Green Tree Python

(Morelia viridis)

Green tree pythons have diamond shaped heads with irregular scales and are named for their vibrant green color. They have a white or yellow vertebral stripes and many also have yellow, green or blue spots. Juveniles are born bright yellow, red or red-brown, and do not get their characteristic green color until they are 6 to 12 months old. A prehensile tail helps the green tree python climb and catch prey. These snakes rest coiled up, hanging horizontally on branches. They dangle their tails to lure curious prey, and then hold onto the branch with their tail when they strike.

Green tree pythons are found in New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and the northeast Cape York Peninsula of Australia. They prefer tropical rainforests with thick vegetation and high humidity. They may also inhabit secondary forests and gardens.

Green tree pythons eat mostly small mammals and reptiles. As juveniles, they are diurnal (or active during the day) and hunt smaller animals. As adults, they are nocturnal and hunt larger prey that is more active at night.

Information collected from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/green-tree-python/