Angolan python (Python anchietae)

Short answers

Angolan python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m).

Angolan python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Angolan python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Angolan python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Angolan python: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with rock structures, rock crevices as hides

Feeding

Food

Frozen-thawed mice and rats

Feeding interval

adults every 14–21 days

Key facts

Adult size

120–180 cm

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Angola, Namibia – rock and dry savannah

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks is possible

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A dryness-loving rock python, to be kept markedly warmer and drier than the ball python. Rare and expensive; almost exclusively captive-bred animals in the trade.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Red blood python (Python brongersmai) – Intermediate
• Sumatran short-tailed python (Python curtus) – Intermediate
• Borneo short-tailed python (Python breitensteini) – Intermediate
• Burmese python (Python bivittatus) – Expert
• Indian python (Python molurus) – Expert
• Ball python (Python regius) – Beginner to intermediate
• African rock python (Python sebae) – Expert
• Southern African rock python (Python natalensis) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Angolan python (Python anchietae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 180×90×135 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, up to 2.5 m)), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures, rock crevices as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.