GREEN TREE PYTHON

MORELIA VIRIDIS

The Brandywine Zoo has one Green Tree Python. Verdi came from Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, an AZA facility in Central Pennsylvania. He was hatched on August 3, 2014.

THREATS & CONSERVATION

This is one of the most common python species in the international pet trade, and is often taken from the wild. The natural color morphs and need for fresh blood lines have resulted in the constant capture of wild specimens for the pet trade. Indigenous people in New Guinea also hunt this species for food.

Fun Facts

Green tree pythons have thermoreceptive (heat-sensing) pits on the labial scales of their upper lip. These pits allow them to sense the body heat of their prey.

Juveniles may be either bright yellow or brick-red. This coloring gradually changes to brilliant emerald green as they mature.

This species is a nonvenomous ambush predator. They hunt primarily by hanging near the ground, heads angled downward to ambush passing rodents.

Green Tree Python