SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) CROWNS AFRICA'S LARGEST SNAKE AS "QUEEN OF THE PYTHONS"

NEW DOCUMENTARY FOLLOWING THE ENORMOUS FEMALE ROCK PYTHON PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

NEW YORK - July 8, 2019 - Smithsonian Channel follows the notorious and deadly African rock python in QUEEN OF THE PYTHONS. The one-hour special examines the 13-foot female snake's daily life in a sub-tropical valley in South Africa. A hunter of a wide variety of prey, from tiny birds to full-sized deer, the constrictor is a killer of immense size and strength with a strike faster than the blink of an eye. However, despite her dominating size, life isn't always easy for the female rock python as she faces constant threats from her human neighbors and the ever-impending loss of her habitat. QUEEN OF THE PYTHONS premieres Wednesday, August 7 at 8 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

The female African rock python is one of the largest snake species in the world. Her unique speed, aggression and finely tuned senses allow her to hunt day or night, making her a source of nightmares. She has the shocking ability to kill her prey in only minutes, and contrary to common belief, the female rock python does not crush her prey to death. Instead, she triggers cardiac arrest in her helpless victims before swallowing them whole.

QUEEN OF THE PYTHONS follows this enigmatic snake during both her most lethal encounters and her most vulnerable moments - especially as she guards her 35 eggs from nearby predators and waits for them to hatch. At this sensitive time, her only goal is the eggs' survival - she stops eating altogether and only leaves her nest to drink or bask in the sun. With the Queen in their corner, the rock python's young have a great chance of survival and might just be able to stay off their predator's menu.

QUEEN OF THE PYTHONS is produced by Earth Touch and Smithsonian Networks in association with National Geographic Channels. Graeme Duane and Jess Reiss are producers for Earth Touch. Tim Evans and David Royle serve as executive producers for Smithsonian Channel.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), offered by Smithsonian Networks(TM) which is owned and operated by Showtime Networks Inc., is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing factual entertainment, available in HD and 4K Ultra HD across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel, winner of Emmy(R) and Peabody awards for its programming, combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian Institution, to create programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, travel, history, science, nature and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, America in Color, America's Hidden Stories, Apollo's Moon Shot, The Pacific War in Color and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include The Coronation, The Green Book: Guide to Freedom and Black Hole Hunters. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Channel Plus(TM), a subscription video streaming service delivering over a thousand hours of the Channel's stunning and diverse library of documentaries and series in HD and 4K Ultra HD. Smithsonian Channel is also available internationally in Canada, Singapore, Latin America and the UK. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.