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 Green Tree Pythons
Scientific
Name: Morelia
viridis ( formerly Chondropython
viridis )
Commone Names: GTP, Chondro, Green
Tree Python
The Green Tree Python
is a very beautiful, small, arboreal, nocturnal
python from the rain forests of New Guinea
and some of the surrounding islands that are
part of Indonesia. It is also found on the
Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia.
The habitat of the GTP is wild, remote, diverse,
and gorgeous, with varied terrain and landscape.
The most intrigueing aspect
of keeping a green tree python is undoubtedly
their ontogenetic color change. Usually born
yellow or maroon,
at about one year old, green tree pythons gradually change
to their adult coloration. One of our favorite
things about GTP's is that they
are just like snowflakes, every one looks
a bit different.
The taxonomy of the GTP
is rather interesting, they have not always
belonged to the genus Morelia. For years
they were known as the Chondropython,and
many still refer to them by the name “chondros” and
always will. In 1872, Schlegel placed these
snakes in their own genus (Chondropython)
based on the mistaken belief that they lacked
pre-maxillary teeth. McDowell questioned the
validity of
Chondropython in 1975, and in 1994,
a paper written by Arnold Kluge finally sealed
the fate of the old name. Chondropython was
eliminated and the snakes were reassigned to
the genus
Morelia to reflect a close relationship
with that group of pythons, of which the Carpet
Python (Morelia spilota) is probably
the best known. Raymond Hoser has referred
to GTP's as Morelia spilota
viridis to clarify
the extremely close relationship with carpet
pythons. These animals interbreed – the
resulting creature is being referred to as
a Carpondro (carpet + chondro) – and
just last year they were shown to be fertile
animals (not mules), which is likely to have
further impacts on the taxonomy.
Owning a Green Tree Python is
just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to
fascination. The longer we spend time with
these magnificent animals, the more fascinated
we become - and we know you will too!
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