Green Tree Python Care: Essential Tips for Beginners
Thinking about getting a Green Tree Python? These snakes are absolutely stunning — their vibrant colors and elegant coils on branches make them look like living art. But they’re not your average beginner snake. With the right setup and care, though, they can thrive — even if it’s your first time owning a snake.
We’ve cared for snakes like these, and here’s what we’ve learned (the hard way and the easy way) about what it really takes to keep a Green Tree Python happy and healthy.
What Makes Green Tree Pythons Unique
Green Tree Pythons are arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes native to rainforests in New Guinea, parts of Australia, and nearby islands. They’re nocturnal, meaning they’re most active at night, and they’re beautifully slender, usually growing to about 4–6 feet long.
Despite the name, they’re not always green — you’ll see variations with yellow, blue, and even white markings depending on their locality and genetics.
A few things to know right off the bat:
- They’re climbers. You’ll always find them wrapped around a perch or branch — it’s their comfort zone.
- They don’t hibernate, but they might slow down in winter.
- Shedding can be tricky. Keep humidity up and give them textured surfaces to rub against — but never help peel their skin. That can cause injury.
- Get captive-bred only. Wild-caught snakes are often aggressive and harder to handle. Captive-bred pythons are far more suitable for life in a terrarium.
- Personalities vary. Some localities (like Biak) tend to be more defensive. Not every Green Tree Python is the same.
Setting Up Their Home — What You’ll Need
This is where things get real. A proper setup is everything with these guys. If you nail the environment, you’re already halfway to success.
1. A Vertical Terrarium
Go tall, not just wide. These snakes like to climb. For an adult, aim for at least 36” x 18” x 36”. Glass enclosures with front-access doors are ideal — top access can stress them out.
2. Branches and Climbing Structures
Give them plenty of perches. Real or artificial branches work, just make sure they’re secure. These snakes spend most of their time off the ground.
3. Heat and Light
Keep the enclosure around 82–84°F during the day, with a basking spot reaching 90°F. At night, don’t let it drop below 74°F. Use a basking lamp and/or ceramic heater. And use two thermometers — one on the warm side, one on the cool side — to monitor temps accurately.
4. Humidity Control
Humidity should stay between 40% and 70%. Too low and they’ll struggle to shed; too high for too long and you risk respiratory issues. A misting system or regular hand-misting works well. A hygrometer is a must.
Bonus tip: add a humidity box — a hide with moist moss or substrate — so your snake can self-regulate when needed.
5. Substrate
Newspaper is fine if you’re going simple, but we prefer dampened mulch or coconut husk for aesthetics and humidity control. Avoid anything that can cause impaction if ingested.
6. Big Water Bowl
They don’t just drink — they soak. Get a bowl big enough for them to curl up in, and change the water daily (yes, daily — they’ll often relieve themselves in it).
7. Secure the Enclosure
These snakes are escape artists. Make sure the lid or doors lock securely.
Feeding Your Green Tree Python
Stick with frozen-thawed rodents or chicks. It’s safer and more humane than live feeding. Live prey can injure your snake or make it more aggressive toward movement — including your hand.
Feed appropriately-sized prey — no bigger than the thickest part of the snake’s body. Youngsters usually eat every 4–5 days, while adults go 7–10 days between meals.
Pro tip: feeding at night mimics their natural behavior and often leads to better feeding responses.
Handling and Temperament
Green Tree Pythons aren’t cuddly. They’re more of a “look, don’t touch” kind of pet, especially when young. With patience and proper handling tools (like a snake hook), they can become more tolerant over time.
Always approach slowly and from the side — never from above. That’s predator behavior to them.
Final Thoughts
Green Tree Pythons aren’t particularly difficult, but they are particular. If you’re willing to invest in the right setup and respect their space, they can be a rewarding and mesmerizing pet.
We’ve found that the key is consistency — in temperature, humidity, feeding, and handling. When you give them what they need, they tend to thrive. And honestly, watching one of these snakes draped perfectly along a branch in the warm glow of its enclosure is one of the most mesmerizing sights in the reptile world.
If you’re up for the challenge, a Green Tree Python can be an incredible addition to your reptile family. Just go in prepared — and you’ll do just fine.