View source for Python (genus)

{{Short description|Genus of snakes}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = ''Python''
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|Miocene|Present}}
| image = Python bivittatus тигровый питон.jpg
| image_caption = [[Burmese python]] (''Python bivittatus'')
| taxon = Python
| authority = [[François Marie Daudin|Daudin]], 1803
| type_species = ''[[Python molurus|Boa molura]]''{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
| type_species_authority = [[Linnaeus]], 1758
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
 |1=''Python'' <small>[[Daudin]], 1803</small>
 |2=''Constrictor'' <small>[[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830</small>
 |3=''Enygrus'' <small>[[Johann Georg Wagler|Wagler]], 1830</small>
 |4=''Engyrus'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1831</small>
 |5=''Enygris'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842</small>
 |6=''Heleionomus'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842</small>
 |7=''Morelia'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842</small>
 |8=''Hortulia'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1842</small>
 |9=''Asterophis'' <small>[[Fitzinger]], 1843</small>
 |10=''Liasis'' <small>[[André Marie Constant Duméril|Duméril]] & [[Bibron]], 1844</small>
 |11=''Simalia'' <small>[[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1849</small>
 |12=''Aspidopython'' <small>Meyer, 1874</small>
 |13=''Aspidoboa'' <small>Sauvage, 1884</small>
 |14=''Hypaspistes'' <small>[[James Douglas Ogilby|Ogilby]], 1891</small>}}
}}

'''''Python''''' is a [[genus]] of constricting snakes in the [[Pythonidae]] [[Family (biology)|family]] native to the [[tropics]] and subtropics of the [[Eastern Hemisphere]].<ref name="McD99">{{cite book |last1=McDiarmid |first1=R. W. |last2=Campbell |first2=J. A. |last3=Touré |first3=T. |year=1999 |title=Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Volume 1 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Herpetologists' League |isbn=1893777014 |chapter=''Python'' }}</ref>

The name ''python'' was proposed by [[François Marie Daudin]] in 1803 for non-venomous flecked snakes.<ref name=Daudin>{{cite book |last1=Daudin |first1=F. M. |year=1803 |title=Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, des reptiles. Tome 8 |location=Paris |publisher=De l'Imprimerie de F. Dufart  |page=384 |chapter=''Python'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/histoirenaturel181802daud/page/384}}</ref>
Currently, 10 python [[species]] are recognized as [[Valid name (zoology)|valid]] [[taxa]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barker |first1=D. G. |last2=Barker |first2=T. M. |last3=Davis |first3=M. A. |last4=Schuett |first4=G. W. |year=2015 |title=A review of the systematics and taxonomy of Pythonidae: an ancient serpent lineage |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=175 |issue=1 |pages=1−19 |doi=10.1111/zoj.12267 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274892692|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Three formerly considered python subspecies have been promoted, and a new species recognized.{{since when|date=September 2022}}

==Taxonomy==
The [[Generic name (biology)|generic name]] ''Python'' was proposed by François Marie Daudin in 1803 for non-venomous snakes with a flecked skin and a long split tongue.<ref name=Daudin/>

In 1993, seven python species were recognized as valid taxa.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Kluge, A. G. |year=1993 |title=Aspidites and the phylogeny of pythonine snakes |journal=Records of the Australian Museum |issue=Supplement 19 |pages=1–77}}</ref>
On the basis of [[phylogenetic]] analyses, between seven and 13 python species are recognized.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Lawson, R. |author2=Slowinski, J. B. |author3=Burbrink, F. T. |year=2004 |title=A molecular approach to discerning the phylogenetic placement of the enigmatic snake ''Xenophidion schaeferi'' among the Alethinophidia |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=263 |issue=3 |pages=285–294 |doi=10.1017/s0952836904005278 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Reynolds, R. G. |author2=Niemiller, M. L. |author3=Revell, L. J. |year=2014 |title=Toward a tree-of-life for the boas and pythons: multilocus species-level phylogeny with unprecedented taxon sampling |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=71 |issue=71 |pages=201–213|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2013.11.011 |pmid=24315866}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" 
|-
!style="width: 200px;" | Species !! Image !! [[IUCN Red List]] and geographic range
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Indian python]] (''P. molurus''; [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])<ref name="Linaeus1758">{{Cite book |last=Linnaeus |first=C. |title=Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis |location=Holmiae |publisher=Laurentii Salvii |year=1758 |volume=1 |edition=Tenth reformed |page=225 |chapter=''Coluber molurus'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/carolilinnisys00linn/page/225}}</ref>
|[[File:Python molurus molurus 2.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Near-Threatened|{{IUCN status|NT}}]]<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Python molurus'' |name-list-style=amp |author1=Aengals, A. |author2=Das, A. |author3=Mohapatra, P. |author4=Srinivasulu, C. |author5=Srinivasulu, B. |author6=Shankar, G. |author7=Murthy, B.H.C. |year=2021 |page=e.T58894358A1945283 |accessdate=2 December 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Python molurus Area.svg|frameless]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Central African rock python]] (''P. sebae''; [[Johann Friedrich Gmelin|Gmelin]], 1788)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gmelin |first=J. F. |title=Caroli a Linné. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae: secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis |location=Lipsiae |publisher=Georg Emanuel Beer |year=1788 |volume=I, Part III |edition=13., aucta, reformata |page=1118 |chapter=''Coluber sebae'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/carolilinns01linn/page/1118}}</ref>
|[[File:Gfp-african-rock-python.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Near threatened|{{IUCN status|NT}}]]<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Python sebae'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Alexander, G.J. |author2=Tolley, K.A. |author3=Penner, J. |author4=Luiselli, L. |author5=Jallow, M. |author6=Segniagbeto, G. |author7=Niagate, B. |author8=Howell, K. |author9=Beraduccii, J. |author10=Msuya, C.A. |author11=Ngalason, W. |year=2021 |page=e.T13300572A13300582 |accessdate=2 December 2021}}</ref><br/>[[File:Natural Range of Python sebae.svg|frameless]]<br>Range shown in green
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Ball python]] (''P. regius''; [[George Shaw (biologist)|Shaw]], 1802)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shaw |first1=G. |year=1802 |title=General zoology, or Systematic natural history. Volume III, Part II |location=London |publisher=G. Kearsley |pages=347–348 |chapter=Royal Boa |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/generalzoology3121802shaw/page/n561}}</ref>
|[[File:Female Ball python (Python regius).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Near Threatened|{{IUCN status|NT|177562}}]]<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Python regius'' |name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |author=D'Cruze, N. |author2=Wilms, T. |author3=Penner, J. |author4=Luiselli, L. |author5=Jallow, M. |author6=Segniagbeto, G. |author7=Niagate, B. |author8=Schmitz, A. |page=e.T177562A15340592 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Python regius distribution.svg|frameless]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Burmese python]] (''P. bivittatus''; [[Heinrich Kuhl|Kuhl]], 1820)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kuhl |first1=H. |year=1820 |title=Beiträge zur Zoologie und vergleichenden Anatomie |location=Frankfurt am Main |publisher=Verlag der Hermannschen Buchhandlung |page=94 |chapter=''Python bivittatus mihi'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/beitrgezurzool00kuhl/page/n107}}</ref>
|[[File:Python bivittatus (30854313993).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Vulnerable species|{{IUCN status|VU|193451}}]]<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Python bivittatus'' |name-list-style=amp |author1=Stuart, B. |author2=Nguyen, T.Q. |author3=Thy, N. |author4=Grismer, L. |author5=Chan-Ard, T. |author6=Iskandar, D. |author7=Golynsky, E. |author8=Lau, M.W. |page=e.T193451A151341916 |date=2019 |errata=2019 |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Python bivittatus Area.svg|frameless]]
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Southern African rock python]] (''P. natalensis''; [[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|Smith]], 1833)<ref>{{cite book |author=Smith, A. |year=1849 |title=Illustrations of the zoology of South Africa : consisting chiefly of figures and descriptions of the objects of natural history collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa, in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836; fitted out by "the Cape of Good Hope Association for exploring Central Africa" : together with a summary of African zoology, and an inquiry into the geographical ranges of species in that quarter of the globe |location=London |publisher=Smith, Elder and Co |pages=42–44 |chapter=''Python natalensis'' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/illustrationszo00smite/page/n41/mode/2up}}</ref>
|[[File:Python natalensis G. J. Alexander.JPG|frameless]]
|[[Least-concern species|{{IUCN status|LC}}]]<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Python natalensis'' |name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |author=Alexander, G.J. |author2=Tolley, K.A. |page=e.T13300560A13300564 |access-date=19 April 2022}}</ref><br>[[File:Natural Range of Python sebae.svg|frameless]]<br>Range shown in orange
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Sumatran short-tailed python]] (''P. curtus''; [[Hermann Schlegel|Schlegel]], 1872)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schlegel |first1=H. |year=1872 |title=De Diergaarde van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra te Amsterdam: De Kruipende Dieren |editor1-last=Witkamp |editor1-first=P. H. |location=Amsterdam |publisher=Van Es |pages=53–54 |chapter=De Pythons |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/dedierentuinvanh00schl/page/54}}</ref>
|[[File:Python curtus (2).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Near threatened|{{IUCN status|LC|192013}}]]<ref name=iucn_curtus>{{cite iucn |title=''Python curtus'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Inger, R.F. |author2=Iskandar, D. |author3=Lilley, R. |author4=Jenkins, H. |author5=Das, I. |date=2014 |page=e.T192244A2060581 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Geographic_distributions-Python.curtus-brongersmai-breitensteini.jpg|frameless]]<br>Range shown in yellow
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Borneo python|Bornean python]] (''P. breitensteini''; [[Franz Steindachner|Steindachner]], 1881)<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Steindachner |first1=F. |year=1880 |title=Über eine neue Pythonart (''Python breitensteini'') aus Borneo |journal=Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften Wien |volume=82 |pages=267−280}}</ref>
|[[file:Python breitensteini (13106768574).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Least Concern|{{IUCN status|LC|192013}}]]<ref name=iucn_breitensteini>{{cite iucn |title=''Python breitensteini'' |author=Inger, R.F. |author2=Iskandar, D. |author3=Lilley, R. |author4=Jenkins, H. |author5=Das, I. |date=2012 |page=e.T192013A2028005 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Geographic_distributions-Python.curtus-brongersmai-breitensteini.jpg|frameless]]<br>Range shown in green
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Python anchietae|Angolan python]] (''P. anchietae''; [[José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage|Bocage]], 1887)
|[[File:Angolan Dwarf Python (Python anchietae).jpg|frameless]]
|[[Least Concern|{{IUCN status|LC|177539}}]]<ref name=iucn_anchietae>{{cite iucn |title=''Python anchietae'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Baptista, N. |author2=Becker, F. |author3=Conradie, W. |author4=Bauer, A.M. |author5=Ceríaco, L.M.P. |date=2021 |page=e.T177539A120594491 |access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref><br>[[File:Approximate Distribution of Python anchietae.jpg|frameless]]<ref name=iucn_anchietae/>
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Python brongersmai|Blood python]] (''P. brongersmai''; [[Olive Griffith Stull|Stull]], 1938) {{small|(formerly ''P. curtus brongersmai'')}}
|[[File:Python brongersmai, Brongersma's short-tailed python.jpg|frameless]]
|[[Least Concern|{{IUCN status|LC|192169}}]]<ref name=iucn_brongersmai>{{cite iucn |title=''Python brongersmai'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Grismer, L. |author2=Chan-Ard, T. |year=2012 |page=e.T192169A2050353 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T192169A2050353.en |access-date=13 March 2018}}</ref><br>[[File:Geographic_distributions-Python.curtus-brongersmai-breitensteini.jpg|frameless]]<br>Range shown in red
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Python kyaiktiyo|Myanmar short-tailed python]] (''P. kyaiktiyo''; Zug, Gotte & Jacobs, 2011)<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zug |first1=G. R. |last2=Gotte |first2=S. W. |last3=Jacobs |first3=J. F. |year=2011 |title=Pythons in Burma: Short-tailed python (Reptilia: Squamata) |journal=Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington |volume=124 |issue=2 |pages=112−136 |doi=10.2988/10-34.1 |s2cid=86424371 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232683390}}</ref>
|[[File:P.kyaiktiyo II.png|frameless]]
|[[Vulnerable species|{{IUCN status|VU|199854}}]]<ref name=iucn_kyaiktiyo>{{cite iucn |title=''Python kyaiktiyo'' |name-list-style=amp |author=Wogan, G. |author2=Chan-Ard, T. |year=2012 |page=e.T199854A2614411 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T199854A2614411.en |access-date=13 March 2018}}</ref><br>West of the [[Tenasserim Hills]], [[Myanmar]]<ref name=iucn_kyaiktiyo/>
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|{{extinct}} European python (''[[Python europaeus]]''; Szyndlar & Rage, 2003)<ref name=Szyndlar2003>{{cite book |last1=Szyndlar |first1=Z. |last2=Rage |first2=J. C. |year=2003 |title=Non-erycine Booidea from the Oligocene and Miocene of Europe |publisher=Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals |location=Kraków |chapter=''Python europaeus'' |pages=68−72}}</ref>
|
|[[Extinct|{{IUCN status|EX}}]]
Extinct species known from the discovery of a trunk [[vertebrae]] dated to the [[Miocene]] epoch, found in Vieux-Collonges and [[La Grive-Saint-Alban]], [[France]].<ref name=Szyndlar2003/>
|}

==Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Angolian-Python.jpg|200 px|thumbnail|left|''Python anchietae'']]
In [[Africa]], pythons are native to the tropics south of the [[Sahara]], but not in the extreme south-western tip of southern Africa (Western Cape) or in [[Madagascar]]. In [[Asia]], they occur from [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Sri Lanka]], including the [[Nicobar Islands]], through [[Myanmar]], east to [[Indochina]], southern [[China]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Hainan]], as well as in the [[Malaysia|Malayan]] region of [[Indonesia]] and the [[Philippines]].<ref name="McD99"/>

=== Invasive ===
Some suggest that ''P. bivittatus'' and ''P. sebae'' have the potential to be problematic invasive species in South [[Florida]].<ref name="SD">{{Cite news |title=Python Snakes, An Invasive Species In Florida, Could Spread To One Third Of US |date=2008 |work=ScienceDaily |access-date=2017-08-01 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080223111456.htm}}</ref> In early 2016, after a culling operation yielded 106 pythons, [[Everglades National Park]] officials suggested that "thousands" may live within the park, and that the species has been breeding there for some years. More recent data suggest that these pythons would not withstand winter climates north of Florida, contradicting previous research suggesting a more significant geographic potential range.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Avery |first1=M. L. |last2=Engeman |first2=R. M. |last3=Keacher |first3=K. L. |last4=Humphrey |first4=J. S. |last5=Bruce |first5=W. E. |last6=Mathies |first6=T. C. |last7=Mauldin |first7=R. E. |year=2010 |title=Cold weather and the potential range of invasive Burmese pythons |journal=Biological Invasions |volume=12 |issue=11 |pages=3649−3652 |doi=10.1007/s10530-010-9761-4|s2cid=2060365 |url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1859&context=icwdm_usdanwrc |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Uses==
[[File:Spider Morph Ball Python.png|thumb|Ball pythons commonly exhibit mutations, such as this "Spider" morph, and are popular among snake keepers.]]
Python skin is used to make clothing, such as vests, belts, boots and shoes, or fashion accessories such as handbags. It may also be stretched and formed as the sound board of some string musical instruments, such as the [[erhu]] spike-fiddle, [[sanxian]] and the [[sanshin]] lutes.<ref name="asovivasanshin.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.asovivasanshin.com/introduction.html |title=About Sanshin: Introduction to the asian banjo - the Okinawan sanshin |access-date=2015-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821200923/http://www.asovivasanshin.com/introduction.html |archive-date=2016-08-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
With a high demand of snake skin in the current fashion industry, countries in Africa and Southern Asia partake in the legal and illegal selling of python skin. Providing an extremely low pay for the hunters with an extremely high selling product for the consumers, there is an enormous gap between the beginning and end of the snake skin trade.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Wahab |name-list-style=amp |author2=Maulany, R. I. |author3=Nasri |author4=Nirsyawita |year=2020 |title=Hunting and trading activities of reticulated python (''Python reticulatus'') in South Sulawesi, Indonesia: A report from the field |journal=IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science |volume=486 |issue=1 |pages=12029– |doi=10.1088/1755-1315/486/1/012029 |bibcode=2020E&ES..486a2029W |s2cid=219739375 |url=|doi-access=free }}</ref>

===As pets===
Many ''Python'' species, such as [[Python regius|''P. regius'']], [[Python brongersmai|''P. brongersmai'']], [[Python bivittatus|''P. bivittatus'']] and [[Malayopython reticulatus|''M. reticulatus'']], are popular to keep as pets due to their ease of care, docile temperament, and vibrant colors, with some rare mutations having been sold for several thousands of dollars. Pythons in the pet trade are sourced from the wild, or from captive females that were taken from the wild ('captive-born'), or from parents that themselves were born in a captive setting ('captive-bred')<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nijman |first=Vincent |date=2022-11-05 |title=Harvest quotas, free markets and the sustainable trade in pythons |url=https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/article/80988/ |journal=Nature Conservation |language=en |volume=48 |pages=99–121 |doi=10.3897/natureconservation.48.80988 |s2cid=248733239 |issn=1314-3301|doi-access=free }}</ref> Despite controversy that has arisen from media reports, with proper safety procedures pet pythons are relatively safe to own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Malayopython&species=reticulatus|title = Malayopython reticulatus}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anapsid.org/handling.html|title=Playing with the Big Boys: Handling Large Constrictors|website=www.anapsid.org|access-date=2017-08-01}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The word 'Python' is derived from the [[Latin language|Latin]] word 'pȳthon' and the [[Greek language|Greek]] word 'πύθων', both referring to ''[[Python (mythology)|Python]]'', "the serpent slain, according to the myth, near [[Delphi]] by [[Apollo]], who was fabled to have been called Pythius in commemoration of this victory".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=C. T. |last2=Short |first2=C. |year=1879 |title=A Latin Dictionary |location=Oxford |publisher=Clarendon Press |chapter=Pȳthon |chapter-url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3DPython}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Commons and category|Python (genus)}}
{{Americana Poster|Python (serpent)|Python (genus)}}
* {{NRDB genus|genus=Python|date=11 September|year=2007}}

{{Pythonidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q271218}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Python (genus)| ]]
[[Category:Snake genera]]
[[Category:Pythonidae]]
[[Category:Taxa named by François Marie Daudin]]