Python

Presentation

The Python designates a group of non-venomous snakes belonging to the family Pythonidae, bringing together several dozen species distributed in Africa, Asia and Oceania. These reptiles are notable for their large size, with some species being among the longest snakes in the world. They kill their prey by constriction rather than venom, gradually suffocating them. The Python is oviparous, a rare characteristic among large snakes, with the female actively incubating her eggs. Some species, such as the royal Python, are commonly bred in captivity as exotic pets. Others, like the reticulated Python, are noted for their exceptional size.

The body is elongated, muscular and covered with smooth scales, often with complex patterns used for camouflage. Unlike vipers, Python still has vestiges of hind limbs visible in the form of dewclaws near the cloaca. Its very mobile jaw allows it to swallow prey much larger than its head. Large species can exceed several meters in length.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

Depending on the species, the Python frequents tropical rainforests, wooded savannahs and areas close to water points. Some species also adapt to rocky or semi-arid environments. Many are good swimmers and readily frequent rivers and wetlands. Others, more arboreal, spend part of their time in trees in dense forests.

Behaviour

The Python is a mainly solitary and nocturnal or crepuscular snake depending on the species. It hunts from a stalk, motionless for long periods, before catching its prey by surprise. It is a non-venomous animal that kills by constriction, wrapping its muscular rings around its victim until asphyxiation. Apart from reproduction, individuals lead a generally isolated life.

Reproduction

The Python is oviparous: the female lays between a few eggs and around fifty depending on the species and its size. It wraps itself around the clutch to protect it and, in certain species, generates heat through slight muscular contractions to promote incubation. Incubation generally lasts two to three months before the young hatch, completely autonomous from birth. Sexual maturity is reached between two and five years depending on the species.

Peculiarities

The Python is oviparous and the female incubates her eggs by coiling around them, even producing slight heat through muscular contractions in some species. It has heat-sensitive dimples on its lips that allow it to detect the body heat of its prey in the dark. Its disarticulated lower jaw allows it to swallow large prey in one go.

Threats and conservation

Pythons are threatened by the destruction of their natural habitat, including deforestation in Southeast Asia. They are also captured for the skin trade, meat trade and for the pet market. Certain species are protected by the CITES convention which governs their international trade. Negative public perception of snakes also leads to direct destruction by humans.

References

Profile updated 17 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.