GREEN PYTHON Chondropython viridis (Schlegel, 1872)
This snake attains 2 m. Common in New Guinea, it is also found in the Black Mountain area of far north Queensland, where it only occurs in very moist forest habitats. In Australia this snake is not common. Although adults are usually bright emerald green, some greeny-blue or blue specimens are known. The adults that become bluish in colour, change to this colour from the 'usual' green form. Juveniles are either yellow or red in colour (red is dominant in heterozygous individuals). Colour change from red or yellow in juveniles to the adult green is both age and size related. The change takes place at between six months and three years of age, when the snakes are around 60 cm in length.
The scalation is smooth with 50-75 mid-body rows, 225-260 ventrals, single anal and 90-110 single subcaudals.
This snake is arboreal, and by day may be found resting on tree branches, in hollows, etc. It feeds mainly on birds but will also eat other animals. This snake adopts an unusual resting position in horizontal tree branches. It will coil into a series of folded loops, which are neatly proportioned so that the head is always resting in the centre. Only a similar South American boa is known to do this too.
Juveniles are known to use their tail as a lure to attract prey.
Some males of this species are known to have enlarged pelvic spurs, up to 3 cm long. These are used to hold the female's tail region in place and provide added stimulation when copulating.
This python lays about ten to sixteen eggs which hatch about fifty days later when incubated at 27 degrees celsius.