The Python and its Exotic Leather
The large, beautifully patterned serpents of the rainforests, savannah and bushveld of Africa and Asia are aptly named after the ancient earth dragon of Delphi - Python. One of the main characters of Greek mythology is also portrayed as an aggressive ‘she’ snake, entrusted with guarding the centre of the earth.
Although the mythical creature was slain by Apollo; pythons, in various guises, have endured and are amongst the largest snakes on the planet. There are currently 26 distinctive species of python indigenous to the subtropical areas of the great Asian and African continents.
Python Creation Myth
The python also features prominently in the ancient rituals of Africa’s earliest inhabitants. The San viewed the python as a sacred deity from which all mankind was created.
Recent archaeological diggings in Botswana revealed a huge 6m x 2m ‘python rock’ which had been worked and crafted by man over 70 000 years ago to create a remarkable resemblance of this exquisite snake, with eyes, a mouth and the finely depicted patterns of vivid snake skin!
Python Facts
Some of the largest species of python are the African rock, the reticulated and the Burmese python , a magnificent sub-species of the Indian python. These vast, non-venomous snakes, which are perfectly adapted for their ambush hunting and constrictive killing techniques, have been known to reach between 3.7 m and 6 m in length!
Pythons are excellent swimmers that can lie submerged for up to 30 minutes whilst their prehensile tails aid and abet relatively sound climbing methods. Although they are far swifter on terra firma, pythons do require a permanent water source.
Unlike boas that produce live offspring, pythons lay eggs. The female is entrusted with incubation and actually shivers and agitates her body in an effort to increase the ambient temperature around the eggs by several degrees!
Python Skin is a Tradable Commodity
Their beautifully patterned skins, characterised by blotches of colour which vary from black, chocolate brown to caramel, have long been admired as decorative materials.
Sangomas, the traditional healers of Africa, often display python skin on their walls and use every part of the serpent in the manufacture of ‘muti’ or medicine. Many indigenous folk even believe the skin has magical powers of its own - carry money in a python skin wallet and you’re likely to get a whole lot more in return!
In our contemporary world, Burmese and African rock pythons are commercially reared for their skins, which are humanely harvested and used in the production of purses, belts, python handbags and other fine exotic leather accessories.
Where to Find South African Exotic Leather Products Online
The Safari Club is a convenient online resource which showcases proudly South African exotic skin goods and accessories crafted from conservation approved exotic skins.
Handbags, belts, wallets, purses and luggage as well as elegant interior furnishings made from exotic skins and leathers including Burmese python skin are displayed in photographic form.
Browse the online speciality store today and invest in authentic first grade exotic skin products.
