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Care sheet

Green Tree Python

Morelia viridis

Also known as: GTP

Pythonidae · Squamata

AdvancedCITES IIIUCN LC
Activity
🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament
Hands-off
Adult length
48–72 in
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Native range
New Guinea, eastern Indonesia, and far-northern Australia — rainforest

Care guide

Overview

Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) — an arboreal display python that rests draped over horizontal perches. Needs height, perches, warmth, and humidity. Not a handling snake; admire rather than hold.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
74–78 °F
Warm side
80–84 °F
Basking spot
86–90 °F
Nighttime
72–76 °F
Humidity (ambient)
60–80%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Arboreal
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingNot specified
  • JuvenileNot specified
  • Adult3x2x3 ft (tall) with horizontal perches at multiple heights

Housing

Substrate

Safe options
cypress mulchcoco husksphagnum moss
Avoid
cedarpinedry bedding

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Strict carnivore
Prey size by life stage
  • AdultAppropriately sized rodents ~1x the snake's widest point
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • JuvenileEvery 7-10 days
  • AdultEvery 14-21 days

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Water bowl plus daily misting to sustain 60-80% humidity.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES
Appendix II
IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern
Wild populations

CITES Appendix II. Primarily a display animal — perches coiled on branches; handling is stressful and best minimized.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Complex

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Morelia viridis — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    Arboreal biology, range, perching behavior.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Morelia viridis — IUCN Red List (LC)

    IUCN

    government

    Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Green Tree Python Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)

    breeder community

    Arboreal enclosure, perch placement, temps, humidity, feeding.

    Published: 2022-01-01