Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Python breitensteini Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Genus Python Higher classification Python | |
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Similar Snake, Python, Python curtus, Python brongersmai, Python family | ||
The Borneo python (Python breitensteini) is a species of non venomous python endemic to the island of Borneo. Other common names include Bornean short python and Borneo short-tailed python.
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Etymology
The specific name, breitensteini, is in honor of Heinrich Breitenstein, a German physician and naturalist who collected amphibians and reptiles in Borneo.
Description
Adults have been reported to attain a total length (including tail) of 2.1 m (7 ft), although they are usually no more than 1.2 m (4 ft). Heavy-bodied, they can weigh as much as 13.6 kg (30 lb). Females are generally larger than males. The head is broad with several thermoreceptive pits along the nose. The tail is short and tapering.
The color pattern is usually tan with brown blotching, which varies greatly. Though no instances of albinism have been reported, a few individuals display a significantly lighter color, appearing more yellow than brown. Juveniles have a more contrasting pattern than adults. The head is usually yellow.
Geographic range
P. breitensteini is found in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.
Habitat
Typically, they are found at lower elevations, on poorly drained flood plains, or on the edges of swampy areas; man-made irrigation of farmland has also provided appropriate habitat.
Captivity
While the species as a whole generally has a reputation for being mean-tempered, this species is increasing in popularity among reptile enthusiasts because captive-bred specimens are recognized as easier to handle than wild-caught snakes. Almost all of the early imported animals were animals originally caught for the skin trade.
Taxonomy
For a while considered a subspecies of Python curtus, it was re-elevated to a full species by Keogh, Barker and Shine (2001).