Editing Green tree python (section)

==Biology==
===Behaviour===
Primarily [[Arboreal locomotion|arboreal]], ''M. viridis'' has a particular way of resting in the branches of trees; it loops a coil or two over the branches in a [[saddle]] position and places its head in the middle of its loops.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://exoticaanimals.ru/reptilii/zmei/zelenyj-drevesnyj-piton/ |title=Зеленый древесный питон- купить зеленого питона в |website=Exotic Animals |access-date=2015-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119115459/http://exoticaanimals.ru/reptilii/zmei/zelenyj-drevesnyj-piton/ |archive-date=2015-11-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This trait is shared with the [[emerald tree boa]] (''Corallus caninus'') of South America. This habit, along with their similar appearance, has caused people to confuse the two species when they are seen outside their natural habitat.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024|reason=A popular article showcasing the confusion between the two taxa would be useful}}

===Diet===
The diet of green tree pythons consists mostly of small mammals, such as [[murid rodents]] (''[[Melomys capensis]]'', ''[[Melomys cervinipes|M. cervinipes]]'', ''[[Mus domesticus]]'', ''[[Rattus leucopus]]'', other ''[[Rattus]] spp.''), and sometimes reptiles, such as [[gecko]]s and [[skink]]s (''[[Carlia longipes]]''), and [[invertebrate]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Shine|first1=Richard|author-link=Richard Shine|first2=David J.|last2=Slip|title=Biological aspects of the adaptive radiation of Australasian pythons (Serpentes: Boidae)|journal=Herpetologica|year=1990|volume=46|pages=283–290|url=http://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu3/shine1990.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''Morelia viridis'' (Green tree python)|date= n.d.|website= Animal Diversity Web |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Morelia_viridis/}}</ref> This snake, like the emerald tree boa, was previously thought to eat [[bird]]s; however, [[Karl-Heinz Switak|Switak]] conducted [[field work]] on this issue. In examining stomach contents of more than 1,000 animals, he did not find any evidence of avian prey.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024|reason=Switak's paper for confirmation}} Prey is captured by holding onto a branch using the [[prehensile]] tail and striking out from an S-shaped position and [[Constriction|constricting]] the prey. Wild specimens have also been observed and photographed wrapped around the base of small tree trunks facing down in an ambush position, presumably waiting for ground mammals to prey upon.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

===Reproduction===
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| image2            = Green Tree Python juvenile A22I6572.jpg
| footer            = Color variation in neonates
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''M. viridis'' is [[oviparous]], laying one to 25 viable eggs per [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]]. Breeding has never been reported from the wild, but in captivity, eggs are [[Egg incubation|incubated]] and protected by the female. Hatchlings are lemon-yellow with broken stripes and spots of purple and brown; or golden- or orange-red. For yellow individuals at [[Iron Range National Park]], Australia, the color change occurred over 5–10 days when individuals were {{cvt|58|–|60|cm|in|round=0.5}} long, which corresponds to about a year old. Color change for red juveniles has not been observed in the wild.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

=== Lifespan ===
Information on actual ages in the wild is limited for ''Morelia viridis''. However, a population at Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula, Australia had an average age of 3.4 years. It is predicted that these pythons could live for at least 15 years, with a maximum age of 19. Green tree pythons in captivity have lived only slightly longer with the record age set at 20 years old.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wilson |first=D. |last2=Heinsohn |first2=R. |last3=Wood |first3=J. |date=2006-07-26 |title=Life‐history traits and ontogenetic colour change in an arboreal tropical python, <i>Morelia viridis</i> |url=https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00190.x |journal=Journal of Zoology |volume=270 |issue=3 |pages=399–407 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00190.x |issn=0952-8369|url-access=subscription }}</ref>