GREEN TREE PYTHON
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Morelia viridis
HOUSE NAME: "Emmy"
HABITAT: Forests of New Guinea and surrounding islands. Small population in Australia.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT:
One of the most interesting characteristics of the green tree python is that when the young hatch, they look significantly different from the adults, ranging from yellow to red in appearance (ontogenetic coloration). They usually turn to the typical green color of the adults when they are between 6-12 months and this color change does not correspond to shedding of the skin.
DIET:
Juvenile pythons will eat mostly small skinks and geckos while the adults feed primarily on rodents. Birds do not make up a major part of their diet.
DESCRIPTION:
This snake is one of the easiest pythons to identify due to its brilliant green coloration. Some adults can have a yellow color while the young can vary from yellow to red. Most have scattered white or yellow spots along the back. Adults range from 4.5 – 6 feet long and have smaller scales on their heads. Their teeth are straight and there are thermoreceptors on the upper lip. They also have a prehensile tail that is useful while climbing.