About Python natalensis Smith, 1840
The Southern African rock python, Python natalensis Smith, 1840, shares a similar color pattern with its close relative the Central African rock python (Python sebae), but the Southern African rock python's coloration is described as drabber. On both species' heads, a light stripe runs across the head; below this stripe, the Southern African rock python has a narrower dark marking that looks like a stripe, rather than the broader patch found on the Central African rock python. The Central African rock python has two distinct light lines that run from the nose, over the eyes, and to the back of the head; these same lines are much duller on the Southern African rock python. The Central African rock python also has considerably larger head scales than the Southern African rock python, and the Southern African rock python is noticeably smaller than the Central African rock python.
