Snakes · Care guide
Philodryas baroni
South American green racers — rapid but rather timid, about 4–6 ft and slender. Semi-arid arboreal setup: probe 80 °F, T5 6% UV, day humidity under 50% with a night spike to about 70%, wet box, climbing branches, and a rodent diet sized to girth. Rear-fanged (see health note).
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Daytime probe
80 °F
27 °C · thermostat sensor
Night drop
~10 °F
~70 °F · ~21 °C
Humidity
Under 50→70%
Day dry · night spike
UVB
T5 6%
Ceiling · tree-dwelling
01 · Housing
Semi-arid arboreal racer setup. Adult minimum is 36″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep (or larger). Orchid bark with coir, hides and climbing branches, wet box, artificial foliage, T5 6% UV, and a cool-side water bowl.
Adult minimum size
36″ W × 18″ D × 36″ H
Wooden vivarium minimum (or larger as desired). Heat bulb with ¼/¼ probe method, T5 6% ceiling UV, climbing branches, wet box, and cool-side water bowl.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 36″ wide × 36″ tall (depth 18″) · T5 6% · climbing branches · hides · wet box · coir & bark · cool water bowl
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat bulb & probe left–right positions · Recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the vivarium · bulb on the ceiling · probe hangs down the back
02 · Climate
Probe 80 °F with a clear cool-to-warm gradient, T5 6% for tree-dwelling racers, and a night humidity spike — light evening spray to about 70%.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 80 °F (27 °C) creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool side | ~75 °F (~24 °C) |
| Probe point (thermostat probe target) | 80 °F (27 °C) |
| Middle | 82–84 °F (28–29 °C) |
| Warm side | ~88 °F (~31 °C) |
| Basking spot | ~90 °F (~32 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~70 °F (~21 °C) at night · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
T5 6% on the ceiling · heat dome on the warm side · match UV to heat
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the probe to 80 °F (27 °C) for daytime once the heat bulb and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Rodent feeders sized to girth. Settle first, then build a steady schedule — evening or overnight feeds suit most of these racers.
At a glance
Guide as the snake grows — size relative to girth
| Prey | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 1 pinkie | 2× per week |
| 2 pinkies | 2× per week |
| 1 fluff | 2× per week |
| 2 fluffs | Every 5 days |
| 1 hop | Every 5 days |
| 1 small mouse | Every 7 days |
| 1 medium mouse | Every 7–10 days |
| 1 large mouse | Every 10–12 days |
| 1 extra-large mouse | Every 14 days |
Snakes may naturally refuse food at times — breeding season (males especially can go off feed for many months), and during shed (slough). The shed process can take 1–2 weeks; you may not notice the very beginning.
Speak to a member of staff if feeding concerns continue after settlement and shed cycles.
04 · Behaviour
Rapid but rather timid. Settling and regular feeding come before handling.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — we recommend at least two successful feeds first. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as the snake becomes more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm reptiles.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UV, hydration, and safe substrate working together.
Correct temperatures, hydration, and UV where used keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is a wooden vivarium 36″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep, or larger as desired. They average 4–6 ft and are arboreal — fill the ground with hides, branches and enrichment, add climbing branches, artificial foliage, a wet box with damp moss, orchid bark mixed with coir (or bio), and a cool-side water bowl. Heat bulb with the ¼/¼ probe method and T5 6% UV on the ceiling.
Set the thermostat probe to 80 °F (27 °C) by day with the heat bulb about one-quarter from one side and the probe one-quarter from the opposite side, hanging down the back a few inches from the floor. That creates a gradient of about 75 °F cool, 82–84 °F middle, around 88 °F warm, and around 90 °F under the basking bulb. At night reduce the thermostat by about 10 °F to around 70 °F (21 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Semi-arid: less than 50% during the day, rising to about 70% at night. Light evening spray, or a fogger / rain system. A wet box with damp moss helps. Substrate of orchid bark mixed with coir (or bio) holds a little overnight humidity.
Although nocturnal, use a T5 6% UV system on the vivarium ceiling. Tree-dwelling racers are more exposed when resting in branches — the sheet recommends 6% T5 rather than a Shadedweller (which is suggested for burrowers).
They are rear-fanged. This is not dangerous to humans in the way a serious venom is — more like a bee sting — but if you are hypoallergenic, the sheet suggests choosing a different snake.
No. Cannibalism has been reported — never co-habit. Only place them together for breeding.
Allow the snake to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only. Wait about 24 hours after feeding before handling. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Young snakes twice a week while growing; sub-adults every five days; adults once a week. Prey size should match the snake’s girth (mouse). Feed in the evening or overnight; remove uneaten food by morning. Do not feed during shed.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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