The green tree python (Morelia viridis) is a unique python with the green color body and a prehensile tail. It is typically found in the New Guinea and the adjacent islands. While green pythons regularly climb up the trees they do prowl on the ground at night. Should they remain in trees all the time they can neither hunt terrestrial mammals nor can they search mates.
Green Tree Python Facts
Anatomy
- They are mostly recognized by the bright green body but in some cases the python displays blue or even yellow color. Yellow pythons are nevertheless extremely rare. These are the colors of adult pythons.
- Young green tree pythons are far from being near to the adults in appearance. They show range of different colors including brownish to brick red or lemon yellow. They carry white markings along the back.
- They seem to possess many tiny rows of body scales.
- They have long prehensile tail and slim body. The tail makes up 14% of the python’s overall length.
- It reaches an overall length of about 150–180 cm (4.9-5.9 ft) but it mainly depends on the location.
- The average weight of the male pythons is about 1100-1400 g (2.4-3.1 lb) whereas females weigh up to 1,600 g (3.5 lb). This much weight is usually observed in captive specimen.
- Female pythons are slightly larger than males.
See also: What Do Pythons Eat in the Wild?
Geographic Range
- They are likely to survive in New Guinea, United States and the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. Green tree python’s range extends to several islands such as Normanby Island, Aru, Biak, Sorong, and Yapen.
Habitat
- Green tree pythons are thought to occur in the tropical rainforests and they are rarely observed on land. They are arboreal snakes and their habitats are found from sea-level to a height of 6,000 feet above sea level.
- Tree pythons choose tree hollows or low branches as their sleeping habitats.
Feeding Ecology & Diet
- Green tree pythons rely on small mammals, rodents, and reptiles. They have got unique way of striking prey in that the python sticks to the branch while attacking its prey in S-shaped position.
- They don’t really eat birds.
- Young pythons eat skinks and geckos.
Reproductive Biology
- Males become aggressive in the breeding season. Like reticulated python green tree pythons bite one another to win a female partner.
- The breeding occurs from August to late December.
- The female lays as many as 12 – 25 eggs from November to February. Moments after laying eggs the female coils around the eggs.
- Eggs hatch in about 39 – 65 days.
- The length of the eggs measure about 1.6 in (4 cm).
- Hatchlings average 11–14 in (28–36 cm) in length.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
