What Is a Green Tree Python?
A green tree python lives its whole life, nearly all of the time, within the forest canopy, happily protected under leaves. Juveniles are reddish, yellow, or brown at birth and turn green as adults. Their long, slender body, aided by the prehensile tail, renders them ideally suited to a tree life, and the green tree pythons are a stately but fascinating tree-dwelling inhabitant of rainforests. We are discussing the Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis), an unpoisonous, arboreal snake native to New Guinea, Indonesia, and Cape York Peninsula of Australia. Since it is light green and perching, the species is increasingly gaining popularity with reptile breeders.
What does a green tree python look like?
Green tree pythons are famous for their emerald green color that makes them blend so well with the leafy trees. Adults have white, yellow, or brown small spots on the side and back, but are yellow, red, or brown-colored at birth, and, fully grown, they turn green when they are about one year of age. An adult has a lean, muscular body, a taut, wide head, and a long prehensile tail. He has smooth, fine scales and a visible demarcation of the head-neck. A female is heavier and larger compared to a male.
| Morph/Locality | Color Pattern | Scale Arrangement | Size Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aru Island | Blue spots over brilliant green | Delicate scales, smooth | 4–6 feet |
| Biak | Yellow markings over green | Asymmetrical head scales | 5–7 feet |
| Sorong | Green stripe and white over a slender body | slender body with delicate scales | 4–6 feet |
| Jayapura | Spotty green, blue stripes on its back | Small, even scales | 4–6 feet |
How is a green tree python not the same as an emerald tree boa?
A distinction between green tree python and emerald tree boa will be required among breeders and collectors, for although the two tree snakes are extremely close due to convergent evolution, there are distinctions in habitat and obvious differences.
- Head shape: The emerald tree boa has a boxier, rounder head.
- Head size: Green tree pythons possess a narrower, angular head.
- Scales: Boas possess larger, symmetrical scales; pythons possess smaller, asymmetrical scales, especially on the head.
- Habitat and behavior: Pythons are more aggressive and defensive; boas are less aggressive, and from Australasia, not South America. Mnemonic Device: “Boas are born live, pythons lay eggs. Boxy head? Boa. Pointed head? Python.”
What Are the Different Types of Green Tree Pythons?
Green tree pythons have several extremely varied range of morphs and localities with one-of-a-kind color, marking, and geography.
What are the different morphs and localities of green tree pythons?
Green tree pythons exhibit extensive color and pattern variation by locality and morph, which in the majority of instances coincides with their country of origin. Natural morphs occur, along with captive, selectively bred morphs.
| Morph/Locality | Geographic Distribution | Distinctive Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aru | Aru Islands, Indonesia | Bright green, blue spots, white vertebral stripe |
| Biak | Biak Island, Indonesia | Yellow spots on green, robust build |
| Sorong | Sorong, West Papua | White dorsal stripe against green |
| Jayapura | Papua, Indonesia | Blue dorsal stripe, unmarked green |
- Aru: White spotting and blue dorsal stripes.
- Biak: Yellow color and larger.
- Sorong: Narrow body, broad white stripe.
- Jayapura: Pale blue edges and dark green.
How Big Do Green Tree Pythons Get?
Green tree pythons range from 4–7 feet in length, with the females weighing and being longer than the males.
How tall and how much does a green tree python weigh?
Green tree pythons will generally be 5 to 6.5 feet (1.5–2 meters) long, with the females reaching up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) in length.
Males are approximately 2.4–3.1 lbs (1.1–1.4 kg), and females up to 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) or more. The habitats vary in size, and the Biak morphs are larger. Hatchlings measure approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in length when they hatch and grow very quickly in the first year, afterwards slowing down. Their food and environment also affect how tall they grow as adults.
- Aru: 4–6 feet
- Biak: 5–7 feet
- Sorong/Jayapura: 4–6 feet
Behavioral characteristics and temperament
Green tree pythons are solitary, ambush hunters who pass as much as 90% of their time coiled around branches deep within the rainforest canopy. They climb and hunt using their prehensile tails and hang suspended to entice prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. While their radiant color has made them a favorite among reptile keepers, green tree pythons are shy and defensive and will bite when threatened.
Are green tree pythons poisonous or venomous?
Green tree pythons are neither poisonous nor venomous and are not toxic to or harmful in any manner to human beings.
- They will unjustly damn their striking coloration as a warning when, in fact, they use camouflage, not venom.
- In defense, they bite in peril or stiffen to get camouflaged, but none of these do they neither imitate venomous animals nor do they possess toxins.
Where Does the Green Tree Python Live?
Green tree pythons inhabit New Guinea’s tropical rainforest and edges, Indonesia, and northern Australia, and are arboreal.
Where is the habitat?
Green tree pythons inhabit tropical rainforests, monsoon forests, bamboo thickets, and dense-shrub-edged forests. They are highly arboreal, spend a great deal of time coiled at the top-canopy level on branches, and employ prehensile tails to use for bracing and climbing. Their green coloration is specialized to blend in with leaves and vines to facilitate ambush of prey and evading predators in the dense, humid environments that they occupy.
What Do Green Tree Pythons Eat?
Green tree pythons prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using ambush hunting strategies to ambush prey in their forest canopy environment.
What does the snake diet include?
Green tree pythons are carnivorous ambush predators in the wild. So, they will wrap their prehensile tail around branch edges and ambush a passing prey animal.
- Typical prey: Small rodents, birds, lizards, and reptiles now and then.
- Hunting strategy: Ambush hunters move incredibly fast when they strike from a coiled position on branches.
- Juveniles and adults: Juveniles are specialized feeders of small prey such as insects, frogs, and little lizards, whereas adults are specialist feeders on birds and mammals.
Green Tree Python Care
You must care for them in the form of a vertically mounted enclosure, proper temperature and humidity control, regular feeding, and monitoring of tree-dwelling snakes’ peculiar health issues.
Green Tree Python Enclosure
To simulate their arboreal habitat, they require a tall, large enclosure with plenty of climbing equipment. Vertical space is more crucial than ground space.
- Ideal enclosure size: Minimum 3 L x 2 ‘ W x 2 ‘ H for adults; bigger is better.
- Substrate choices: Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, or bioactive substrates; coconut fiber holds humidity, and cypress mulch resists mold.
- Hides and perches: Secure multiple branches, diversified perches of varying heights, and secure hiding spots are necessary for safety and stress relief.
How do you maintain your temperatures and humidity in check?
Green tree pythons require a regulated temperature gradient and constant humidity to thrive.
- Day temperatures: 75–85°F (24–29°C) with a basking spot up to 90°F (32°C).
- Night temperatures: 70–75°F (21–24°C).
- Humidity: 60–80% for normal shedding and respiratory function.
- Equipment and methods: Use thermostats, digital thermometers, hygrometers, heat mats, ceramic heaters, and intermittent misting or timed misters to monitor and control optimal conditions.
How often should you feed a green tree python?
Size and age control feeding frequency and amount.
Feeding Schedule
- Hatchlings: Feed every 5-7 days.
- Juveniles: Feed every 1-2 weeks.
- Adults: Feed every 2-4 weeks.
- Dieting instructions: Feed only using tongs, pre-thaw and preheat the prey, and do not overfeed to prevent obesity. Allow the snake to digest fully before handling, and observe for regurgitation or refusal to eat as signs of stress or disease.
What are some common health issues, and how can they be avoided?
Green tree pythons are subject to many different health issues, most of which involve husbandry-related issues.
- Warning signs: Wheezing, mucus (respiratory illness); blisters, retained shed (skin illness); noticing mites or lethargy (parasitic infestation).
- Preventative veterinary attention: Offer suitable temperature and humidity, clean the cage regularly, quarantine new pets, and avoid over-handling.
- Veterinary care: Periodic check-up by a reptile doctor, treat illness when it first appears, and recognize changes in behavior or loss of appetite as initial warning signs.
How Much Does a Green Tree Python Cost
The cost of a green tree python depends on morph, locality, age, and the reputation of the breeder. Less popular morphs and well-documented bloodlines cost more.
- Average purchase prices: Average localities $300–$600; rare morphs or designer lines $1,000–$3,000+.
- Setup costs: $300–$800 for a suitable vertical enclosure, heat, lighting, and ornamentation.
- Recurring costs: $10–$30/month for food, $50–$100/year for substrate and cleaning materials, and vet care as needed.
Investment in proper husbandry and health care is essential to the health of these fragile snakes.
Are green tree pythons pets?
Green tree pythons make good pets for advanced intermediate to advanced reptile keepers because they have specialized care needs and are very sensitive to handling.
- Temperament: Can be defensive and bite; not for regular handling.
- Time investment: Daily temperature, humidity, and health monitoring; regular enclosure cleaning.
- Legal problems: Get the local laws first before taking one home.
- Suitability: Not the most ideal for families with small children or people who want a pet that they can cuddle; best for people who like exhibition animals and can meet their environmental needs.
Last Words
Green tree pythons are beautiful, tree-dwelling snakes valued for their bright green color and interesting behaviors. Though demanding specialized care, such as exacting temperature, humidity, and enclosure configurations, they reward serious keepers with dramatic beauty and interesting habits. These non-venomous and mostly ambush-hunting snakes are ideally suited to serious reptile keepers who understand their timid and sometimes defensive nature. Excellent knowledge, patience, and dedication are needed to help guarantee a thriving, healthy captive green tree python.
A Green Tree Python FAQs
- What is a green tree python?
- A prehensile tail and a bright green-colored, arboreal snake without any venom.
- Do green tree pythons have fangs?
- Yes, they do possess sharp, pointed teeth without any venom-filled fangs, killing their victims with constriction.
- What do green tree pythons eat?
- Small mammals, birds, and reptiles; juveniles feed on smaller animals such as lizards and frogs.
- How do you take care of a green tree python?
- Needs tall enclosure with climbing branch, regulated temperature (75–90°F), and humidity (60–80%).
- What size enclosure do I need?
- At least 3 L x 2 ‘ W x 2 ‘ H for adults.
- How much do green tree pythons cost?
- Costs $300 to well over $3,000, depending on morph and breeder prestige.