Knowing where a Green Tree Python lives is valuable information if you’re planning trips or want to keep one as a pet. Their ideal environment might surprise you!
One look at their vibrant color, and you’ll see why they’re called Green Tree Pythons. This snake species can captivate any passer-by! Besides their mesmerizing appearance, Green Tree Pythons are pretty large and enjoy wrapping themselves around tree branches.
In this article, I share more about their natural habitat, whether it’s wise to keep one as a pet, and give a quick overview of the three Green Tree Python subspecies.
Where Does The Green Tree Python Live: Ideal Environment
The ideal environment for a Green Tree Python is a tropical rainforest habitat. They’re only found in areas of eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Cape York Peninsula of Australia.
This snake thrives in warm, densely vegetated areas with very high humidities. Sometimes they can also be found in forests that aren’t as wet and gardens with fresh growth.
The age of the Green Tree Python plays a large part in where you’ll find them because they have different environmental needs during each phase of their life.
Can You Keep A Green Tree Python As A Pet?
Yes, you can keep a Green Tree Python as a pet.
You will, however, need to ensure that you can adhere to all of their needs. They’re also known to get aggressive when enclosed.
Green Tree Pythons can live for more than 20 years in captivity and prefer being alone. They don’t like to be held, and their moods can change instantly, so you should know that the risk of them biting you is real.
This species is recommended for a more experienced snake handler.
You will need a proper enclosure with the correct temperature and humidity settings. Green Tree Pythons are arboreal, which means that they live in trees. It would be best to supply them with a branch or some sturdy perches to lie on.
What Do Green Tree Pythons Eat?
Green Tree Pythons are carnivores and prefer to hunt their food by ambushing their prey and using different tactics to kill it. They use the tip of their tails to trap their prey into thinking it’s a worm. Once their target shows interest, they strike and constrict them to death.
Green Tree Pythons will prey on small mammals and reptiles, like mice and geckos in the wild. Sometimes they’ll even settle for birds or moths.
Baby Pythons are diurnal and hunt during the day. Adult snakes are known to be nocturnal – they stay in one place throughout the day and hunt during the night.
In captivity, Green Tree Pythons usually need mice or rats every couple of days. Babies require a small rodent every 5 to 7 days, juvenile snakes eat every 7 to 10 days, and adults need medium-sized rodents every 10 to 14 days.
Pregnant female Green Tree Pythons won’t eat until their babies are born. This starvation streak can last up to 90 days.
Are Green Tree Pythons Venomous?
Green Tree Pythons are non-venomous and won’t kill you, but their bites are still dangerous since they’re very big snakes.
The species is extremely shy, but they still choose to bite if you get too close to them. These snakes have more than a hundred teeth, so one bite could result in a trip to the emergency room.
Types of Green Tree Pythons
Biak Green Tree Python
These snakes are bright yellow until they turn about five years old. Even after turning green, they still keep a lot of the yellow. They are very curious and the most popular choice when choosing a Green Tree Python to keep as a pet.
Jayapura Green Tree Python
This subspecies is less likely to bite or strike than other Green Tree Pythons. They only differ in color with a blue stripe rather than white or yellow and some white spots.
Manokwari Green Tree Python
These Green Tree Pythons have more blue on them than green. They have a lighter green shade with a brighter blue vertebrate stripe. The tip of these snakes’ tails is prominently blue.
How To Identify A Green Tree Python
You can identify a Green Tree Python by its bright colors. They are green with yellow or white stripes over their vertebrates.
Baby Green Tree Pythons are bright red or yellow when born and only change color as they start to mature.
When measured from nose to tail, the Green Tree Python will be about five feet long.
Their heads are shaped like diamonds.
Wrapping Up
A Green Tree Python could make an excellent pet, but you shouldn’t keep one if you can’t mimic their natural habitat. This snake species thrives in rainforests, and depriving them of these conditions is cruel.
Your chances of finding a Green Tree Python on your afternoon hike is rare, but if you do, don’t startle. They’re non-venomous snakes but might inflict a painful bite if they feel threatened by you.
I hope this article intrigued you and you feel more knowledgeable about the Green Tree Python species. If you have any more questions about these snakes or have one and would like to share an interesting fact or two about them, pop it in the comments!
FAQs
Is the Green Tree Python native to Australia?
Yes.
The Green Tree Python is native to Australia and other countries.
Where do Green Tree Pythons live in Australia?
In Australia, the Green Tree Python lives in the eastern Cape York Peninsula rainforests in the far north of Queensland.
Do Green Tree Pythons live in Florida?
No.
Green Tree Pythons aren't native to Florida.
Where do tree snakes lay their eggs?
Many female tree snakes lay their eggs in caves or hollow branches to keep them safe.