Reptile Atlas of Southern Africa

[ Record 1 of 7 ]

ReptileMAP:		7347
Province:		Limpopo
Country:		South Africa
Locus:		2231AD
Observer:		Kennedy David
Date of record:		2012-01-04
Number of photos:		2
Notes:		We came upon this scene around 18:15 in the evening. The python had captured and killed a fairly well grown impala female. We watched for 30 to 40 minutes to see whether the snake would commence feeding, but it remained relatively immobile beyond small movements of the head and neck. Later that evening the snake had not yet commenced feeding. The following morning, the snake had gone, and the impala lay undisturbed in the grass. This suggests that the snake abandoned its kill, most probably because it was too big to swallow. If the snake had been driven off by another predator such as a lion or hyena the impala would undoubtedly been disturbed.
Last updated:		2023-09-27 17:37:27
Sp. code:		4070
Species name:		Python natalensis
Common name:		Southern African Python
Family:		Pythonidae
Record status:		ACCEPTED
Collector's species id:		African Rock Python Python natalensis
Institution:		ADU-UCT
Record URL:		https://vmus.adu.org.za/?vm=ReptileMAP-7347
Links:		• Locus: Summary \| Records • Species: Records \| Distribution map

Comment number:		1
By:		Megan Loftie-Eaton
Comment:
Date:		2012-01-17 07:20:54
Species name:		Python natalensis -- Southern African Python
Species code:		4070

Comment number:		2
By:		Andre Coetzer
Comment:		Interesting sighting and notes!
Date:		2012-01-17 07:57:46
Species name:		Python natalensis -- Southern African Python
Species code:		4070