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Species

The genus Leiopython contains the following species:

• L. albertisii (W. Peters & Doria, 1878)¹ – D'Albertis' python, northern white-lipped python
• L. fredparkeri Schleip, 2014² – Karimui Basin white-lipped python, southern white-lipped python
• L. biakensis Schleip, 2008³ – Biak white-lipped python

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

Description

Female adults of the northern white-lipped python (L. albertisii) grow to an average of about 213 cm (6–7 ft) in total length (including tail), whereas the southern white-lipped python (L. fredparkeri) can reach up to 300 cm (9.8 ft) in total length. Both species are patternless, except the northern white-lipped python has some light markings on its postoculars,⁴ which are absent in the southern whitelip python.⁵

Behavior

Although mostly terrestrial, snakes of the genus Leiopython can and are known to occasionally climb.⁶ White-lipped pythons are reportedly aggressive, though this is reduced in those born and raised in captivity.⁷ These snakes have also been observed to regularly regurgitate fur balls from their prey.⁸

References

1. Species Leiopython albertisii at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Leiopython&species=albertisii ↩

2. Species Leiopython fredparkeri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Leiopython&species=fredparkeri ↩

3. Tallowin O, O'Shea M, Parker F (2018). "Leiopython biakensis " (2008). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T42494009A42494012.en https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Oliver_J.S._Tallowin ↩

4. Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X. https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/John_M._Mehrtens ↩

5. 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. https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wulf_D._Schleip ↩

6. "Leiopython albertisii. at Cold Blooded Creations". Retrieved 14 December 2016. http://www.coldbloodcreations.com/collection_pages/wlp.html ↩

7. "White Lipped Python". Python Snake Database. Snake Estate. Retrieved 14 December 2016. http://www.snakeestate.com/pythons/white-lipped-python.html ↩

8. Schleip, Wulf (June 2009). "Leiopython albertisii (Northern White-Lipped Python). Behavior" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 40 (2): 231. Retrieved 14 December 2016. http://www.leiopython.de/publications/2009,%20Schleip,%20Leiopython_Behavior.pdf ↩