Reproduction
Reproduction occurs in the spring. African rock pythons are oviparious, laying between 20 and 100 hard-shelled, elongated eggs in an old animal burrow, termite mound or cave. The female shows a surprising level of maternal care, coiling around the eggs, protecting them from predators and possibly helping to incubate them, until they hatch around 90 days later. It was recently discovered in a manner unusual for snakes in general and pythons in particular that the female guards the hatchlings for up to two weeks after they hatch from their eggs in order to protect them from predators.
Hatchlings are between 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) in length and appear virtually identical to adults, except with more contrasting colors. Individuals may live for over 12 years in captivity.
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Read more about this topic: Python Sebae
Famous quotes containing the word reproduction:
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—Lewis Mumford (1895–1990)
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—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)