58 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



another species known as the West African Python {Python regiiis) , 

 and in South \\'est Africa by Anchieta's Python [Python anchieta). 

 The Rock Snake or Python is fairly common in Rhodesia, Natal, 

 Zululand and Eastern Transvaal. I have also obtained specimens 

 from Bechuanaland. 



The statements in regard to the length attained by these 



Fig. 27. — Head and neck of a South African Python (Fylhon seba). 



Pythons is very conflicting. Sir Andrew Smith, in his " Zoology 

 of South Africa," mentions one twenty- five feet long, which he 

 personally examined and measured. I have examined a consider- 

 able number, and the longest was twenty feet. The average length 

 seems to be about sixteen feet, the circumference at the thickest 

 part being about eighteen inches. 



I. Python .sEB.ii. The South African Python, also known as the Natal 

 Rock Snake. 



Synonyms — Coluber seba: ; Hortidia nataleusis. 



Colour^Palc brown above, with dark brown, black-edged, more or less 

 sinuous cross bars which are usually connected by a continuous, 

 or interrupted dark stripe running along each side of the back ; 

 sides with large spots, and finely dotted with black ; a large tri- 

 angular dark brown blotch occupying the top of the head, 

 bordered on each side by a light stripe, beginning at the end of 

 the snout above the nostril, and passing above the eye. A dark 

 stripe on each side of the head, and a dark sub-triangular blotch 

 below the eye ; upper surface of tail with a light stripe between 

 two black ones. Belly spotted and dotted with dark brown. 



Average length — 16 feet. Said to attain a length of 25 feet. 



Distribution — Natal ; Zululand ; Eastern Transvaal ; Eastern portion 

 of Bechuanaland ; Southern Rhodesia ; Portuguese East Africa ; 

 Tropical Africa. 



