Bought a Green tree Python today.

G

groundskeeper24

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I've been keeping reptiles for almost 19 years, but today I finally broke down and bought a snake that I've admired ever since I saw it in an coffee table book. The snake is a tiny month-old green tree python (morelia viridis). Before anyone asks, no it wasn't imported or farmed. I bought him from a local high school biology teacher who keeps and breeds this species exclusively. This is a huge advantage for me, as he is able to provide me any info I may need along the way.

The snake doing well. I've built a small enclosure out of a plastic shoebox and several dow rods of appropriate diameter. I also have a good-sized water bowl to help with keeping the humidity up. The python came documentation of hatch date, it's first shed and 5 feedings, which was key in me in deciding to buy it. It's also quite nippy, as all baby snakes are. I personally did not buy it to have a "pet" snake. I'm not looking to play with or handle it outside of maintenance. It's my goal to raise it to be a beautiful display animal.

I have read a good amount on them and know what it takes to keep them healthy, so now it's just a matter of the rubber meeting the road here. I'm very excited about this, seeing that I've wanted one forever but waited until what I felt was the right time, and for the right snake from the right person (it was a long wait). If anyone has any experience or advice here, let me know. I'm always up for tips and pointers.
 
We have a pair on exhibit in our Conservation Learning Center. Actually, they are the only snakes on exhibit in our entire zoo (though we do have a couple education snakes that docents and staff can take out for people to touch). They are in a small fake tree/rainforest exhibit and are ALWAYS seen curled up around one of the upper tree limbs. So you will need to have tree limbs or sticks for them to climb and rest on. We also make it rain (via misters) a few times a day. You may need to spray warm water from a small bottle in addition to just having a bowl in there for humidity?
 
Yeah, I have a spray bottle. I've misted him today and have read that I'll need to do it 2 or 3 times a day. It's pretty humid in the enclosure. There's quite a bit of condensation on the sides. I'm more worried about overdoing the humidity now that I know that I can get it there. I've read that they can get fungal infections if it's too high.
 
Have you devised a diet to minimise the risk of prolapse?

The humidity will probably become a matter of trial and error until you get it right.

Congratulations - this a beautiful species.
 
No, I haven't yet, but I am reading up on it. I'm not seeing much about using diet for prolapse prevention. In my experiece, prolapse is a hydration issue, as the breeder I bought it from told me. My temps and humidity are prett outstanding right now. His cage has a daytime temp between 84 and 87. It has gone no lower than 78 at night (when the snake has been super active.)

The python did defecate today, so hopefully that means I'm doing something right. The humudity has stayed at 70% the whole time.

Two days before the first feeding attempt, Little nervous, but I have high hopes about the possibility of succeeding,

If you have a tip about dietary prolapse managament, please share:).
 
In Australia the book generally considered within Herp circles to be the bible for Green Tree Pythons is "The More Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell (2005). It has section on rectal prolapses and how to treat them, and an entire chapter on managing neonates (hatchlings).

Just on a side note, a guy I know is a stone mason, and made an enclosure for his snakes out of stone (not marble, but smooth like marble). It was solidly constructed and, being stone, was not affected by the high humidity (as wood and particleboard tend to absorb moisture and eventually warp). In fact, he needed to spray less because the environment retained the humidity for longer.

:p

Hix
 
I'll see if I can get the book online. Thanks for the reccomendation. The breeder told me that he's never had an issue with prolapses, so my fingers are crossed. Wouldn't hurt to know preventative measures, though.

The snake has displayed caudal luring a couple of time when I was watching. I hope this means he's hungry. The big day (first feeding attempt) is tomorrow night.

I'm really falling in love with this little snake. He's fascinating to observe.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
If you have a tip about dietary prolapse managament, please share:).
Click to expand...

If you can get hold of the book recommended by Hix you can't go too far wrong.

Current thinking includes the possibility that prolapses could be caused by feeding items that are too large. In other words, keep the food items as small as possible.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
I'll see if I can get the book online.
Click to expand...

Then make sure the title is "The More Complete Chondro". This is the second edition, the first being titled "The Complete Chondro". Still a good book, but the second edition has more info.

:p

Hix
 
I ordered the book. More importantly, he took his first meal today! I fed him a very small thawed pinkie mouse. This is a big relief to me as far as knowing that the conditions in the enclosure are good. I've heard they can be quite picky as hatchlings.
 
You still haven't told us what colour it is ...

:p

Hix
 
Second successful feeding today. I've seen a lot of caudal luring at night. The snake is adjusting very well. I couldn't be happier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top