Green Tree Python Care Sheet

One of the most beautiful snakes in the world is the green tree python. As the name suggests, these snakes are arboreal or live in trees. There are many interesting facts on green tree python that prospective owners should be aware of. In this green tree python care sheet, we shall learn something about the green tree python, its habitat, housing requirements and feeding cycle.

Green Tree Python Facts

The green tree pythons are also called 'chondros' due to their former genus name Chondropython. The hatchlings are yellow or red in color with white and black flecks. The young snakes are soon change their color to green or blue. If you bring home a juvenile of this species, you will enjoy watching the color changes in the snake. The hatchlings are just about 8 to 10 inches in size. An adult green tree python is about 4 to 6 feet in height. The males are smaller than the female green tree python. The green tree python habitat is the fairly humid climate of the rainforests of the Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands. They are also found in the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. The average life span of green tree python is about 15 years.

Green Tree Python Care Sheet

The following paragraphs will focus on the elements of green tree python care that will help you take better care of your reptilian pet.

Housing
You need to keep baby and juvenile green tree pythons in a small enclosure or aquarium that is about 30" x 12" x 12" in height (20 gallon). Adult green pythons need 18" x 18" x 18 or 24" x 18" x 24" vivarium or aquarium tank. You need to provide the snake with a steady preach as he will love to spend most of his time here. Make sure you secure the lid of the cage properly as the green tree python is a great escape artist. The lid should have proper ventilation areas that helps in healthy air circulation. The vivarium should be aesthetically pleasing. You can add different kinds of branches and natural plants to the vivarium to make the living conditions of your pet better. The green tree python is a timid reptile. You should provide the snake with a number of sitting spots and a few hiding places to your green tree python.

Substrate
These snakes are arboreal and therefore you can use old, shredded newspaper as a substrate. However, if you want something more elaborate, you can go in for aspen, bark chips, wood chips, coconut husk, cypress, etc. as substrate. It is important you provide a variety of branches and sticks of varying diameter to your snake. They prefer living up in trees and therefore concentrate more on the branches. Sphagnum moss kept in the tank will act as a sponge in case the tank is wet and add to the aesthetic appeal to the tank.

Temperature
You need to provide a thermal gradient to your snake in the vivarium. It means you should place a heating or hot pad at one end of the enclosure. The temperature at this end should be about 86-90º F. The cooler end of the enclosure should be maintained at 75-78º F. At night the temperature should be reduced to some degrees.

Lighting
The green python is a nocturnal animal and loves to come out in the dark. You can use artificial lighting in the vivarium and regulate it according to the photo-period of the snake. You can bring home a D3 ultraviolet light. This is most commonly used for diurnal species. During nighttime, you can use a infra-red bulb. Make sure the bulb is covered in wire mesh, to prevent it causing burn injuries on your pet.

Humidity
As mentioned earlier, the green python habitat is naturally humid. Thus, using sphagnum moss in the vivarium will help in keeping the humidity levels high. But, make sure you do not make the interiors of the tank soggy as it will cause many fungal diseases on your pet.

Feeding
You can feed your juvenile green tree python with small, pinky mice. The small mouse should be fed every 5 to 7 days to a juvenile. Young adult snakes can be fed a medium-sized mouse or hopper every 7 to 10 days. Adult green tree python can be given one or two adult mouse medium-sized or large rat every 10 to 14 days. Do not overfeed as it will make the sedentary snake overweight.

Water
You need to keep misting or spraying their enclosure with water everyday. This is because they come from a rainforest habitat. This will help keep the snake-skin moist and the animal active. But, make sure the vivarium is dry between spray or misting. Or else you risk the snake for developing bacterial infections. You can place a bowl of clean fresh water in the enclosure for them to have a drink.

Handling
Green tree pythons have earned the reputation of being aggressive. This is not true as these snakes become defensive when mishandled or restrained. You should remove the green python snake from its perch. Be calm and do not panic even if the snake reacts. Make sure you approach the snake with you free hand from below. Support the lower coils of the snake very gently. Allow the snake to leave the porch on its own. Then raise the coils with your hands as it begins to leave the perch. Do NOT pull the snake from its perch. You can offer it to move to a different perching location. Remain calm and very gentle at all times. Never manhandle the snake or it will turn defensive.

This was some information related to green tree python care sheet. These are extremely beautiful creatures and a pride for many hobbyist. You should speak to experts and current owners of green tree python regarding its care and maintenance. Only if you are ready to take good green python care, bring home one. Hope the above green tree python care sheet has helped you gather some basic information related to care of this beautiful arboreal reptile.