CreatureData

Burmese python vs Central African rock python

The central African rock python is heavier: 73 kg against 17.1 kg for the burmese python, about 4.3 times the weight.

Burmese python (Python bivittatus)
Burmese python VUVulnerable
Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Central African rock python (Python sebae)
Central African rock python NTNear Threatened
Photo: Adult_Female_Python_sebae.jpg : Tigerpython derivative work:… · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is the difference between a burmese python and a central African rock python?

Each point below is worked out from a pair of recorded values.

  • The central African rock python is heavier: 73 kg against 17.1 kg for the burmese python, about 4.3 times the weight.
  • The burmese python is longer-lived: 34.2 years against 30 years for the central African rock python, about 14% longer.
  • Both belong to the genus Python, so they are close relatives.
  • The burmese python is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; the central African rock python is Near Threatened.

Side by side

Burmese pythonCentral African rock python
Scientific namePython bivittatusPython sebae
FamilyPythonidaePythonidae
OrderSquamataSquamata
Weight17.1 kg73 kg
LengthNot recordedNot recorded
Lifespan34.2 years – 34.2 years27.3 years – 30 years
Main foodNot recordedimpala
HabitatNot recordedforest
Conservation statusVulnerableNear Threatened
Countries recordedNot recordedNot recorded

A scale drawing needs a recorded length for both animals; only weights are on record for this pair.

Full record: Burmese pythonFull record: Central African rock pythonCompare other animals