The topic of US designer Chondros is so extensive that many articles will appear in the coming months.

A central element will be the Morelia viridis breeders of the last 40 years as well as some of the most spectacular lines that have emerged with the enthusiasm of these people.

Lines that have also found their way into Europe and Germany and have been and continue to be promoted by well-known breeders.

Before the first part of this series begins, we would like to thank those people and institutions without whose support and permission this series would not have been possible.

Herpetoculture Magazin: https://herpetoculturenetwork.com/

If you are interested in buying: https://www.magcloud.com/brose/issue/1850727

The Herpetoculture Network: https://www.facebook.com/theherpetoculturenetwork/

Creating Mr. Blue A (Not So) Short History

Ich möchte Tim sehr herzlich bedanken für die bereitgestellten Bilder und die Erlaubnis zur Veröffentlichung.

Mid-Atlantic Arboreals: https://www.facebook.com/midatlanticarboreals/

Vibrant Viridis, LLC: https://www.vibrantviridis.com/

Nowadays, obtaining food for Morelia viridis has become uncomplicated - ever since specialist retailers started offering frozen rodents.

We would therefore like to thank those breeders who breed the rodents that are professionally euthanised, packaged frozen and offered for sale.

The frozen rats and mice can be thawed using various methods.

This gives you the option of defrosting the rodents in the fridge throughout the day.

Anyone caring for the green tree python Morelia viridis should familiarise themselves with the subject of constipation.

The term constipation is misleading, as it is the urinate that blocks the exit of the cloaca.

Urinate or urate is the salt of uric acid, which is formed at high concentrations of uric acid from a pH value < 5.5.

It is useful to know that the urine of a snake cannot be compared with that of a mammal.

IrCa-17 for sale

This yellow neonate from July 2023 is for sale.

This Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) has been tested for Nidovirus and endoparasites.

More information or questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or after registration.

All reptiles have a common body outlet for digestive, sexual and excretory organs, which is called the cloaca.

The cloaca is divided into three parts.

The coprodaeum is the end of the digestive tract.

It collects the products from the intestines.

This is followed by the urodaeum which collects the contents of the excretory ducts of the urogenital tract.

The proctodaeum is in front of the cloacal opening.

It contains the products from the intestines, urinary tract and sexual tract.

Ferlaviruses (Paramyxoviridae)

The group of paramyxoviruses belong to those viruses that are pathogenic for reptiles, with a few exceptions.

The paramyxoviruses found in reptiles belong to the genus Ferlavirus.

These pathogens play the most clinically relevant role in snakes, where the disease often takes an epidemic-like but ultimately fatal course.

Little is known about how ferlaviruses are transmitted.

Arenaviruses – Inclusion Body Disease

The arenaviruses found in reptiles belong to 2 genera: 

• Reptarenavirus
• Hartmanivirus.

Reptarenaviruses cause inclusion body disease in boas and pythons.

("Inclusion Body Disease" abbreviated: IBD).

Better known to many as snake AIDS.

Initially, it was mainly boas that were affected by this disease, but the virus is increasingly also being detected in pythons.

Retroviruses belong to the family of RNA viruses, which incorporate themselves into the genetic material of the cell and thus prevent them from being recognized by the immune system.

Reptarenaviruses can be detected by PCR.

IBD is a disease that produces small particles inside various cells, which partially or completely inhibit the function of the cell.

In the brain, the conduction of impulses is particularly affected.

The new scourge of the Green Tree Python: the Morelia viridis Nidovirus (MVNV)

It is always surprising that the seller waives a veterinary examination, with the argument to get the animal at a discount.

In doing so, he releases the buyer from the obligation to sell a verifiably healthy animal and takes the risk of infecting his stock.

The nidovirus may no longer be a central issue, but it still exists and is killing entire snake populations.

In 2014, an article caused a stir when the research group led by Joseph DeRisia (2014), from the University of California at San Francisco, discovered a virus that caused life-threatening respiratory disease in king pythons.

Nidovirus detection and transmission routes:

When detecting Nidovirus, a distinction must be made between sick and healthy animals.

Animals suffering from Nidovirus show secretions of ochre-coloured mucus from the mouth and nose.

This mucus not only looks disgusting, but also smells unpleasant due to high levels of bacteria.

The snakes lie apathetically on the ground, gasping for air and wasting away.

The Nidovirus test is positive:

Such a result raises numerous questions.

Not to mention the initial shock that seems to paralyze you for a short time.

The first thing to do is to repeat the test with a different provider.

While waiting for the second result, thoughts often revolve around the topic: "Where could the animal have been infected?"

The Nidovirus: bibliography

Here you will find a list of literature that I have used to research the topic of nidovirus.

If there is further literature that is not listed here but is useful, I would be pleased to be informed about it.

They are here - my IrCa neonates

The first neonates of the 2023 season saw the light of day in July.

Cassiopea laid 21 eggs on 28.05.2023, from which twenty adorable neonates hatched in the time from 19. July to 21. July.

The parents are half siblings.

All neonates are healthy and physically perfect.

In the following weeks the little ones will be presented on the homepage and their development will be documented.

If you want to follow their development, please register.

A reservation of the neonates can be made at any time by e-mail - even without registration.

The reservation is currently without obligation since the prices are not yet fixed.

I will set the prices in mid-October and communicate them to the interested parties.

Included in the price is an examination for the nidovirus (RT-PCR), endoparasites (fecal sample), the motor function as well as an impeccable physique.

The sample for nidovirus is taken by an expert veterinarian.

A veterinary report confirms the examination performed.

A molecular biological examination for

Adenovirus (PCR)

Rept Arenavirus (RT-PCR)

Ophidian Paramyxovirus (RT-PCR)

Reovirus (RT-PCR)

can be done but will be charged separately.

A sale to interested parties from Switzerland is only possible in case of self-collection.

Further details can be found in the conditions of sale.

On the color development of Ice Eye (IrTw_2022-06_JoF-013)

Ice Eye (IrTw-013) sliced its egg as a latecomer on June 30, 2022.

The parents are Iron Man and Twister.

The parents are half-siblings.

The father is identical, but the mothers are of different origin.

Ice Eye is consequently a mix of Americano and green beauty mixed with the genes of Würmli, a lady of the Sorong type.

On the color development of Sunflower (RaCa_2022-05_JoF-03)

On the color development of Sunflower (RaCa_2022-05_JoF-03)

Sunflower (RaCa-03) peeled out of her egg on May 12, 2022.

The surprise was great when a small, exhausted neonate with yellow body color stuck its little head out of the egg.

The parents Raptor and Cassiopea were red as neonates.

Im Portrait: Ice Eye (IrTw_2022-06_JoF-13)

Color Development of Dark Angel (IrTw_2022-06_JoF-04)

Dark Angel (IrTw-04) cut her egg on June 27, 2022, as the fourth hatchling.

Her parents are Iron Man and Twister.

The parents are half-siblings.

The father is identical, but the mothers are of different origins.

Dark Angel is a mix of Americano and Green Beauty as well as Würmli.

The right spray

There are two ways to provide a tropical terrarium with sufficient moisture.

The spray bottle and the sprinkler system.

My terrariums are supplied with osmosis water twice a day by a sprinkler system.

I used the technology sold by Micro Rain Systems (https://www.mrs-shop.com/).

The right humidity

In addition to the temperature, the relative humidity is an essential parameter for the Green Tree Python.

Relative humidity is a measure of what percentage of maximum humidity is in the air.

The water, which is in the gaseous state, is designated as humidity.

The humidity correlates directly with the amount of precipitation.

Correct humidity reduces in Morelia viridis respiratory diseases and minimizes molting problems.

Color development of Elli RaCa-07

Elli is a scion of the RaCa clutch

Elli left her egg on May 13th, 2022.

As descendants of the parents Raptor and Cassiopea, the numerous ochre spots are particularly noticeable.

She is the one with the most spots by far.

Weighing 11g at birth, she was a normal weight neonate.

Color Development of Twister AmGr-19

Twister cut her egg membrane on December 25th, 2018.

She is also an offspring of Americano x Green Beauty.

A mix of an US designer with a long bloodline of different designer chondros and a Morelia viridis belonging to the Jayapura type.

Color Development of Iron Man AmWu-04

Iron Man fought his way out of his egg on November 8th, 2018.

His parents are Americano x Würmli.

A mix of a US designer with a bloodline that can be traced back to 1982.

Some of his ancestors lived here in the Dallas Zoo.

His mother belongs to a Morelia viridis bloodline, which is attributed to the Sorong type.

Hannibal a color gem

by Stefan S. from Linz District Freistadt / Austria

In December 2018, 21 neonates saw the light of day from the mating Americano x Green Beauty.

Green Beauty laid 24 eggs. A tremendous yield.

Hannibal hatched from this clutch on December 25th, 2018.

The Snake copulation - the first of four steps to fertilized eggs.

The snake copulation (in German it calls Schlangenknoten) is the act of reproduction in snakes.

The term Schlangenknoten comes from the fact that the two sexes wrap their tails around each other like a knot.

This structure is like the paracord lanyard snake knot.

The mating behavior is initiated by the male animal.

Sunrise from the mating Raptor x Cassiopea 2022

Today more than half a year has passed since Sunrise left the egg. At that time, we were not badly surprised when the yellow head peeked out of the egg.

Surprised because it wasn't supposed to be.

Female with striking color composition

Black Pearl was born on November 08, 2018. She has been one of three neonates to reach adulthood.

Her brother Iron Man also descends from this clutch.

When the Neonate doesn't want to eat the mouse

I'm genuinely happy for anyone whose Neonates devour the mouse on the first feed.

However, it happens that not every Neonate eats the food animal presented. He drops it or throws it around the terrarium in a bad mood.

A Neonate is fed for the first time

It is an indescribable feeling of happiness when after 50 days the first tip of the nose opens the eggshell.

10 days have passed since this event.

From this time on, the body color begins to appear milky.

Designer offsetting 2022 and mating's 2023

The year 2023:

The offspring of Morelia viridis (Green Tree Python) that were up for sale in 2022 all have a new owner.

There are currently 6 holdbacks that are not yet available for delivery but will be getting a new keeper.

High or longitudinal terrarium

What is better for a green tree python: an high or a longitudinal terrarium?

A high terrarium can be heated from the ceiling with a heat panel, which can reach temperatures however of up to 80 °C depending on the size. In all the years of care, my Morelia viridis have not suffered any burns.

The size of a terrarium

A Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) yearling measures about 60 cm.

An adult female measures 130 cm or more, depending on the type.

This means that we can offer both snakes accommodation in terrariums of different sizes, whereby the yearling could of course move into the terrarium size of the female animal. 

When molting problems and constipation are tormenting

If the neonates are transferred to a larger terrarium, the external conditions may change. The new terrarium is larger, the humidity is less and that's it: moulting problems and possibly a blockage. the following film shows what can be done about it.

The molt - explained to Twister 

During the days of preparing to molt, snakes go through some distinct phases. The skin becomes milky white, the head looks plump and misshapen.

The film shows the different phases:

Molting - essential in the life of the Green Tree Python

Like all reptiles, the Green Tree Python is forced to shed its skin from time to time. The hormonally controlled molting takes place because the skin of a snake does not grow with it.

The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Appendix 2

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), known in German as the Washington Species Protection Convention (WA), has existed since 1973. It was discontinued because of the dramatic decline many species closed by poaching and trade. 

Fascinating Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)

Anyone who deals with the biology of snakes quickly recognizes that prejudice and ignorance are the main drivers of ant sympathy.

And it was exactly these prejudices more than 10 years ago that made me interested in these creatures.

For color development of Sunrise RaCa-04

Sunrise hatched in May 2022.

She was a yellow, strong neonate that actually wasn't allowed to be yellow because both parents were red.

Initially somewhat hesitant in eating, the little neonate quickly developed into an extremely large and strong neonate.

The color change began at the end of November.

A series of photos shows the previous color change.

Color development of Doodle IrTw-04

Doodle was born on June 30th, 2022. His parents are Iron Man and Twister.

Relatives are half-siblings.

While Americano is the father of both Morelia viridis, Iron Man's mother is a Sorong lady named Würmli.

Color development of Pumpkin RaCa-02

Pumkin hatched from the egg on May 12, 2022.

He comes from the sibling combination of Raptor and Cassiopea.

Both parents came from the mating of Americano, a US designer, and Green Beauty, a Jayapura female.

On the color development of Cassiopea AmGr-021

Cassiopea hatched on December 25, 2019.

She is an offspring of Americano and Green Beauty.

Both parents have sadly passed away.

While Americano succumbed to cancer, Green Beauty was to suffer an intestinal prolapse near the end of her second pregnancy.

Only euthanasia remained.

The little Cassiopea weighed 10 g after hatching.

On the color development of Raptor AmGr-020

Raptor wriggled out of his egg on December 25, 2018.

An offspring from the mating Americano x Green Beauty.

This makes him a mixture of a US designer who combines a long bloodline of the most diverse designer Chondros in his genetic makeup and a Morelia viridis that originates from the Jayapura type.

Male with Versace roots

Cartier, whose breeder name is KS19.09, comes from the mating of Kiko x Odda. While Odda emerged from a mating of a male Aru and female Sorong, Kiko comes from an old breeding line that originated in the USA. The breeder from KS19.09 are Svenja and Benjamin.