The Southern African rock python (''Python natalensis'') is a large python species native to Southern Africa inhabiting savanna and woodland. It was first described by Andrew Smith in 1833. Growing a length of more than , this is one of the largest snakes in the world.

Description

The Southern African rock python has a colouration that is similar to its northern relative, however it is described as being "drabber". Below the light stripe on both snakes' head, the southern species has a narrower dark patch that resembles a stripe instead of a patch. The

Central African rock python The Central African rock python (''Python sebae'') is a species of large constrictor snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of 11 living species in the genus ''Python''. Africa's largest snake and ...

(''Python sebae'') has two prominent light lines from the nose, over the eye to the back of the head, which are much duller in the Southern African rock python. The northern species has considerably larger head scales. It is also noticeably inferior in size to size the Central African rock python.

Size

The Southern African rock pythons reach an average length of between . Individuals longer than are rare. Regarding body length and mass, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism, as females are significantly larger and heavier than males. Of 75 individuals measured in South Africa the longest female was long and weighed . The largest male was long and weighed . There is one reliable record of a living specimen reaching . The longest South African python measured , recorded in the former

Transvaal Transvaal is a historical geographic term associated with land north of (''i.e.'', beyond) the Vaal River in South Africa. A number of states and administrative divisions have carried the name Transvaal. * South African Republic (1856–1902; af, ...

References

{{taxonbar, from1=Q21401262, from2=Q2063213 Python (genus) Reptiles described in 1833 Snakes of Africa