Description
This is a very small species by python standards growing to lengths of 3-5ft with exceptional specimens slightly longer.
There is considerable geographic variation within this species and current research strongly suggests that M viridis likely contains more than one taxon. Genetic analysis clearly demonstrates the existence to two distinct genetic lineage’s (Rawlings Donnellan 2008). These findings split M viridis into two lineage’s, separated by the Central Dividing Range in New 
Guinea. Though both forms are variable the northern form typically exhibits the characteristic blue dorsal stripe and alternating blue triangles along the dorsum. Neonates of this form can be yellow or red. In contrast the southern form which includes Aru and the Australian population, is quite different. Southern M viridis tend to have blue pigment on the flanks and or the rostoral area. These southern animals also typically show some degree of white pigment, usually in the form of single white scales, along the dorsal surface. This population produces only yellow neonates.
There are morphological differences as well in size, head structure and tail length/shape between these two groups.
Habitat
(David Fischer).jpg)
As it's common name implies this is an arboreal species. This species is found primarily in rainforest and forest margins.
Distribution
Morelia viridis is a widely distributed Indo-Australian species. Green tree pythons range over virtually all the forested regions of New Guinea, both the Papua as well as Indonesian portions of the island. In addition to the main population on New Guinea, this species also inhabits a myriad of disjunct insular populations, both in Australia and on the adjacent islands. M viridis populations are known to occur in Aru, Biak, Misool, Salawati, Yapen, Kofiau, Numfor, Normanby and Australia.
The Australian population is confined to a small area of rainforest on the eastern coast of the Cape York Peninsula, centered around Iron Range National Park.
Projects
I am currently working with a small number of animals from Wamena and Biak.
