Fig 1
Fig 2
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Family : PYTHONIDAE
Species : Morelia viridis
Maximum Size : 1.5 m
Morelia viridis (Green Tree Python) is one of Papua
New Guinea's most well known snake species. It occurs a variety of habitats
including dry forest, swamp forest and cultivated areas.
The adult is unmistakable: the dorsal surface is bright green, or sometimes
bluish, and the ventral surface pale yellow or white. A pale vertebral
stripe is generally seen. Juveniles are mostly bright yellow throughout, but
in some areas may be dorsally red, orange or green.
The body is muscular, and the head is short. The eyes are large with a
vertical pupil, and the heat-sensing pits, with which the snake is able to
detect infra-red heat from warm-blooded prey, are easily visible on the
lower lip.
As in other pythons, the head scales are numerous and finely granular.
Morelia viridis is not exclusively a tree-dweller, but will come to ground
if needed, however they prefer to rest amongst trees by day.
Their diet is varied and includes lizards and small mammals.
This species is widely distributed in PNG, occurring at elevations of up to
2000 metres. Its range also extends into the western half of the island of
New Guinea, nearby Indonesian islands, and parts of Australia's Cape York
Peninsula.
Fig 1 : This 1.2 metre specimen was found at night in the middle of a rough
track, adjacent to freshwater swamp forest next to Lake Kutubu (elevation
835 metres), Southern Highlands Province, PNG.
Fig 2 : Note the heat-sensing
pits lining the lower lip.
Fig 3 : Juvenile from Alotau, Milne Bay Province, PNG.
Photo thanks to Nicolai Glaese.
References :
O'Shea, M., 1996. A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea. Independent
Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
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