58 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



another species known as the West African Python [Python regius) > 

 and in South West Africa by Anchieta's Python {Python anchietce). 

 The Rock Snake or Python is fairiy 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 {Python sebce). 



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^. The South African Python, also known as the Natal 

 Rock Snake. 



Synonyms — Coluber sebcs ; Hortiilia natalensis. 



Colour — Pale brown above, wdth 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 betw^een 

 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. 



