Green Tree Python
Morelia viridis • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Subfamily: Pythoninae, Genus: Morelia, Species: Morelia viridis
Found in New Guinea, various islands in Indonesia, and the Cape York Peninsula in Australia.
Look up Green Tree Python in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs or venom delivery systems (aglyphous).
Danger Level
Low Risk; generally harmless to humans, though they can deliver a painful bite with their long, recurved teeth if provoked.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Pythonidae, Subfamily: Pythoninae, Genus: Morelia, Species: Morelia viridis
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN), though threatened by the illegal pet trade and localized habitat loss.
Physical Description
Vibrant emerald green body with white or yellow vertebral spots; small, granular head scales; vertical pupils; heat-sensing pits on the labial scales; slender body with a prehensile tail.
Size & Dimensions
Typically 1.2 to 1.8 meters (4-6 feet) in length. Maximum recorded is approximately 2.2 meters (7 feet). The specimen appears to be an adult.
Habitat
Primarily arboreal, inhabiting lowland tropical rainforests at elevations up to 2,000 meters. Often found in shrubs or trees with dense canopy cover.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal ambush predator. Noted for its characteristic resting posture, coiled over a branch with its head tucked in the center. Can be sedentary but is highly defensive if disturbed.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily small mammals (rodents) and birds. Employs a sit-and-wait ambush strategy, using caudal luring (wiggling the tail) to attract prey and constriction to kill.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 5 to 35 eggs and provide maternal care by brooding and shivering to maintain egg temperature.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) is a notable morphologically similar species from South America; distinguished by the size of head scales and placement of heat-sensing pits.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN), though threatened by the illegal pet trade and localized habitat loss.
Cultural Significance
Highly prized in the global herpetocultural pet trade. Ecologically vital for controlling small mammal populations in rainforest ecosystems.
Notable Features
Ontogenetic color change: hatchlings are born bright yellow or brick red and gradually turn green as they mature to provide better camouflage in the canopy.