Southern Green Python (Morelia viridis)

Reptile · GBIF taxon 5225681

Southern Green Python

Morelia viridis

Also known as Green Tree Python, Chondro

Green tree pythons spend their daylight hours resting in a distinctive saddle coil, draping their loops symmetrically over horizontal tree branches with the head tucked in the center. At night, they become ambush predators, lowering their front quarters in an S-shaped strike posture to snatch passing mammals and reptiles. Juveniles hatch as bright canary yellow or brick red, undergoing a dramatic ontogenetic color shift into vivid emerald green as they mature.

ArborealNocturnalCarnivore

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Licensed reference"Green Tree Python" by MSVG is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Least ConcernConservation status

Key facts

Diet & prey

Melomys
Skinks
Geckos

Predators

Black-headed Python
Rufous Owl
New Guinea Quoll

ThreatsIllegal collection for the international pet trade and local habitat destruction

HabitatsTropical rainforests, vine thickets, and secondary growth forest canopies

Life span15–20 years in the wild (up to 25+ years in captivity)

Size / weightNot available

Classification

FamilyPythonidae
GenusMorelia
SpeciesMorelia viridis

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Non-venomous, but has long, sharp teeth that deliver a painful defensive bite if grasped.
Why it is dangerous: Possesses elongated, curved teeth evolved to pierce feathers and fur, capable of inflicting painful punctures and lacerations.
How to recognize a risky encounter: Look for a bright emerald or lime body perched in balanced loops atop a slender tree limb.
What to do: Do not attempt to touch, capture, or shake branches; keep hands well clear of its strike zone.

Responsible observation

Spotting Perches: Look along horizontal vine tangles and mid-story branches 1 to 4 meters off the ground.
Night Spotlighting: Use a low-intensity red headlamp to locate active hunters after dusk without blinding them.
Give Space: Maintain a buffer of at least a meter to avoid provoking a defensive strike.

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Emerald Kingdom

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