Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)

Green Tree Python Morelia viridis
Name	Green Tree Python
Name Lat.	Morelia viridis
Synonym	Chondropython viridis
Family	Pythons
Family lat.	Pythonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	New Guinea
Habitat	Rainforests
Diet	Small mammals
Humidity	80-100 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, ♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	20-25 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	150-180 cm
Temperature	28-30 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	140 x 90 x 180 cm
US Units
Size	59"-71"
Temperature	82-86 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	55" x 35" x 70"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the tree-dwelling, crepuscular and nocturnal green tree pythons is New Guinea and the offshore islands as well as the Cape York Peninsula in Australia. They live in the dense canopies of rainforests up to heights of 2,000 meters.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

1-2 animals

0,75KL x 0,5KL x 1KL (L x W x H)

Body length (KL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the floor space should be increased by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 140 x W 90 x H 180 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with horizontal climbing branches (e.g. Robinia), branch forks, elevated resting boards and plants (hiding places and visual protection), a moisture-retaining substrate, e.g. bark mulch-soil mixture with peat, foliage and Sphagnum moss as well as a large, easy to clean water basin for drinking and bathing. The entire soil base must be kept moist at all times. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 28-30 °C

Temp. night: 22-25 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 80-100

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal.

Diet

According to their size, they feed on mice, rats, guinea pigs and other rodents, as well as chicks and small pigeons. After acclimation, they often succeed in switching to dead food animals. Juveniles should be offered food every 8-10 days and adults every 14-20 days, with occasional periods of fasting (e.g., skipping a feeding). If the snake is disturbed after feeding, this may result in vomiting of the prey. Generally, it is better to offer several small feeders, rather than one large one. If it does not eat for a long period of time, both the timing and the food should be varied. It is important to fortify the food animals with vitamins and minerals. Since the snake could be injured by live rodents, it should not be left unattended with them.

Reproduction and breeding

Probing by a veterinarian is the only reliable method of sex determination. The female lays 8-25 eggs in a tree cavity and incubates them. The incubation period is 42-56 days at about 30 °C. The young can be fed with nest young mice after the first molt

Life expectancy can be 15-20 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported to the competent authority in writing immediately after the start of keeping. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

They have strongly elongated front teeth and a prehensile tail. The yellow or red to reddish brown young take on the green coloration at the age of 6-10 months. Males are very territorial during the mating season, so only one male should be kept in the terrarium at a time

If the air temperature in the terrarium is lower than the temperature in the water tank, there is a risk of respiratory infection

A resting period of 2-3 months at a temperature reduced by 3-4 °C is recommended. Always have snake hooks, protective gloves and cold water ready when handling.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderung an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF