Pythons are large, carnivorous snakes that live primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, known for their constriction method of hunting prey such as monkeys and birds. They can live up to 30 years, with some species growing to about 30 feet in length, and they have various predators, including crocodiles and birds of prey. Human activities pose the greatest threat to pythons, as they are often hunted for their skin.