Inc. All rights reserved. Royal pythons' bold coloring provides camouflage in the light and shade of their African habitat of wooded savanna. Camouflage enables the python to lie in wait, undetected by its prey of small mammals or birds. This coloring also helps in avoiding predators.
Burrows are a favorite retreat for incubating eggs or escaping the heat of the day.
Unlike other snakes, pythons take elaborate care of their eggs. A female python will incubate her eggs for 3 months. Royal pythons are listed as threatened. Thousands of pythons are imported every year to the U.S. for the pet trade. Some tribes hunt pythons for food and many are slaughtered illegally for their skins.