The distinguishing feature of ETB’s markings is the large white patches/stripes of white that are seen down their spine. It is important to note that both of these species come in a huge variance of colours and patterns, which can often make it difficult to identify them from their body markings alone.Įmerald Tree Boas come in a large variance of the colour green, from light apple all the way through to virtually black (And they even display black in melanistic lines). Green Tree Pythons do not have the second row of heat pits above their mouth. Green Tree Pythons have a more rounded nose with softer edges and much finer scales.Įmerald Tree Boas have a squarer shape to their nose and sharper angles to their head with much larger scales.Įmerald Tree Boas also have an additional row of heat pits running above their mouth. Visually, GTP’s and ETB’s can appear very similar but with a bit of experience they become very easy to distinguish.
This is how animals from South America (Emerald Tree Boas) and Australia/Indonesian/Papua New Guinea (Green Tree Pythons) came to look so alike. They also both have long, fine teeth that are designed to pierce and hold feather matter or mammal tissue tightly. For example, both snakes are green and perch in the same manner as they both have developed specific traits and behaviours suitable for living high in the forest canopy. Convergent evolution is when two unrelated species develop traits that are alike or almost identical due to similar environmental pressures.
These two species are a very good example of convergent evolution. They are two snakes that appear very similar but are in fact two very distinct and unique animals. Green Tree Pythons and Emerald Tree Boas are confused very frequently both by members of the public and in the reptile community. I would like to preface this by saying I have thrown it together at work.
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