Southern African Python

The Southern African python (Python natalensis), also known as Southern African rock python or Natal rock python, is a large snake species native to Southern Africa. It is one of the largest snakes in the world, with an average length of between 2.8 and 4 meters. This species displays sexual dimorphism, with females generally being larger and heavier than males. The longest recorded female in South Africa measured 4.34 meters (14.2 ft) and weighed 53.4 kg (118 lb), while the largest male was 4.23 meters (13.9 ft) long and weighed 31.1 kg (69 lb). The longest measured Southern African python was 5.8 meters​​​​.

The species was previously considered a subspecies of the African rock python (Python sebae), also known as Central African rock python, but has since been classified as a distinct species. It differs from its northern relative in several ways. The Southern African python has a coloration that is generally drabber, with a narrower dark patch resembling a stripe below the light stripe on its head. The head scales of the Southern African python are also smaller than those of its northern counterpart.

Southern African pythons are versatile in their habitat preferences, thriving in rocky outcrops, moist savanna regions, and lowland forests. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, often found basking in the sun or submerged in water with only their heads sticking out. Their diet is diverse, including animals like hyraxes, cane rats, hares, monkeys, small antelopes, game birds, fishes, monitor lizards, and even crocodiles. Juveniles tend to feed on ground-living birds and rodents. These pythons are ambush predators, using constriction to subdue their prey. They can go for extended periods without food, especially after consuming a large meal.

The Southern African python is predominantly nocturnal but also basks in the sun, particularly after a large meal. It becomes dormant during the dry season and remains active at other times of the year. The python constricts its prey, tightening its coils each time the prey exhales, leading to death primarily by cardiac arrest rather than crushing. Human attacks are rare, and fatalities are virtually unheard of​.

These pythons reach sexual maturity in three to five years, typically when they grow to about two to three meters in length. Mating occurs in early spring, with the female laying 30 to 50 eggs, and in the case of very large females, the number can exceed 100. Nesting sites vary, including disused termite nests, aardvark burrows, and caves. The female python exhibits a high level of maternal care, coiling around the eggs during incubation and even protecting the hatchlings for a period after hatching. Hatchlings are about 45 to 60 cm in length and become independent shortly after birth, although recent research suggests they may stay with the female for several days.

There are no certain numbers on this species, but it is believed to be decreasing overall. It is sensitive to habitat fragmentation and disturbance, but it shows signs of increasing in numbers within restored habitats and protected areas. It is protected throughout Southern Africa. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List, but is listed as vulnerable in South Africa.