---
title: "Southern African Python"
description: "Python natalensis — Reptielen. The Southern African rock python (Python natalensis) is a large python species native to Southern Africa inhabiting savanna and woodland."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/nl/animal/southern-african-python
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Southern African Python

> Python natalensis — Reptielen. The Southern African rock python (Python natalensis) is a large python species native to Southern Africa inhabiting savanna and woodland.

- Scientific name: *Python natalensis*
- Category: `reptiles` (Reptielen)
- Habitats: `forest` (Bos), `savanna` (Savanne)
- iNaturalist observations: 1314
- Wikidata: [Q2063213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2063213)
- iNaturalist taxon: [111451](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/111451)

## Names

- en: Southern African Python
- de: Südlicher Felsenpython
- es: Pitón Africana de Roca
- pl: Pyton południowoafrykański

## Countries with the most observations

ZA (773), BW (83), ZW (71), MZ (51), TZ (50), NA (49), ZM (42), MW (36), SZ (31), KE (18), AO (7)

## Summary

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 5 m (16 ft), this is one of the largest snakes in the world.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_African_rock_python

## Photo

![Southern African Python](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/southern-african-python/medium.jpg)

Photo: Marius Burger · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55320438

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/southern-african-python?lang=nl` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).