Leiopython

Leiopython is a genus of snakes in the family Pythonidae.

Leiopython
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Pythonidae
Subfamily: Pythoninae
Genus: Leiopython
Hubrecht, 1879

Species

The genus Leiopython contains the following species:

Description

Female adults of the northern white-lipped python (Leiopython albertisii) grow to an average of about 213 cm in length (6–7 ft), whereas the southern whitelip python can reach up to 300 cm (9.8 ft) in length. They are patternless, except the northern white-lipped python has some light markings on its postoculars,[1] which are absent in the southern whitelip python.[2]

Behavior

Although mostly terrestrial, these snakes can and are known to occasionally climb.[3] White-lipped pythons are reportedly aggressive, though this is reduced in those born and raised in captivity.[4] These snakes have also been observed to regularly regurgitate fur balls from their prey.[5]


Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Leiopython.

References
  1. Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  2. Schleip, Wulf D (2008). "Revision of the genus Leiopython Hubrecht 1879 (Serpentes: Pythonidae) with the redescription of taxa recently described by Hoser (2000) and the description of new species". Journal of Herpetology. 42 (4): 645–667. doi:10.1670/06-182R5.1. S2CID 84641193.
  3. "Leiopython Albertisii". Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  4. "White Lipped Python". Python Snake Database. Snake Estate. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  5. Schleip, Wulf (June 2009). "Leiopython albertisii (Northern White-Lipped Python). Behavior" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 40 (2): 231. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
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