African Rock Python (Python sebae spp.)
Contributed by:Stuart Dodsworth of EAWT

This article is only meant as an introduction, and you should still read several other care sheets before acquiring your animal.

Distribution

In its wild status the African Rock Python ranges throughout Africa (South of the Sahara Desert). It is still reasonably common, although it is extensively hunted for the skin trade - consequently the larger specimens are becoming rare.

Size

The average size of an adult female is 16 - 20 feet although sizes exceeding this can and do occur. The males tend to be a lot smaller and slower in their growth, often not exceeding 12 feet in length. There is a smaller subspecies which occasionally occurs in captivity (Python sebae nattilensis). This species rarely exceeds 12 feet in length. Its colours are a lot more vivid than Python sebae sebae.

Diet

Their main diet consists of pink mice and fuzzies for hatchlings. As the snake grows, so will the frequency and amount of food given as well as an increase in prey size, from pink mice to eventually large rabbits and poultry. Pythons should be fed in a separate feeding container, this will help to condition your snake not to expect food in its vivarium and also to prevent it from ingesting any substrate.

Requirements

Heat Source: This can be either reflector spot lights in green, red or blue. Ceramics or tubular heaters can also be used although heat mats are a useful alternative.

UV Light Source: Although there is a lot of controversy regarding the use of UV supplementation with snakes, many herpetologists wouldn't be without one. It has therefore been included here as a suggestion and the recommended type for snakes until further scientific research proves otherwise is a 2.0% UV light. This should be left on for 8 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer. If you decide to use a UV with your snake, care should be taken if your snake is albino as the light intensity could have detrimental effects on the eyes of the snake. Vitamin D3 supplements should also be kept to a minimum.

Housing: This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. Hatchlings would require a small hatchling tub (a pen pal is suitable) which can be housed in a heated vivarium. An adult snake requires a vivarium which is at least half as long as its body, with a width of at least a third of the length of the snake.

Thermostat:An essential part of every vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.

Wire Mesh Guards:These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.

Thermometers:One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.

Hides:These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Rock Pythons particularly like hollow logs and dark, quiet hides. The majority of the vivarium should be uncluttered floor space though - this is for the handlers safety.

Water:These animals require a water container which will allow them to bathe without constriction. This water should be changed daily as this is also the water they drink.

Temperature:These snakes require a temperature gradient of 33.5°C (92°F) at the hot end, down to 27.5°C (80°F) at the cooler end.

Longevity

African Rock Pythons live for an average of 20 years although snakes over the age of 25 years are not uncommon.

Substrate

This can be anything from newspaper, brown paper or even astro turf. Whatever you use remember that it must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent contamination from disease.

N.B.

Should only be kept by experienced keepers. This species of python has a reputation for being aggressive. Captive bred specimens may tame with patient handling, but wild caught specimens may never adjust. This species should never be kept in households containing the elderly or children.

Salmonella

Many reptiles carry the naturally forming bacteria Salmonella. It must be stated that salmonella bacteria can only be contracted by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal.