Wamena Green Tree Python

The Wamena green tree python comes from the Baliem Valley in the central highlands of Papua, near the town of Wamena, at a notably higher elevation than most Morelia viridis populations. Because this locality tolerates cooler montane conditions, it is of particular interest to researchers studying the species' ecological range.

Despite the unusual highland habitat, it remains taxonomically the same species as lowland green tree pythons, exhibiting the same dramatic juvenile color change and arboreal lifestyle.

• Green adult coloration, sometimes described as slightly duller or more subdued than lowland localities
• Faint pale vertebral stripe
• Robust, triangular head with heat-sensing labial pits
• Vertical pupils
• Prehensile tail
• Juveniles hatch yellow or red before changing to green

Found in montane forest of the Baliem Valley highlands near Wamena, at notably higher elevations than typical for the species, within cooler, misty cloud-forest-influenced habitat.

Nocturnal and arboreal, resting coiled on branches by day. Hunts small mammals, birds, and lizards at night using ambush and constriction. Highland conditions may result in a somewhat reduced activity period compared to lowland populations. Oviparous, with maternal coiling around eggs during incubation.