Python sebae
Silhouette: DS Biswas · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~40% in a week ~60%
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 ten living species in the genus Python. It is 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 m (20 ft). The Southern African rock python is generally smaller than its northern relative and in general, the Central African rock python is regarded as one of the longest species of snake in the world. The snake is found in a variety of habitats, from forests to near deserts, although usually near sources of water. The snake becomes dormant during the dry season. The Central African rock python kills its prey by constriction and often eats animals up to the size of antelope, occasionally even crocodiles. The snake reproduces by egg-laying. Unlike most snakes, the female protects her nest and sometimes even her hatchlings.
The snake is widely feared, though it is nonvenomous and very rarely kills humans. Although the snake is not endangered, it does face threats from habitat reduction and hunting. Some cultures in sub-Saharan Africa consider it a delicacy, which may pose a threat to its population. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Ostrava Zoo | 🇨🇿 Czechia | |
| 3 | Dvůr Králové Zoo | 🇨🇿 Czechia | |
| 4 | Réserve africaine de Sigean | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 5 | Haller Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 6 | Bronx Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Selwo Aventura | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 9 | Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 10 | Colchester Zoo | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 11 | Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 12 | Abidjan zoo | 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | |
| 13 | Lincoln Park Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 14 | Giraffe Centre | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 15 | Valencia Bioparc | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 16 | Alligator Adventure | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 17 | Belgrade Zoo | 🇷🇸 Serbia | |
| 18 | Gambia Reptile Farm | 🇬🇲 Gambia | |
| 19 | Mvog-Betsi Zoo | 🇨🇲 Cameroon | |
| 20 | Aquarium Barcelona | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 21 | Falconry of Kenya | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 22 | Flauschfarm - Alpakawanderungen | 🇩🇪 Germany | |
| 23 | Greater Cleveland Aquarium | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an African Rock Python sighting in Tarangire National Park on a given day, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 7th most-seen of the 9 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
September
In that month about 40% of wildlife watchers report an African Rock Python in Tarangire National Park on a given day, against under 5% in May, July and October–March, the lowest months. That is one of Tarangire National Park's driest months, with almost no rain against 170 mm in April.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most African Rock Python sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 2 parks where we can rate African Rock Python sightings, Tarangire National Park ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the African Rock Python is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Tarangire National Park (7 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
