primates as prey, predators, and competitors of snakes." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108.52 (2011): E1470-E1474.
{4}Branch, W. R., and W. D. Hacke. "A fatal attack on a young boy by an African rock python Python sebae." Journal of Herpetology (1980): 305-307.
{5} Flanagan, Jane (24 November 2002). "Hunt for giant snake that ate 10-year-old Durban boy whole". The Telegraph (Johannesburg: Telegraph Media Group Limited).
{6} Starin, E. D.; Burghardt, G. M. (1992). "African rock pythons (Python sebae) in the Gambia: observations on natural history and interactions with humans". The Snake 24: 50–62.