The world of snakes is incredibly diverse, with species varying greatly in size, color, and behavior. Among the most impressive are the large constrictors, such as the African Rock Python and the Burmese Python. These two members of the Python genus share many similarities, but also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart.
Two species of snakes from the genus Python have been introduced and established in Florida. The burmese python (Python molurus) was introduced first followed by the African rock python (Python sebae) establishing in South Florida.
Today, we’re going to compare the rock python vs. Specifically, we’re going to compare the Central African rock python in this case as it is the largest creature referred to as a rock python. Get ready to learn how to tell these snakes apart!
African Rock Python
General Information
African Rock Python (Python sebae)
The Central African rock python (Python sebae) is a species of large constrictor snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of 10 living species in the genus Python. Africa's largest snake and one of the eight 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 may approach or exceed 6 metres (20 ft).
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The southern species is generally smaller than its northern relative but in general, the CentralAfrican rock python is regarded as one of the longest species of snake in the world. Typically, it measures on average 3.4 metres (11 ft 2 in). Weight is drastic, some specimens may weigh less than 10 kg (22 lb), but exceptionally large specimens can exceed 91 kg (201 lb).
The African rock python is the largest known species of snake native to Africa with an average adult length of 20 feet and lengths recorded up to 30 feet.
- Scientific Name: Python sebae
- Family: Pythonidae
- Habitat: Terrestrial
- Geography: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Diet: Wide variety of prey, including antelopes, crocodiles, and porcupines
- Lifespan: 12 - 30 years
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)
The Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees. Wild individuals average 3.7 metres (12 ft) long, but may reach up to 5.74 metres (19 ft). In general, individuals over 5 metres are rare.
Burmese pythons were introduced accidentally to the Florida Everglades in 1997 most likely as an escaped pet or a release of an unwanted pet. Since their release the Burmese pythons have continued to reproduce and become established in the swamps of the everglades. It was initially believed that the Burmese python would not be able to breed in the wild, but that was proven false.
- Scientific Name: Python bivittatus
- Family: Pythonidae
- Habitat: Terrestrial
- Geography: Southeast Asia
- Diet: Carnivorous, preys on mammals, birds, and reptiles
- Lifespan: 20 years - 30 years
Burmese Python
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Key Differences
The greatest differences between the rock python and the Burmese python are their size and distribution. The Burmese python is larger than the rock python, measuring between 10 and 18 feet on average and weighing between 100 and 200 pounds. The rock python weighs between 71 and 121 pounds on average and grows between 9 and 12 feet.
Here’s a detailed comparison:
- Size: The Burmese Python is generally larger than the African Rock Python, with adults reaching lengths of up to 23 feet, while the African Rock Python typically grows to around 16 feet.
- Coloration: The African Rock Python has a more vibrant and varied coloration, with a mix of brown, black, and gold scales, while the Burmese Python is typically a uniform brown or tan color.
- Head shape: The African Rock Python has a more triangular-shaped head, while the Burmese Python has a more rounded head.
- Habitat: The African Rock Python is found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, while the Burmese Python is native to Southeast Asia.
The Central African rock python is shorter in length; 3.4 m vs 3.7 m ("Food habits of Python sebae in suburban and natural habitats" and "The Faunda Of British India Ceylon And Burma Vol-iii"), but is more robust and stout.
Scale patterns: The African Rock Python has a more irregular and varied scale pattern, while the Burmese Python has a more uniform and symmetrical scale pattern.
Physical Attributes
Burmese Pythons are dark-coloured snakes with many brown blotches bordered in black down the back. Like all snakes, Burmese Pythons are carnivorous. Their diet consists primarily of appropriately-sized birds and mammals. The snake uses its sharp rearward-pointing teeth to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey, at the same time contracting its muscles, killing the prey by constriction.
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An adult P. sebae is a huge animal, ranging from nearly 10 feet to over 20 feet in length, and females are bigger than males. It is not just long but has a robust body that can contribute to it weighing close to 200 pounds or more. It has a small, v-shaped head with a spearhead-shaped pattern on top. The body is grayish-brown, grayish-green, or yellowish with darker blotches edged in white, and the scales are smooth. The belly of the snake is white and speckled with black.
One means of identification of the Burmese python is that its hide is made of brown blotches edged in black. The blotches on the rock python are edged in white and are sometimes not as distinct and merge together more than the blotches of the other python.
Burmese Python Anatomy
Coloration: For the most part, rock pythons have a white, tan, or yellowish base color on their bodies. Rock pythons have splotches, sometimes called saddles, on their bodies. These patterns come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are close together. These splotches on a Burmese python are blocky, larger than the rock python’s saddles, and appear to fit together like puzzle pieces. They are dark brown in many cases.
Moreover, the Burmese python has a V-shaped splotch on its head with a thick tan line running down the middle of it. Finally, the Burmese python has a yellowish underside with all yellowish ventral scales, while the rock python has yellowish, cream-colored, and black scales on its underside.
Diet and Predatory Behavior
The rock python and Burmese python have some similar elements in their diet. They are both carnivores. However, the rock python’s distribution in the world allows it to eat some unique creatures that are not found anywhere else. For example, this snake can eat cheetah and lion cubs, small crocodiles, wild dogs, and impalas.
The Burmese python eats birds, rats, foxes, raccoons, domesticated dogs and cats, goats, and more. They have also been spotted eating small alligators, too!
The Burmese python is known for attacking and killing alligators for prey, but the African rock python is considered more viscous and aggressive. Both Python species have been observed to attack humans and several other large prey items. Household pets, children, and wildlife are at most risk of attack.
The largest animal ever eaten by a rock python was a 150-pound hyena. The incident was recorded in 2017.
Python Eating Wildebeest
Hunting Strategy: Like all snakes, the python has a Jacobson’s organ that allows it to pick up chemical signals produced by potential prey. They also have pits along their mouth that can detect heat given off by warm-blooded animals. Once the prey is detected, the reptile follows it or waits for it to come within range. Then, it will strike, grab the animal with its teeth and wrap its coils around it. Pythons don’t crush their prey but suffocate it until it dies from heart failure.
Temperament and Aggression
Both Python species are non venomous, but are considered dangerous because of their strong jaw and aggressive behavior. The Burmese python and the African rock pythons are known for their aggressive behaviors and ability to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.
It is one of the most aggressive pythons in the world, and may attack animals and people if provoked. Less specimens are kept captive compared to some other constrictors (i.e. Burmese pythons) due to its aggressive nature.
Rock pythons are famous for being aggressive.
Though it is considered bad-tempered, the Burmese python is still not as aggressive as the rock python.
“In captivity, Burmese pythons are like pussycats,” said Robert Reed, research wildlife biologist for the United States Geological Survey's invasive species branch in Colorado.
🐍Differences Between Burmese and Reticulated Pythons🐍
Reproduction
Burmese pythons are considered solitary animals and mating season is indicated by mature adults seen in pairs. Females lay eggs with clutch sizes of up to 100 eggs that are cared for by the mother through heat producing muscle contractions that looks like shivering. Similarly African rock pythons will lay eggs with a clutch size ranging from 30 to 60 eggs and clutch sizes of 100 eggs possible.
The snakes are ready to breed when they’re between three and five years old, which is when females are about 8.86 feet long, and males are about 5.9 feet long. The snakes mate in the late fall to late winter or early spring. Both males and females stop eating at this time, and the female won’t eat again until her eggs hatch. She’ll lay them about three months after mating in an abandoned burrow, a cave, a hollow tree, or a termite mound. A clutch can contain from 20 to as many as 100 surprisingly large, hard-shelled eggs. She’ll guard them until they hatch, which is 65 to 80 days after they were laid. Hatchlings are independent at birth. Some mothers take no more care of their babies, while others guard them for as long as two weeks.
Invasive Species in Florida
In 2002 an additional invasive python was discovered in the Everglades, the African rock python. Wildlife authorities are working to contain the two Python sp. in the everglades before they expand further into the state of Florida.
With the recent introduction of the African rock python, experts have developed a "Python patrol" in an effort to eradicate populations of both species before a hybrid is formed.
To date, wildlife have suffered the greatest loss from the introduction of the pythons because they can quietly sneak up on prey better than native alligators.
Since 2013, Florida has hosted the Python Challenge, which recruits citizens to hunts as many pythons as possible.
If left unchecked, rock pythons could wipe out endangered birds, and change Florida's natural habitat as far north as Orlando.
While scientists consider the invasion of Burmese pythons irreversible, rock pythons have yet to become so ubiquitous.
A few baby rock pythons were found this year west of Miami, leading some scientists to conclude that a breeding population already exists in the state.
Python Hunters
What to Do If You See a Python
If you have seen a python it is important to notify local wildlife management authorities immediately. Both introduced species of pythons are known for their aggression and it is not safe for untrained individuals to approach these animals.
