Green Tree Python

Morelia viridis

The Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) is a strikingly beautiful species of python native to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, various Indonesian islands, and parts of Cape York Peninsula in Australia. Renowned for its vibrant green coloration, which provides excellent camouflage among the foliage, the Green Tree Python is an arboreal serpent that spends most of its life in the trees. Juveniles often exhibit bright yellow, red, or orange hues before transitioning to the iconic green as they mature.

Typically measuring between 4 to 6 feet in length, this python possesses a slender, muscular body adapted for a life among the branches. Its prehensile tail aids in grasping and navigating through the forest canopy with ease. The species primarily feeds on small mammals and birds, employing an ambush strategy to capture prey, using its sharp, backward-facing teeth to secure the catch.

The Green Tree Python is also known for its distinctive resting posture, where it drapes itself over branches in a saddle position, forming a series of coils. As a non-venomous constrictor, it subdues its prey by wrapping its coils around the victim and applying pressure until suffocation ensues. Primarily nocturnal, this python is adapted to the dark forest setting with its heat-sensitive pits along its lips, helping it detect warm-blooded prey even in low light conditions.

In the wild, the Green Tree Python contributes to the ecological balance by controlling rodent populations and acting as a prey species for larger predators. Due to its striking appearance and relatively calm disposition, this species has become a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts, although it requires specific care to mimic its natural habitat. Conservation efforts are key to preserving the Green Tree Python's habitat, which faces threats from deforestation and habitat degradation.