Data sheet tree python
Latin name:
Morelia viridis
Origin:
New Guinea, Indonesia, Northern Australia
Size:
150 to 200 cm
Behave
Behave:
diurnal and nocturnal; prefers to stay in tall trees
Lining:
lizards, birds, insects, mice, rats
Groups vs. individual housing:
single keeping
Life expectancy:
15 to 20 years
Difficulty level:
Not suitable for beginners Holger Krisp, Morelia viridis tree python, CC BY 3.0
According to its name, the tree python is a snake that mostly lives in trees. It belongs to the genus of diamond pythons.
are tree pythons non-toxic, have a striking green coloration and a long, slender body. The head of the tree python is much larger than the rest of the body, which ends with a pronounced tail.
The head impresses with its curved shape, while the snout of the python is relatively large and angular.
Dimensions of the Python
The tree python has a recognizable spine that varies in shape depending on the size of the animal.
The length of the python depends on region of origin and gender, with female specimens being larger than males. The weight of the snake fluctuates accordingly.
How loot is made
The diet of the tree python consists of small mammals as well as birds and insects. They are hunted both during the day and at night.
Young animals tend to be active during the day, while adult specimens prefer to extend their hunting activity to the night. booty will be both at dizzy heightswhere the pangolins prefer to stay, like on the ground made.
The tree python lies in wait for the announced prey animal motionless until a suitable moment and a suitable distance are given. As soon as the prey is closer than 40 centimeters to the snake, it is attacked.
Site-loyal snake
The tree python possesses a territorial behaviorwhich means that it will hunt in a given area as long as it can find food there.
If you cut off her supplies, she moves her activities to another area. Experts speak of “location loyalty” in this context.
acquisition and maintenance
Snakes of the tree python genus may be kept in Germany without a special permit. However, they are vis-à-vis the respective state authority notifiable.
Import and export of the tree python are subject to approval. The seller/breeder is obliged to issue a certificate of origin. Further regulations differ from state to state.
The acquisition costs in the case of a tree python are between a three-digit and a four-digit amount.
Better alone than in twos
are tree pythons loner and should only be held in pairs in exceptional cases. They sometimes react irritably and distantly towards conspecifics.
Envy of food can also be an issue. In any case, the terrarium should be large enough for double housing so that the animals can avoid each other.
A male and a female naturally behave more harmoniously with each other than two males or two females.
Terrarium requirements
The tree python should be kept in captivity in a terrarium. This must be of an appropriate height, as the animals prefer to be in trees in the wild.
However, the terrarium should not exceed a height of 2 meters. It may measure around one meter lengthwise, while the width must be around 60 centimeters.
Terrariums that are too large can cause problems, as there is often a temperature gradient in them, which does not suit the snake. She likes it consistently warm and humid (30 degrees, high humidity).
The terrarium must have quiet zones such as branches, plants and lianas. In addition, a watery retreat is not a disadvantage. The bottom of the terrarium should consist of soil.
gender differences
Usually are female tree pythons larger than their male counterparts. The male reaches a length between 1.50 and 1.80 meters. The female can reach up to 2 meters.
Accordingly, the weight of the female specimen ranks above that of the male. After feeding, the female weighs around 2 kilograms, while the male weighs a maximum of 1.4 kilograms.
Single mothers
Tree pythons lay eggs. They reach sexual maturity after three years at the latest. After mating with one or more male specimens, the female animal withdraws and stops feeding.
The search for a place to lay the eggs usually ends in caves or in the structure of other breeding grounds that offer protection. The Gestation period is 80 daysafter which the female between 10 and 30 eggs discards.
The male is neither involved in the gestation phase nor in the subsequent brood care.
feed and nutrition
The Eating at different times of the day and night, depending on the age structure of the animal. Young specimens prefer to hunt in daylight, adult pythons tend to hunt at dusk or at night.
The diet is usually mammalian, eating anything from small mice to adult rats that doesn’t flee in time.
In isolated cases, the tree python succeeds in killing a bird or a butterfly. Lizards and other reptiles are also on the python’s menu.
acclimatization and handling
The acclimatization phase is subject to fluctuations over time and varies from snake species to snake species. It may be that the tree python needs 2 weeks to acclimatize in their new environment.
The process can also take 4 weeks. The range of motion of the animal increases with growing acclimatization.
Moonlight lamp helps
In order to shorten or facilitate the acclimatization phase, the owner should install a moonlight lamp in the terrarium.
The bluish light imitates the lighting in nature and reminds the snake of its natural habitat. In this context, it makes sense to use a Led lamp. It saves energy and does not heat up the terrarium unnecessarily.