The royal python (Python regius) is the smallest python species found in Africa, with adults reaching 3 to 5 feet; females are slightly bigger than males. They are black to dark brown with light brown patterns, but the underside is white or cream. The species is also called the ball python because of its habit of curling into a ball when feeling threatened.
The African rock python (Python sebae) is one of the largest African species; adults can reach up to 20 feet in length. The skin color is brown, with irregular dark green-and-tan patterns, but the underside is often white. The African rock python is found in the rain forest, typically close to rivers, but also in grassland and savanna habitats.
Anchieta's python (Python anchietae) is a rare species that prefers to live in grasslands and brushy plains but is also found in rain forests. Like the royal python, this species also coils when frightened. The skin color is reddish-brown to dark brown with irregular white patterns, often in the shape of spots and bands.
The large southern African python (Python natalensis) was once considered a subspecies of the African rock python, because of their similar appearance. Females can lay up to 100 eggs, but the average number is 40. Unlike other snakes, southern African python females protect their young, for two weeks, after the eggs have hatched. Like most python species, the southern African eats anything from small rodents to much larger prey, such as small crocodiles and warthogs.