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General Information About the Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)
Green Tree Pythons (GTPs) are native to New Guinea, Indonesia and the northern tip of Australia. Until 1981, they were brought into this country routinely. A high proportion of these animals were badly stressed in transit and the losses kept the price of the surviving animals fairly high. Most of these animals did not do very well in captivity, as dehydration from the trip caused visceral gout, killing many of the animals within a few months. However, animals that survived this period adjusted well to captivity.
This species is almost totally arboreal, preferring to coil over a tree branch than rest on the ground. Virtually all activities, from food and water acquisition through breeding and probably egg incubation are accomplished in the treetops.
Unlike most other species of snakes, adult GTPs are quite variable in color. They are generally green, as their name implies, but may also be partially yellow, or blue. The blue adults are extremely rare, and quite prized by breeders. Baby GTPs do not look like the adults, but hatch out yellow, red, or chocolate brown. Between six months and a year of age, they change to the adult color. This trasnsition may take place as quickly as a week, especially with the yellow babies, but many take three months or longer to change. The reason for their juvenile color is not known. As there are no venomous snakes in their range with similar colors, it is not likely that the colors are used for protective mimicry. The reason for the juvenile color variation is also not known, as yellow and chocolate babies look virtually identical as adults.
The animals have attained a reputation for being particularly agressive and vicious captives. Though this may be true of wild-caught animals, GTPs adjust quite well to captivity and are usually quite docile unless provoked. (Recently, GTPs have been imported from the island of Biak and, although are spectacular in color (high yellow coloration), are particularly aggressive.) However, their arboreal habits provide birds as a main part of their diet, and the long teeth associated with bird-eating snakes make GTPs bites memorable.
Because of the specialized needs and unique habits of this animal, the Green Tree Python is definitely a species that should be left to experienced hobbyists. But, due to increased success over the past few years, it is felt that the chondropython is not a problem animal to maintain in captivity if its needs are properly addressed. When they were being imported, the animals were brought in by the hundreds, usually arrived in poor condition, and most died in a matter of months. Importation has now been restricted for a number of years (although wild-caught fresh imports are again becoming available). The wild caught animals still in collections are survivors of importation and consequently are the healthiest of specimens and well adjusted to captivity. They have had a number of years to adjust to their environment, have eaten well and are generally in prime condition. It is these wild caught individuals and new generations of captive hatched animals that make up the current collection stock. These animals can be manipulated with less stress and can be maintained far better than a fresh import. These superior animals plus increased correspondence between breeders have helped overcome most of the husbandry problems, making the Green Tree python a spectacular and rewarding collection animal.