Counting on Africa
Educational Childrens Books Publisher
Southern African Python
The Southern African python (AKA African rock python) is Southern Africa's largest snake and a powerful constrictor. It is a non-venomous giant, relying on its immense strength rather than poison to subdue its prey. You can identify it by its beautiful, complex pattern of blotches and stripes in shades of brown, olive, and tan, which provides excellent camouflage among the rocks and grasses of its habitat.
This python is an ambush hunter. It lies in wait near waterholes or game paths, striking with incredible speed when an unsuspecting animal comes close. It then wraps its powerful coils around the prey, squeezing gently but firmly until the animal can no longer breathe. Southern African pythons are capable of eating large animals like impala or small warthogs, but they more commonly feed on smaller creatures like rodents, monkeys, and birds. After a large meal, they may not need to eat again for many weeks.
DID YOU KNOW?
A Loving Mother
Like all pythons, the African rock python is a "cold-blooded" parent. A female will coil herself around her clutch of eggs and, by twitching her muscles, she can raise her body temperature to keep the eggs warm and safe until they hatch.
Thermal Seekers
Pythons have special heat-sensing pits along their lips. These act like thermal goggles, allowing them to "see" the warmth of their prey in total darkness, making them master hunters day or night.
Jaw Dropping
To accommodate a large meal, a python's jaw can unhinge. Its lower jaw is actually made of two separate bones connected by a stretchy ligament, allowing it to open its mouth wide enough to swallow prey much larger than its own head.
The Southern African Python is also known as the African Rock Python.
The Southern African python is Southern Africa's largest snake.
Southern African pythons are well camoflauged to help them hide from potential prey.
The Southern African Python is also known as the African Rock Python.
Find Out More About Southern African Pythons
https://fascinatingafrica.com/species/african-rock-python/
https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/african-rock-python.htm
