Angola Python

The Python anchietae, a nonvenomous python species native to southern Africa, is named in honor of the Portuguese naturalist José Alberto de Oliveira Anchieta. This snake, closely related to the ball python of western Africa, can grow up to 183 cm (approximately 6 feet) in length. Its striking appearance features a reddish-brown to almost black body adorned with white or cream-colored bands and spots. Notable characteristics include bead-like head scales and heat-sensitive pits on its upper lip.

The Python anchietae can be found in Angola and Namibia, where it favors rocky outcrops within open brush or grassland areas. Active during the day, these pythons seek shelter in caves, overhangs, and crevices. They exhibit a calm temperament similar to that of the ball python and primarily prey on small mammals and birds. Reproductively, they lay clutches of four to five eggs, although details regarding their egg incubation and maternal care remain largely unknown. Newborns typically measure between 43 and 46 cm (approximately 17-18 inches) in length.

Regrettably, this species is rare in captivity. The civil war in Angola has resulted in regions being littered with landmines, making the capture of these pythons hazardous and contributing to their limited presence both in the wild and in captivity.