Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 29, Number 5;   May, 2002

Green Tree Python

Common Name:

Green Tree Python (Chondro python)

Scientific Name:

Chondropython (Morelia) viridis

Range:

Papua & Irian Jaya, New Guinea, & Cape York Peninsula of Australia

Size:

4 - 6 feet

Age:

maybe >12 years

Active:

nocturnal

Habitat:

highly arboreal, humid rainforest, from sea level to 6000 ft.

Captive:

20 gal. long aquarium (or larger) on end so lots of height, side-tank heating; humid forest terrarium with water for soaking, many horizontal and diagonal branches to coil on. Places to hide both on the ground and perches on branches. Mist animal daily.

Temp.:

gradient of NTL 70°F to DTH 90°F

Foods:

in wild: small mammals and birds
in captivity: mice, rats, chicks; hatchlings may need tease-feeding

Temperament:

can be nippy, some are high strung and irascible, some will tame nicely with regular gentle handling, but be prepared to be bitten if handling hatchlings with bare hands

Notes:

require high humidity and misting so [they] will drink
typically rests coiled on branch like cinnamon bun
spine easily damaged if removed from branch roughly
hatchlings can be problem feeders
hatchlings start out either bright yellow or brick red
color change can occur within few weeks once started
not a beginner's snake

References:

Bartlett, P.P., Griswold DVM, B. and Bartlett, R.D. 2001 Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates, an identification and care guide. Barren's Educational Series, Hauppauge, NY. 279pp.
Bartlett, Patricia and Wagner, Ernie. (1997) Pythons. Barren's Educational Series, Inc. Hauppauge, NY. 97pp.
Cogger, Harold. (2000) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 6th ed. Ralph Curtis Books, Sanibel Island, Florida. 808pp.
Mehrtens, John M. (1987) Living Snakes of the World. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York.
Ross, M.D., Richard and Marzec, Gerald. (1990) The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. Institute for Herpetological Research, P.O. Box 2227, Stanford, CA 94305.