Leiopython
{{Short description|Genus of snakes}}
{{automatic Taxobox
| image = Leiopython albertisii.jpg
| image_caption =
| taxon = Leiopython
| authority = Hubrecht, 1879
}}
Leiopython is a genus of snakes in the family Pythonidae.
Species
The genus Leiopython contains the following species:
- L. albertisii {{small|(W. Peters & Doria, 1878)}}{{EMBL species|genus=Leiopython|species=albertisii}} www.reptile-database.org. – D'Albertis' python, northern white-lipped python
- L. fredparkeri {{small|Schleip, 2014}}{{EMBL species|genus=Leiopython|species=fredparkeri}} www.reptile-database.org. – Karimui Basin white-lipped python, southern white-lipped python
- L. biakensis {{small|Schleip, 2008}}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 – 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 {{convert|300|cm|ft|abbr=on}} in total length. Both species are patternless, except the northern white-lipped python has some light markings on its postoculars,Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. {{ISBN|0-8069-6460-X}}. which are absent in the southern whitelip python.{{cite journal|last1=Schleip|first1=Wulf D.|author-link=species:Wulf D. Schleip |title=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=Journal of Herpetology |date=2008 |volume=42 |issue=4 |pages=645–667 |doi=10.1670/06-182R5.1|s2cid=84641193}}
Behavior
Although mostly terrestrial, snakes of the genus Leiopython can and are known to occasionally climb.{{cite web|title=Leiopython albertisii. at Cold Blooded Creations |url=http://www.coldbloodcreations.com/collection_pages/wlp.html|accessdate=14 December 2016}} White-lipped pythons are reportedly aggressive, though this is reduced in those born and raised in captivity.{{cite web|title=White Lipped Python|url=http://www.snakeestate.com/pythons/white-lipped-python.html|website=Python Snake Database|publisher=Snake Estate|accessdate=14 December 2016}} These snakes have also been observed to regularly regurgitate fur balls from their prey.{{cite journal|last1=Schleip|first1=Wulf|title=Leiopython albertisii (Northern White-Lipped Python). Behavior |journal=Herpetological Review |date=June 2009 |volume=40 |issue=2 |page=231 |accessdate=14 December 2016 |url=http://www.leiopython.de/publications/2009,%20Schleip,%20Leiopython_Behavior.pdf}}