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Python natalensis SMITH, 1840

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Higher TaxaPythonidae, Henophidia, Pythonoidea, Serpentes (snakes) 
Subspecies 
Common NamesSouthern African Python 
SynonymPython sebae natalensis SMITH 1840
Python natalensis — DUMÉRIL & BIBRON 1844: 409
Heleionomus variegatus GRAY 1842: 43 (fide SCHLEIP & O’SHEA 2010)
Python Sebae var. natalensis — JAN 1864
Python saxuloides MILLER & SMITH 1979 (fide BROADLEY 1984)
Python sebae natalensis — BROADLEY 1984
Python sebae natalensis — AUERBACH 1987: 152
Python sebae natalensis — BAUER et al. 1993
Python sebae — MCDIARMID, CAMPBELL & TOURÉ 1999: 180
Python natalensis — BROADLEY 1999
Python sebae natalensis — BROADLEY & HOWELL 1991: 22
Helionomus natalensis [sic] — HOSER 2004
Python natalensis — BARONE 2005
Python natalensis — SCHLEIP & O’SHEA 2010 
DistributionBotswana, S Angola, SE/E Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Zambia, Burundi, Tanzania, C Kenya, south to N Namibia and Republic of South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

Type locality: Port Natal = Durban, Natal. Map legend:
TDWG region - Region according to the TDWG standard, not a precise distribution map.

NOTE: TDWG regions are generated automatically from the text in the distribution field and this does not always work properly. We are working on it.
 
TypesSyntypes: BMNH 1946.1.8.3 and 1946.3.27.2 
CommentSmith (1840) refers to a preliminary description in the South African Quarterly Journal from 1833 [(2) 1 (3): 80]. However, the page cited mentions P. natalensis without any further description. It is thus a nomen nudum. 
References
  • ALEXANDER, G. J. 2012. Python natalensis Smith, 1840 PredationDiet African Herp News (56): 25
  • Auerbach,R.D. 1987. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Botswana. Mokwepa Consultants, Botswana, 295 pp.
  • Barone, S. 2005. Python natalensis - The Natal Python, an underappreciated giant. Reptilia (GB) (40): 57-63 - get paper here
  • Bauer, Aaron M.; Branch, William R. & Haacke, Wulf D. 1993. The herpetofauna of the Kamanjab area and adjacent Damaraland, Namibia. Madoqua (Windhoek), 18 (2): 117-145.
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1887. Synopsis of the snakes of South Africa. The Zoologist, London, (3) 11: 171-182
  • Branch, William R. 1993. A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 144 S.
  • Broadley, D. G. & HOWELL, K. M. 1991. A check list of the reptiles of Tanzania, with synoptic keys. Syntarsus 1: 1—70
  • Broadley, D.G.; Doria, C.T. & Wigge, J. 2003. Snakes of Zambia. An Atlas and Field Guide. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt, 280 pp. [review in Sauria 26 (3): 21]
  • Broadley, Donald G. 1999. The southern African python, Python natalensis A. Smith 1840, is a valid species. African Herp News (29): 31-32
  • Broadley, Donald G. and F. P. D. Cotterill. 2004. The reptiles of southeast Katanga, an overlooked 'hot spot'. [Congo] African Journal of Herpetology 53 (1): 35-61. - get paper here
  • Broadley,D.G. 1984. A review of geographical variation in the African python, Python sebae (Gmelin). British Journal of Herpetology 6 (10): 359-367
  • Duméril, A. M. C. and G. Bibron. 1844. Erpetologie Générale ou Histoire Naturelle Complete des Reptiles. Vol.6. Libr. Encyclopédique Roret, Paris, 609 pp. - get paper here
  • Hoser, R. 2004. A reclassification of the pythoninae including the descriptions of two new genera, two new species and nine new subspecies. Part II. Crocodilian 4 (4) (June 2004): 21-40 - get paper here
  • Jacobsen, Niels H.G.; Errol W. Pietersen & Darren W. Pietersen 2010. A preliminary herpetological survey of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary on the San Sebastian Peninsula, Vilankulo, Mozambique. Herpetology Notes 3: 181-193
  • Jan, G. 1864. Iconographie générale des ophidiens. 8. Livraison. J.B. Bailière et Fils, Paris - get paper here
  • JANSEN, J. & CUNNINGHAM, P. 2004. Python natalensis SMITH, 1833 preys on South African Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis [Short Note] Herpetozoa 17: - get paper here
  • Kirchhof, S., M. Krämer, J. Linden & K. Richter 2010. The reptile species assemblage of the Soutpansberg (Limpopo Province, South Africa) and its characteristics. Salamandra 46 (3): 147-166 - get paper here
  • Marais, J. 2004. A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, 2nd ed. Struik Publishers, 312 pp.
  • MASTERSON, G. P. R., LEPHUTING, J., MATHEBULA, J. & SHIRINDA, E. 2012. Python natalensis Smith, 1840 Reproduction. African Herp News (56): 26-28
  • McDiarmid,R.W.; Campbell,J.A. & Touré,T.A. 1999. Snake species of the world. Vol. 1. Herpetologists’ League, 511 pp.
  • Miller T J; Smith H M 1979. The lesser African rock python. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 15 (3): 70-84
  • Razzetti, E. & Msuya, C.A. 2002. Field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Arusha National Park (Tanzania). Publ. Ed. Negri Istituto, Oikos, Varese, 84 pp.
  • Reed, R.N. and G.H. Rodda 2009. Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor. U.S. Geological Survey, xviii + 323 pp. - get paper here
  • Smith,A. 1840. Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa, Reptilia. Smith, Elder, and Co., London - get paper here
  • Spawls, S.; Howell, K.; Drewes, R.C. & Ashe, J. 2001. A field guide to the reptiles of East Africa. Academic Press, 543 pp. [reviews in HR 34: 396 and Afr. J. Herp. 51; 147]
 
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