Snakes · Care guide
Morelia viridis
Captivating arboreal pythons known for striking green colour and a sedentary lifestyle on a sturdy horizontal perch. Tall humid vivarium (24″ × 18″ × 36″), probe 80 °F, humidity about 50% day / 70% night, coir and orchid bark, and a rodent diet sized to girth.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Daytime probe
80 °F
27 °C · cool-end sensor
Night drop
~10 °F
~74 °F · ~23 °C
Humidity
50→70%
Day low · night spike
Adult vivarium
24×18×36
Tall · W×D×H inches
01 · Housing
A tall, high-humidity arboreal setup. Adult minimum is 24″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep (or more). Coir and orchid bark, a sturdy horizontal perch, artificial plants, and a cool-side water bowl. Wooden or PVC preferred.
Adult minimum size
24″ W × 18″ D × 36″ H
Tall wooden or quality PVC vivarium (or larger). More height than width. Heat bulb ~¼ from one side; cool-end probe 2–3″ from substrate; sturdy horizontal perch.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 24″ wide × 36″ tall (depth 18″) · sturdy horizontal perch · foliage · 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 on the cool end with a clear cool-to-warm gradient, a sturdy horizontal perch, and a strong night humidity spike — spray 1–2× daily with night priority.
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 | ~78 °F (~26 °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 ~74 °F (~23 °C) at night · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Heat & photoperiod
Heat dome on the warm side · day length 12 h winter / up to 16 h summer
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 Green Tree Pythons.
At a glance
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
Minimise handling. A suitable environment and watching natural behaviours from a distance is often the best way to enjoy these pythons.
Keep handling to a minimum. Prefer watching natural perch behaviour from a distance over frequent sessions.
Allow 24–48 hours after a meal before any handling so digestion is not disturbed.
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 tall wooden or quality PVC vivarium 24″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep, or more. They are arboreal — more height than width. Use coir mixed with orchid bark, a sturdy horizontal perch (they are very sedentary and rarely leave it), artificial plants, and a cool-side water bowl. Heat bulb about one-quarter from one side; cool-end probe 2–3″ from substrate. Glass is only an option if your house stays very warm.
Set the thermostat probe to 80 °F (27 °C) by day on the cold end opposite the heat, hanging from the top ventilation cover about 2–3 inches from the substrate. Heat bulb about one-quarter from one side, halfway front to back. That creates a gradient of about 78 °F cool, 82–84 °F middle, around 88 °F warm, and generally around 90 °F under the basking bulb. At night reduce the thermostat by about 10 °F to around 74 °F (23 °C). Daytime heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Daytime can be as low as about 50%, rising to about 70% at night (higher when shedding). Spray 1–2 times a day with the night spray most important — that night spike matches wild conditions and is what their body and respiratory system need. Foggers or spray systems can help.
Minimise handling. While some may tolerate occasional gentle handling, it should be kept to a minimum to reduce stress and potential harm. Providing a suitable environment and observing natural behaviours from a distance is often best. Wait 24–48 hours after feeding before any 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 about every five days; adults about once a week. Larger individuals can be fed every 2–3 weeks. Prey size should match the snake’s girth (mouse or rat). Feed in the evening or overnight; remove uneaten food by morning. Do not feed during shed — wait until after the shed is complete.
A sturdy horizontal branch is essential — they spend most of their time on it and are very sedentary. Extra branches at different heights for enrichment are nice in theory, but the sheet notes they typically will not use them. Artificial plants can be added for aesthetic appeal.
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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