Merauke-type Morelia viridis

[Nightflight99]

This is one of my favorite tree pythons in my collection. It is a Merauke-type male that I acquired about nine years ago from an Indonesian exporter. Merauke is a coastal town in the Papuan province of Indonesia, and the tree pythons there thus fall into the southern lineage (sensu Rawlings & Donnellan 2003), which is separated from the northern lineage (Morelia azurea) by the central cordillera.

This might sound crazy to some, but I would take a locality specimen like this one, which adequately represents its wild counterparts over any fancy pedigree or morph any day.

[dannybgoode]

This might sound crazy to some, but I would take a locality specimen like this one, which adequately represents its wild counterparts over any fancy pedigree or morph any day.

Not to me. You know from my boa post I think nature beauty just fine on its own.

Some of the subtle morphs I find quite pretty but the extreme stuff just doesn't do it for me. I just don't get it I'm afraid.

Of course the great thing about liking the 'normals' is the price. My boa cost me £35 (about $50)...

Oh and that is a stunning snake. If I can get the idea of a second snake by Mrs Danny a GTP is right at the top of the list.

[Nightflight99]

If I can get the idea of a second snake by Mrs Danny a GTP is right at the top of the list.
Having a single snake is like having one motorcycle--it may be possible in theory, but over the time the force may prove to be just too strong...:D

[dannybgoode]

I'm a ham operator at also and it's the same with radios. They just seem to multiply!

Have to keep my wife happy though and she isn't particularly keen on me even having the one.

I'll wear her down over time...

[Nightflight99]

I'll wear her down over time...
LOL! The trick is to have several snakes, without her ever knowing exactly how many. Then all there is left to do is to schedule the arrival of new shipments strategically...

PS: I was married once...:rolleyes:

[Minkness]

Um...yeah....I was supposed to only have 1..... waiting on the 9th to arrive in a few months now lol.

[EL Ziggy]

Beautiful GTP! Is it true they don't tolerate handling or husbandry errors well?

[dannybgoode]

The big issue with handling is the fact the bones in the tail in particular are ratcheted - this aids in them using the tail to grip branches etc when dangling to eat or drink.

These bones are easily damaged so say a GTP has its tail wrapped around your finger, if you try to unwind like you would say a BCI, journal python etc and even if you think you're being really gentle, you may be causing substantial damage to the bone structure.

Plus they don't really like being handled and there isn't a need to. The majority of viv maintenance can be carried out with the snake in situ.

If you do need to take them out the best way is to have removable branches so you can just lift the branch out with the snake on it...

[Nightflight99]

Is it true they don't tolerate handling or husbandry errors well?
Much of that stems from the earlier days, when tree pythons were not as common in the trade, and many of the available specimens were imported. If you read herpetoculture books or magazine articles from the 80s and early 90s, you'll find that they were regarded as very sensitive and finicky, and thus only suitable for veteran keepers. This is pretty far from the case today, as we have access to tons of captive-bred specimens that are quite hardy. That said, they're definitely a bit more challenging than say, your average boa or ball python. However, if the keeper is determined, dedicated, and pays attention to detail, it wouldn't be impossible to keep them as a first-snake, even though there are certainly easier choices.

[psychocircus]

gorgeous snake! I agree with you about natural pure localities. That being said, mite phase green tree pythons can be pretty breath taking.

[IW17]

Beautiful gtp. These are a one day snake for me. It's between these and an etb.

[BagnaraSnakes16]

I agree. There is nothing more beautiful than a bright green Aru with beautiful white Speckle

[zappaguy]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/erichasler/IMGP5784.jpg (http://s44.photobucket.com/user/erichasler/media/IMGP5784.jpg.html)

I also agree

ps: cbb by me.

[Oleman]

I would agree 100%. wild representations draw me closer than designer morphs for sure.
That specimen is georgous!