Pitón Arborícola Verde
Bright green. Lives among branches. Sensitive to the stress of handling. Experts only.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Those seeking an exotic pet with a technical commitment
- ✓Patient people (reptiles need time to build trust)
- ✓Homes with space for a terrarium
Reconsider if
- ×Homes with young children without supervision
- ×People with no prior experience (consult an exotics vet first)
- ×Life spent entirely in a small terrarium (cruel)
Notify me when a Pitón Arborícola Verde is up for adoption
We'll only email you when a verified rescue posts one available. No spam, unsubscribe in 1 click.
We'll only use your email for this alert. More info in our privacy policy.
Is the Pitón Arborícola Verde a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
25-40 €/month
Frozen rodents 5-10 €, electricity for heat and humidity control 12-18 €, substrate and maintenance 3-5 €; annual exotics vet check-up (~40-60 €) and a possible quality hygrometer/thermostat as an initial investment.
History and origin
Native to New Guinea and Australia. Bright green.
Temperament and character
Reptiles are NOT social like mammals. They tolerate handling but do not seek companionship. Trust is earned with patience.
Living together
Children: depends on the species and supervised handling. **Other pets:** avoid - a two-way risk. **Other reptiles:** depending on the species, separate terrariums are best.
Life stages of the Pitón Arborícola Verde
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 15-20 años.
Hatchling
0-6 months
Juvenile red or yellow colouration; horizontal perches, 60-80% humidity, 26-30 °C gradient; a pinky every 5-7 days.
Juvenile
6-18 months
Colour transition towards green; maintain perches at different heights; a small mouse every 7-10 days, minimal handling.
Subadult
1.5-3 years
High humidity and ventilation to prevent respiratory and shedding problems; heat lamp/ceramic with a thermostat (risk of burns).
Adult
3-20 years
26-30 °C gradient (night-time drop), 60-80% humidity; a small rat every 14-21 days; watch for a complete shed given its coiled posture.
Care
Terrarium: minimum size according to species (consult species-specific guides). UVB is mandatory for diurnal species.
Temperature: a day/night gradient - a warm zone versus a cool zone for thermoregulation.
Humidity: according to species (rainforest 70%+ - desert 30-50%).
Diet: species-specific - insectivores, herbivores and carnivores vary radically.
Veterinary care: an exotics vet (an ordinary vet will NOT do). Annual check-up.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
Carnivore: appropriately sized rodents (thawed) every 1-3 weeks depending on age. Adults eat little; avoid overfeeding, which is common in captivity.
✂️ Grooming
No routine baths; correct humidity ensures complete sheds. A dry environment causes retained shed on the eyes and tail tip.
🎓 Training
It cannot be tamed; it tolerates handling poorly and may bite out of stress. Handle only when strictly necessary (cleaning, veterinary examination) and with proper technique.
🏃 Exercise
A tall terrarium with horizontal perches at different heights, vegetation and a thermal gradient (basking ~31-32 °C, ambient 26-28 °C, night ~24 °C).
Breed-specific health
UVB deficiency (rickets, MBD), parasites, respiratory infections from incorrect humidity. Life expectancy 15-20 years when well cared for.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in reptiles
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Pitón Arborícola Verde
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓Faecal analysis for parasites (especially nematodes and cryptosporidia)
- ✓Culture/examination of the airways if wheezing is present
- ✓Inspection of the shed (eyes/tail) and of the oral cavity (stomatitis)
- ✓CITES II documentation for sale and purchase
Prevention
High, stable humidity (60-80%) with good ventilation to prevent respiratory infections, a correct thermal gradient, safe horizontal perches, and minimal handling (a species very sensitive to stress).
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with an exotics vet; a quarantine faecal analysis on acquisition and close monitoring of its breathing.
Warning signs
- !Open-mouth breathing, noises or bubbles (respiratory infection)
- !Retained shed on the eyes or tail
- !Staying on the floor of the terrarium (stress/illness)
- !Regurgitation after feeding
- !Loss of muscle tone in its coils around the perch
Pitón Arborícola Verde gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Pitón Arborícola Verde
- How long does a Pitón Arborícola Verde live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Pitón Arborícola Verde is 15-20 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Pitón Arborícola Verde weigh? ▾
- An adult Pitón Arborícola Verde weighs between 1-1.6 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano.
- Where does the Pitón Arborícola Verde breed come from? ▾
- The Pitón Arborícola Verde originates from Nueva Guinea, Australia. Native to New Guinea and Australia. Bright green.
- How much exercise does a Pitón Arborícola Verde need? ▾
- The Pitón Arborícola Verde has media energy. **Terrarium:** minimum size according to species (consult species-specific guides). UVB is mandatory for diurnal species.
- Is the Pitón Arborícola Verde good with children? ▾
- **Children:** depends on the species and supervised handling. **Other pets:** avoid - a two-way risk. **Other reptiles:** depending on the species, separate terrariums are best.
- Who is the Pitón Arborícola Verde NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Homes with young children without supervision. People with no prior experience (consult an exotics vet first). Life spent entirely in a small terrarium (cruel). It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Pitón Arborícola Verde have? ▾
- UVB deficiency (rickets, MBD), parasites, respiratory infections from incorrect humidity. Life expectancy 15-20 years when well cared for.
- Is it a snake for beginners? ▾
- No. The green tree python is delicate regarding humidity and very sensitive to the stress of handling; it is reserved for experienced keepers.
- Why should I not handle it much? ▾
- It is an arboreal species that lives coiled on branches; frequent handling stresses it and increases the risk of regurgitation and illness.
- Does it need paperwork? ▾
- It is listed under CITES II: keep the invoice and documentation proving the animal's legal origin, especially for sale and purchase.
- How do I avoid respiratory problems? ▾
- Keep humidity high but with ventilation; stagnant, humid air encourages serious respiratory infections in this species.
Learn more about reptiles
Practical veterinary guides to support your Pitón Arborícola Verde.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaMorelia viridis (Wikipedia) ↗
- The Reptile DatabaseMorelia viridis - The Reptile Database ↗
Want to adopt a pitón arborícola verde?
There are pitón arborícola verdes in rescue shelters looking for a family. Filter by breed in the catalogue.
