Python sebae (Gmelin, 1788)

Lobón-Rovira, Javier, Lobón-Rovira, Baptista, Ninda L, Clark, Tyron, Verburgt, Luke, Jongsma, Gregory Fm, Conradie, Werner, and, Luis Veríssimo, Vaz, Pedro & Pinto, 2025, Filling the gaps: herpetological checklist of Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province (Angola) shed light on one of the most unexplored corners of tropical Central Africa, African Journal of Herpetology 74 (1), pp. 1-59 : 1-59

Python sebae (Gmelin, 1788)

Figure 8X

Material. ANGOLA – Cabinda Province • Fazenda Mandarim ; –5.0401, 12.0508; 14 m a.s.l.; P4.073 (bushmeat); GenBank: PQ456016. • Tando Zinze; –5.306833, 12.498538; 32 m a.s.l.; photographic record (street market) .

Identification. A large rock python (max. SVL = 6.5 m) that can be distinguished from its close relative P. natalensis based on the colour pattern on the side of the head and larger scales on the head (see Chippaux and Jackson 2019). The specimens reported here are genetically identical (<0.5% 16S p -distance) to unpublished material (K. Tolley unpublished data) from northern Angola (e.g., Luquembo and Cuanza River).

Biology and distribution. Widely distributed in West and Central Africa from Senegal eastwards to Tanzania and southwards to Angola ( Chippaux and Jackson 2019). The species is frequently found at night and in a wide variety of habitats. The species is frequently used as bushmeat and sold in street markets across Africa. We recorded several pythons in street markets, mostly in the Littoral Peneplain and drier coastal belt, but also in Mayombe NP.

Figures

Figure 8. Some of the reptile species recorded from from Mayombe National Park and Cabinda Province, Angola. Codes in brackets represent field numbers. A. Kinixys erosa (P2.208) from Inhuca. B. Osteolaemus tetraspis (P2.064) from Vaku, Upper Mayombe. C. Chamaeleo dilepis (EI 817), D. Agama congica and E. Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus from near Nganzi. F. Holaspis guentheri from Vaku, Upper Mayombe. G. H. mabouia (P2.232) from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. G. Hemidactylus pfindaensis (EI 1136) from near Nganzi, and I. H. pfindaensis (P2.234) from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. J. Lygodactylus aff. laterimaculatus (P3.199) from Sanga Wanda, Lower Mayombe. K. Feylinia grandisquamis from near Nganzi. L. Panaspis breviceps (P2.205), from Miconge, Upper Mayombe. M. P. cabindae (EI 1135) from near Nganzi. N. Trachylepis albolabris (P3.130) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe, and O. from near Nganzi. P. T. maculilabris and Q. T. polytropis (P3.218) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe. R. Dipsadoboa weileri (P3.151) from Mbundu, Lower Mayombe S. Grayia ornata (P3.145) from Chimbete, Lower Mayombe. T. Hapsidophrys smaragdinus (P1.144) from Tando Zinze. U. Dendroaspis jamesoni, from near Nganzi. V. Naja melanoleuca killed by farmers at Nganzi. W. Psammophis mossambicus (EI 809) from near Nganzi. X. Python sebae from a street market in Cabinda City. Photographs by PVP (A–B, G, I–J, L, N, Q), JLR (R–S), TC (T–U, X), LV (C–E, V–W), Alex Rebelo (H, K, M), Rogério Ferreira (F, P).