Do you have ophidiophobia, or a snake phobia? Avoid the largest serpent in Africa, the African rock python (Python sebae), if you do. With a maximum length of six meters, this python can attack a human and even begin to swallow them. Fortunately, these kinds of situations are very uncommon. In all honesty, this powerful reptile is among the most amazing animals to see when on safari.

Our goal at Monumental Expeditions and Safaris is to provide you with all the information you need to have a fun time seeing African animals. And a safe one, of course! These are our top 5:

Five Interesting Things to Know About the African Rock Python

This snake is not poisonous, like all pythons. By ambushing and coiling around its target, it kills by constriction, tightening its coils each time the victim exhales. Instead of asphyxiation or crushing, cardiac arrest causes death.

African rock pythons consume a wide variety of prey, including medium-sized animals, birds, and bats. Warthogs, bushbucks, and even crocodiles are eaten whole by the larger python. Goats, dogs, and poultry are also vulnerable to attacks. It takes months to digest a large meal.
20–100 large, hard-shelled eggs are laid by African rock pythons in caves, termite mounds, or old animal burrows.

For up to two weeks after hatching, the mother protects the babies by coiling around her clutch, shielding them from predators and possibly aiding in their incubation.

In terms of evolution, pythons are among the most basic snakes. has tiny thorn-like spines on the lower body and two working lungs (more sophisticated snakes only have one). They are referred to as pelvic spurs and are thought to be the remains of the hind limbs.

Two subspecies of the African rock python are recognized by scientists: the somewhat smaller Python sebae natalensis (Southern African rock python) and the larger Python sebae sebae (African rock python). Southern Tanzania and further south are home to the smaller Python sebae natalensis, which is thought to be a distinct species from Python natalensis.

That’s it. Make seeing an African rock python a top priority on your safari to-do list if you’re a snake fan or simply inquisitive. We guarantee that, despite the presence of snakes, Tanzania, a beautiful country in east Africa, offers a wealth of natural delights.