Protected Python Suffers

This poor Southern African Python (Python natalensis), more commonly known as a Rock Python, was caught and kept by a man in a rural community.

The man had been keeping it in a small cage made with chicken mesh. It was underweight, dehydrated, weak and covered in ticks. Its skin had also been ripped open in a few places, which had caused wounds that became infected, possibly due to the mesh. The man was trying to sell it, but it was confiscated by the relevant authorities.

However, it unfortunately died soon after being confiscated despite medical attention.

The Southern African Python is listed as Least Concern and are a protected species, meaning that they are not allowed to be caught and kept, or killed.

Many of these snakes, despite being protected, are regularly killed. Often they are killed for the muthi trade, for their skins and fat. Many skins can be seen in the muthi market in Warwick Triangle in Durban. They are also frequently killed by cars while attempting to cross roads.

They are fairly common throughout the Greater Zululand area. They are often found in and around bodies of water. They are also sometimes found around farms, eating livestock such as chickens! They are non-venomous, but can be aggressive if provoked and they can give a painful bite.

They are very important animals in the ecosystem and play a big part in keeping down rodent populations, as well as other small mammals and ground-dwelling birds. They have also been observed taking down monitor lizards, crocodiles and even antelope such as Impalas!

It is an iconic species, as it is the largest snake species in Southern Africa! A magnificent animal which we should appreciate seeing in the wild, and try to conserve it!