Southern African Python

Discussions and information on all Southern African Reptiles

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nan
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by nan »

Lisbeth wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 11:36 am The above is about Pythons not about snake specialists.
Yes, that I understand that is not about specialists but I can't understand a so long article about snakes)… if you (no you, I think of Klipspringer) use "normal" words and small phrases is almost ok for me

I just say Johan Marais, THE specialist said there is no Rock Python in SA…

In all cases I'm always wrong in all my interventions… I don't know why :no:
the black small duck =O:
thank you


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Klipspringer
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Klipspringer »

0/* nan

this is about the correct name of the pythons in Southern Africa, and all I can tell you is that there is no such a thing as a correct name, because the naming depends on your (or scientist's) opinion about a python in Southern Africa.
Most (as your "specialist") think, the pythons in Southern Africa are different to pythons in central and west Africa and say they are two species: Python sebae (some call it Northern or Central African Python, others call it African Rock Python) in central and west Africa and Python natalensis (Southern African Python) in the South and East.
Other specialists think, they are all one species Python sebae and call them African Rock Python. This "African Rock Python" is divided into two subspecies, P. s. sebae (the nominate subspecies) and P. s. natalensis (the Southern African rock python).

If somebody says there is no African Rock Python in South Africa or Namibia, he should explain why.
If you support the older taxonomic idea, there is a "African Rock Python" in South Africa or Namibia.

So how do we decide if the southern pythons are a separate species or only a subspecies? That depends on your understanding of a "species" and there are many different opinions.
Most species concepts say a species is different from another when they do not (or can not) succesfully interbreed.
For the pythons in Africa:
The existence of sympatric populations of the two taxa Python sebae and P. natalensis in northeastern Tanzania provides evidence for the validity of P. natalensis (Broadley 1999), however possible hybrids with intermediate characters are known from this region
Sympatric populations means boths pythons occur in the same area in Tanzania and you can still distinguish them. But they can interbreed and there are a few hybrids. This is why experts do not agree.

And the English (or any) common names (often there is more than one or the same name is applied to different species) are usually more confusing than the scientific Latin names, as you can see here.


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nan
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by nan »

:ty: Klippspringer, much better like that, 0/0

I don't not need agressive reply :-(


I follow Johan Marais for a long time…. and I will continue, a very interesting site where we can learn a lot


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Richprins
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Richprins »

Image

Kruger Sightings
@LatestKruger
Update
Photo of the Python
H4-1, 4.3km west of Lower Sabie by hole
Tinged by Kerry - Kruger Pride Safaris
2:06 PM · Sep 5, 2020


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Alf
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Alf »

Lucky sighting


Next trip to the bush??

Let me think......................
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Richprins
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Richprins »

A hare kill on the S79, taken by Lizette Kruger of Rustenburg



Image


Image


Image


Image

https://lowvelder.co.za/708623/in-fotos ... langgreep/


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Lisbeth
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Lisbeth »

It's surprising every time :shock: :shock:


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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Richprins »

Image

Kruger Sightings
@LatestKruger
1:50 pm
An African Rock Python
H4-1, 4km east of Nkuhlu towards Lower Sabie
Tinged by Gerrie - Kruger Gateway Safaris
4:39 PM · Nov 7, 2020


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Lisbeth
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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Lisbeth »

It looks enormous :shock:


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Re: Southern African Python

Post by Richprins »

Image

Kruger Sightings
@LatestKruger
6:00 am
1 African Rock Python in a tree
'5m from the road in the top of a tree on the east side of the road opposite the river'
H4-2, 1km N of S28, S entrance
Near Crocodile Bridge
4/5
Tinged by Don - Love God's Creation
6:35 AM · Nov 24, 2020


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