# D'Albertis python

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Species of snake

D'Albertis python Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Pythonidae Genus: Leiopython Species: L. albertisii Binomial name Leiopython albertisii (W. Peters & Doria, 1878) Synonyms Liasis Albertisii W. Peters & Doria, 1878 Leiopython gracilis Hubrecht, 1879 Liasis albertisii — Boulenger, 1893 Liasis fuscus albertisii — Stull, 1935 Liasis fuscus albertisi — Capocaccia, 1961 Liasis fuscus albertisii — Stimson, 1969 Liasis albertisi — Switak, 1973 Liasis albertisii — McDowell, 1975 Bothrochilus albertisii — H.G. Cogger, Cameron & H.M. Cogger, 1983 Lisalia albertisi — Wells & Wellington, 1984 Morelia albertisii — Underwood & Stimson, 1990 L[eiopython]. albertisii — Kluge, 1993 Leiopython albertisi — O'Shea, 1996 Leiopython albertisii — O'Shea, 1996[2] Bothrochilus albertisii — Reynolds et al., 2014[3]

**D'Albertis' python** (***Leiopython albertisii**)*, also known [commonly](/source/Common_name) as **D'Albert's water python** or the **northern white-lipped python**, is a [species](/source/Species) of [python](/source/Python_(genus)), a non-[venomous snake](/source/Venomous_snake) in the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Pythonidae](/source/Pythonidae). The species is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to [New Guinea](/source/New_Guinea). There are no [subspecies](/source/Subspecies) that are recognized as being valid.[4]

## Geographic range and habitat

*L. albertisii* is found in most of New Guinea below 1,200 m (3,900 ft), including the islands of [Salawati](/source/Salawati) and [Biak](/source/Biak), [Normanby](/source/Normanby_Island%2C_Papua_New_Guinea), [Mussau](/source/Mussau_Island) and [Emirau](/source/Emirau_Island),[5] as well as a few islands in the [Torres Strait](/source/Torres_Strait).

The [type locality](/source/Type_locality_(biology)) given is "*Kapaor in Nova Guinea boreali occidentali ... et prope Andai* ". The authors also stated localities for two additional specimens: "*... un esemplare a Kapaor fra i Papua Onin...*" and "*... un secondo esemplare ad Andai presso Dorei...*" (= Kapoar, Onin Peninsula and Andai, near Dorei, Irian Jaya, Indonesia).[2]

Some doubt can be cast on its occurrence on Normanby, as McDowell (1975)[6] had erroneously assigned Bara Bara to this island, rather than to the mainland of [Papua New Guinea](/source/Papua_New_Guinea)[5] in [Milne Bay Province](/source/Milne_Bay_Province) as stated by Boulenger (1898)[7] and Koopman (1982).[8]

## Etymology

The [specific name](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)), *albertisii*, is in honor of Italian explorer [Luigi D'Albertis](/source/Luigi_D'Albertis).[9][10]

## Description

Female adults of *L. albertisii* grow to an average of about 213 cm (6–7 ft) in total length (including tail). Both sexes are patternless, except for some light markings on the [postoculars](/source/Postoculars). The [dorsum](/source/Dorsum_(anatomy)) of the head is shiny black, and the upper and lower [labial scales](/source/Labial_scales) are white with black markings on the anterior edge of the scales. Body color is either brownish-violet fading to yellowish ventrally or blackish-blue fading to gray.

## Behavior

Although mostly terrestrial, *L. albertisii* can and is known to occasionally climb.[11] White-lipped pythons are reportedly aggressive, though this is reduced in those born and raised in captivity.[12] *L. albertisii* also has been observed to regularly regurgitate fur balls from its prey.[13]

## Diet

The diet of *L. albertisii* includes a range of small-sized to medium-sized birds and mammals.[14] Neonates and juveniles often feed on lizards. Heat sensitive pits in the upper and lower jaws are used to help locate prey during nocturnal hunting.[11]

## Reproduction

*L. albertisii* is [oviparous](/source/Oviparity). A sexually mature female may lay a [clutch](/source/Clutch_(eggs)) of about a dozen eggs. The eggs stick together in a compact pile, and the female coils around them. The hatchlings emerge after about two months of incubation and are about 38 cm (15 in) in length.[14]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_1-0)** [Tallowin, O.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Oliver_J.S._Tallowin); [Allison, A.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Allen_Allison); [O'Shea, M.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mark_O%27Shea); [Parker, F.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fred_Parker) (2018). ["*Leiopython albertisii*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/199628/2607789). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2018** e.T199628A2607789. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T199628A2607789.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T199628A2607789.en). Retrieved 18 November 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-McD99_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-McD99_2-1) [McDiarmid RW](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Wallace_McDiarmid), [Campbell JA](/source/Jonathan_A._Campbell), [Touré TA](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/T%27Shaka_A._Tour%C3%A9) (1999). *Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1*. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-893777-00-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-893777-00-6) (series). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-893777-01-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-893777-01-4) (volume).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Species *[Bothrochilus albertisii](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Bothrochilus&species=albertisii)* at [The Reptile Database](http://www.reptile-database.org/) . www.reptile-database.org.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ITIS_4-0)** ["*Leiopython*"](https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634409). [Integrated Taxonomic Information System](/source/Integrated_Taxonomic_Information_System). Retrieved 9 September 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Schleip2008_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Schleip2008_5-1) [Schleip, Wulf D.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wulf_D._Schleip) (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](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1670/06-182R5.1](https://doi.org/10.1670%2F06-182R5.1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-McDow1975_6-0)** [McDowell SB](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Booker_McDowell,_Jr.) (1975). "A catalogue of the snakes of New Guinea and the Solomon's, with special Reference to Those in the Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Part II". (24.02.1975). *Journal of Herpetology* **9** (1): 1-79.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Boul1898_7-0)** [Boulenger GA](/source/George_Albert_Boulenger) (1898). ["An account of the reptiles and batrachians collected by Dr. L. Loria in British New Guinea"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/7785916#704). *Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova*, Series 2, **18**: 694-710.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Koopm1982_8-0)** [Koopman KF](/source/Karl_Koopman) (1982). "Results of the Archbold Expedition No. 109. Bats from Eastern Papua and the East Papua Islands". *American Museum Novitates* (2747): 1-34.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PetDor1878_9-0)** [Peters W](/source/Wilhelm_Peters), [Doria G](/source/Giacomo_Doria) (1878). "*Catalogo dei rettili e dei batraci raccolti da [O. Beccari](/source/Odoardo_Beccari), L. M. D'Albertis e A. A. Bruijn nella sotto-regione austro-malese* ". *Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova*, Series 1, **13**: 323-450. ("*Liasis Albertisii* ", new species, pp. 401-403 + Plate III, Figure 2). (in Italian and Latin).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Blns2011_10-0)** [Beolens, Bo](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bo_Beolens); [Watkins, Michael](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Michael_Watkins); Grayson, Michael (2011). *The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles*. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4214-0135-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4214-0135-5). (*Leiopython albertisii*, p. 64; *L. bennettorum*, p. 22).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Leiopython_Albertisii_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Leiopython_Albertisii_11-1) ["*Bothrochilus albertisii*"](http://www.coldbloodcreations.com/collection_pages/wlp.html). Retrieved 14 December 2016. Cold Blood Creations.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["White Lipped Python"](http://www.snakeestate.com/pythons/white-lipped-python.html). *Python Snake Database*. Snake Estate. Retrieved 14 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Schleip, Wulf (June 2009). ["*Leiopython albertisii* (Northern White-Lipped Python). Behavior"](http://www.leiopython.de/publications/2009,%20Schleip,%20Leiopython_Behavior.pdf) (PDF). *Herpetological Review*. **40** (2): 231. Retrieved 14 December 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Meh87_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Meh87_14-1) [Mehrtens JM](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/John_M._Mehrtens) (1987). *Living Snakes of the World in Color*. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8069-6460-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8069-6460-X).

## Further reading

- [Cogger HG](/source/Harold_Cogger) (2014). *Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition*. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0643100350](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0643100350). (*Leiopython albertisii*, p. 821).

- [Reynolds, R. Graham](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graham_Reynolds); [Niemiller, Matthew L.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Matthew_L._Niemiller); [Revell, Liam J.](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Liam_J._Revell) (2014). "Toward a Tree-of-Life for the boas and pythons: Multilocus species-level phylogeny with unprecedented taxon sampling". *Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution* **71**: 201–213.

v t e Family Pythonidae Antaresia Antaresia childreni Antaresia maculosa Antaresia perthensis Apodora Apodora papuana Aspidites Aspidites melanocephalus Aspidites ramsayi Bothrochilus Bothrochilus boa Leiopython Leiopython albertisii Leiopython biakensis Leiopython fredparkeri Liasis Liasis fuscus Liasis mackloti Liasis olivaceus Malayopython Malayopython reticulatus Malayopython timoriensis Morelia Morelia azurea Morelia bredli Morelia carinata Morelia imbricata Morelia spilota Morelia viridis Nyctophilopython Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis Python Python anchietae Python bivittatus Python breitensteini Python brongersmai Python curtus Python kyaiktiyo Python molurus Python natalensis Python regius Python sebae Simalia Simalia amethistina Simalia boeleni Simalia clastolepis Simalia kinghorni Simalia nauta Simalia tracyae

Taxon identifiers Leiopython albertisii Wikidata: Q2060927 Wikispecies: Leiopython albertisii ADW: Leiopython_albertisii CoL: 88HXK EoL: 792301 GBIF: 2465180 iNaturalist: 32200 IRMNG: 10365955 ITIS: 634771 IUCN: 199628 RD: albertisii Species+: 3452 Liasis albertisii Wikidata: Q43881949 GBIF: 2465184 IRMNG: 10727689 ITIS: 776901

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