View source for Borneo python

{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2021}}
{{Distinguish|Sumatran short-tailed python|Blood python}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Borneo python
| image = Python breitensteini (13106752324).jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Inger, R.F. |author2=Iskandar, D. |author3=Lilley, R. |author4=Jenkins, H. |author5=Das, I. |date=2012 |title=''Python breitensteini'' |volume=2012 |page=e.T192013A2028005 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192013A2028005.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Python
| species = breitensteini
| authority = [[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1880
| synonyms = 
*''Python breitensteini'' {{small|Steindachner, 1880}}
*''Python curtus breitensteini'' <br>{{small|— [[Olive Griffith Stull|Stull]], 1935}}
*''Python curtus breitensteini'' <br>{{small|— [[Andrew Francis Stimson|Stimson]], 1969}}<ref name="McD99">{{cite book|author=[[:fr:Roy Wallace McDiarmid|McDiarmid RW]], [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], [[T'Shaka Touré|Touré T]]|year=1999|title=Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Volume 1|location=Washington, District of Columbia|publisher=Herpetologists' League|isbn=1893777014 }}</ref>
*''Python breitensteini'' <br>{{small|[[J. Scott Keogh|Keogh]], [[David G. Barker|Barker]] & [[Richard Shine|Shine]], 2001}}<ref name=RDB/>
}}

The '''Borneo python''' ('''''Python breitensteini'''''), also known [[Common name|commonly]] as the '''Borneo short-tailed python''', is a [[species]] of non-[[venomous snake]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Pythonidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to the island of [[Borneo]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name="McD99"/>

==Taxonomy==
For a while considered a [[subspecies]] of ''[[Python curtus]]'', ''P. breitensteini'' was re-elevated to a full species by [[J. Scott Keogh|Keogh]], [[David G. Barker|Barker]] and [[Richard Shine|Shine]] (2001).<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Python|species=breitensteini|date=29 December|year=2015}}</ref> The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''breitensteini'', is in honor of [[:de:Heinrich Breitenstein|Heinrich Breitenstein]], a [[Germans|German]] [[physician]] and [[Natural history|naturalist]] who collected [[amphibians]] and [[reptiles]] in Borneo.<ref>[[Richard Allen "Bo" Crombet-Beolens|Beolens B]], [[Michael Watkins (zoologist)|Watkins M]], [[Michael Grayson|Grayson M]] (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Python breitensteini'', p. 38).</ref>

==Description==
[[File:BorneopythonAugmented.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Juvenile]] 
[[File:Python breitensteini.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Juvenile in captivity]]
Adults of ''P. breitensteini'' have been reported to attain a total length (including tail) of 2.1&nbsp;m (7&nbsp;ft), although they are usually no more than 1.2&nbsp;m (4&nbsp;ft). Heavy-bodied, they can weigh as much as 13.6&nbsp;kg (30&nbsp;lb). Females are generally larger than males. The head is broad with several thermoreceptive pits along the nose. The tail is short and tapering.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

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.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Distribution and habitat==
On the island of Borneo, ''P. breitensteini'' is found in [[Brunei]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Malaysia]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /><ref name="McD99"/> Typically, it is 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==Reproduction==
''P. breitensteini'' is [[Oviparity|oviparous]].<ref name=RDB/>

==Captivity==
[[File:Python egg tooth.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Hatchling [[egg tooth]] visible]] 
While the Borneo python generally has a reputation for being mean-tempered, this species is increasing in popularity among [[reptile]] enthusiasts because [[captive breeding|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.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
*[[:fr:Indraneil Das|Das I]] (2006). ''A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Borneo''. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-061-1}}. (''Python breitensteini'', p.&nbsp;16).
*[[J. Scott Keogh|Keogh JS]], [[David G. Barker|Barker DG]], [[Richard Shine|Shine R]] (2001). "Heavily Exploited but Poorly Known: Systematics and Biogeography of Commercially Harvested Pythons (''Python curtus'' group) in Southeast Asian". ''Biological Journal of the Linnean Society'' 73: 113-129.
*[[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner F]] (1880) ("1881"). "''Über eine neue Pythonart (''Python Breitensteini'') aus Borneo''". ''Sitzungberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. Abtheilung I.'' (Vienna) '''82''': 267-268. (''Python breitensteini'', new species). 
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Python breitensteini}}
{{Pythonidae}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q893958}}

[[Category:Python (genus)]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Borneo]]
[[Category:Fauna of Brunei]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1880]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Borneo]]