General Information
Distribution — Cape York Peninsula of Australia, the Island of New Guinea and smaller surrounding islands in Indonesia.
Habitat — These arboreal pythons are found in very humid rainforest habitats.
Adult Size — Green tree pythons are relatively small pythons ranging in size from 1.2 - 1.8 m (4-6 feet).
Temperament — These pythons are nervous and tend to bite as young animals. They also have a particularly delicate spine. Handling of these snakes can begin after they are 1 - 1.5 years old to avoid damage to the spine and tail. Domestically bred snakes also tend to calm down naturally at this age. Avoid handling these snakes at night as this is their normal active period and they will be more difficult to manage.
Longevity — Green tree pythons are known to live more than 20 years in captivity.
Captive Care
Rating: 3 — Moderate adult size, and more frequent captive breeding has improved the status of these snakes as potential pets. Green tree pythons have specialized care requirements such as high humidity that require special attention..
Diet: Hatchlings and juveniles - pink/ fuzzy mice, hopper mice, and pink/fuzzy rats; Adults - large rodents such as rats; food item should be large enough to leave a noticeable but not huge lump in the snake; feed ever 7 - 10 days.
Temperature: 26o to 31o C (77-88o F)
Space Requirements: An adult green tree python can be housed properly if kept in a terrarium with adequate vertical and horizontal climbing space. A 90 x 60 x 60 cm (3'x2'x2') tank is suitable for an adult animal. Young green tree pythons can be housed in a 15 to 35 gallon terrarium for the first year or so.
Breeding: Green tree pythons generally reach sexual maturity at 2.5 to 3 years of age and can produce a clutch of eggs in a captive environment. Although cycling of temperatures between day and night is required, consistent cooling is not recommended. Night temperatures should drop to 19o to 20o C (68o to 70o F) with temperatures returning to normal during the day. Light spraying in the evening just before dark is also beneficial. Typically the eggs take about 50 days to incubate with a temperature between 30o to 31.5o C (86o to 89o F).
Special Requirements: Daily misting is always a good way to increase humidity. Lots of perches of appropriate thickness will provide resting places and varied temperatures for thermoregulation. The possibility of excessive handling and not enough arboreal climbing space (to provide the animal with a sense of security) are two factors to think about if your snake goes off food.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Barker, David G. and Tracy M. Barker. 1994. Pythons of the World. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc., Lakeside, California. Pp. 171.
Mattison, Chris. 1995. Keeping and Breeding Snakes. Cassell Publishing, London, UK. Pp. 184.
Maxwell, Greg. 2003. The Complete Chondro.
Eco Publishing/Zoo Book Sales. Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A.
Pp 247.
Ross, Richard A. and Gerald Marzec. 1990. The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. The Institute for Herpetological Research Stanford, California. Pp. 270.
Stoops, Erik d. and Annette T. Wright. 1993. Boas & Pythons: Breeding and Care. TFH Publications, Inc. Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 192.
Walls, Jerry G. 1998. The Living Pythons: A Complete Guide to the Pythons of the World. TFH Publications, Inc. Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 256.