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RP that pics from a reserve in gauteng as far as I know. Its very unfortunate that it was killed (does not look it but its actually dead in the photos) by the electric fence.

Yes, I remember seeing that sad pic a few years ago. Since then, a beautiful specimen was also done away with on my parents' farm - due to human ignorance

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QUESTION: Is it true that females are generally bulkier than males? Or are they only sexed in the same way as other snakes? (Can't find the info in my snake book, but I'm convinced that I read this somewhere?!?)

Hi all

Please could you confirm that this is indeed an African Rock Python?

Thanks

Just one to add to the same sighting as OWN's, the skin pattern is a bit more prominent.

Python.

Thanks IB

OWN and Siobain

Lee Lewis, im not sure if its always the case but it would make logical sense for females to be bigger as they would gain more of an advantage from it. Males tend to move aound alot more especially during the breeding season. Also the success rate of the clutch of eggs that a brooding mother incubates is dependent on her ability to maintain the temperature between a very narrow range. Larger pythons are able to maintain a much more constant body temperature because they are able to collect more heat when basking because of their larger body size. So females are often very large and bulky. Interestingly the pythons also have been noted to change colour and females who are expecting to brood will usually be very much darker than males and non-brooding females and this also helps them with absorbing heat.

If my eyes are not deceiving me, that python is in a struggle with a crocodile!

Bobbi, the python looks to be already bloted in parts of its body. A python that size could easily weigh up to 55kg so would most likely sink if it were alive. but you never know

Near Olifantscamp, I filmed the African Rock Python. An amazing and beautiful crature.

I agree Nico - certainly a beautiful creature. I haven't seen one in a Sanpark - but we watched one take an impala - It was an incredible experience to see the power and lightening speed of these creatures.

Great footage Nico! Kruger always does it! Keep my heart beating!

nice to see all these muscle's movements

Nico, nice video. Some nice photos here.

RP, that python of yours was on a game farm up in Limpopo somewhere some years back. When they opened it up there was a fully grown impala ewe inside, which is why it couldn't get through beneath the fence.

Silent Valley Game Ranch in the Waterberg. Here's the rest as well.

On our visit at Biyamiti in 2008 the camp manager told us of a python that stays in the hole in the tree to the left of the hide and that they have witnessed it catching a vervet monkey.
While staying at Tamboti I watched a duiker through the binoculars across the dry riverbed and as it was about to step behind a lalapalm a huge python got hold of it.
Saw two places where pythons had recently crossed the S12 gravel road on my way to Girivana. The one was four inches wide and the other one six inches. No close ups yet