Purchasing a green tree python is an exciting step for any reptile enthusiast. These snakes, known for their striking appearance and fascinating behavior, are a popular choice among hobbyists. However, keeping them healthy and happy can be a bit more complex than some new owners realize. While their beauty is undeniable, caring for these reptiles requires a deeper understanding of their needs.
In this guide, we’ll dive into some of the most common mistakes people make after purchasing a green tree python and how to avoid them. This will help ensure your pet thrives in its new home, giving you the satisfaction of properly caring for such a unique animal.
Table of Contents
1. Not Preparing the Enclosure in Advance
One of the first and biggest mistakes that new owners make is failing to set up the python’s enclosure before bringing it home. Green tree pythons require a specific environment to stay healthy, and trying to assemble their enclosure after they arrive can cause unnecessary stress to the snake.
Green tree pythons are arboreal creatures, meaning they live most of their lives in trees. This means that your enclosure must prioritize height over floor space. These snakes love to climb and will spend most of their time perched on branches. If their enclosure lacks climbing opportunities, it can lead to stress, poor behavior, and potential health issues.
Solution:
Before your green tree python arrives, set up a tall, well-ventilated terrarium with plenty of horizontal branches for perching. Ensure there are multiple levels of branches and some places where the snake can hide or feel secure. Be sure the enclosure also allows for easy regulation of temperature and humidity. This will help your new snake settle in more easily.
2. Improper Temperature and Humidity Control
Green tree pythons come from tropical environments, and they need their new home to mimic these conditions as closely as possible. New owners sometimes overlook the importance of controlling both temperature and humidity within the enclosure. These factors are crucial to their health, and failing to maintain them can lead to health problems, such as respiratory infections or shedding issues.
Without proper temperature control, your snake may become lethargic, stop eating, or become prone to illnesses. Similarly, if the humidity is too low, your snake may experience trouble shedding its skin, and if it’s too high, it may develop respiratory issues.
Solution:
Invest in reliable thermometers and hygrometers (tools for measuring humidity) to monitor the enclosure’s environment accurately. Maintain a temperature gradient within the enclosure, with a warm area ranging from 80°F to 88°F and a cooler area around 75°F. For humidity, aim for levels between 50% and 70%. Misting the enclosure with water or using a fogger can help maintain these humidity levels.
3. Overhandling Your Snake Too Soon
One of the exciting parts of bringing home a new pet is interacting with it. However, with green tree pythons, handling them too frequently or too soon can cause problems. These snakes are known for being more defensive than some other species, particularly if they feel threatened or stressed.
While they are beautiful and mesmerizing to watch, green tree pythons are not as tolerant of handling as other pythons or snakes like ball pythons. Overhandling can make them defensive and cause them to bite. It can also stress them out, which is particularly harmful in the first few weeks of bringing them home.
Solution:
After bringing your snake home, give it time to settle into its enclosure. Let it get comfortable in its new environment before you attempt to handle it. Even after the acclimation period, limit handling to a few times a week at most, and always ensure the snake is calm before you try to pick it up.
4. Feeding Mistakes
Feeding is another area where new green tree python owners often make mistakes. These mistakes can include feeding prey that is too large, feeding too often, or even feeding their python right after handling it.
Feeding your snake too large of prey can lead to regurgitation or difficulty digesting the meal, while feeding too often can make the snake obese or lead to other health issues. On the other hand, feeding too infrequently can leave your python undernourished, affecting its overall health and growth.
Solution:
When it comes to feeding, offer prey that is no wider than the thickest part of your snake’s body. Juvenile green tree pythons can be fed once every 5-7 days, while adults usually only need to be fed once every 10-14 days. It’s also important not to handle your snake for at least 24-48 hours after feeding, as this can cause regurgitation.
5. Not Doing Enough Research on Green Tree Python Morphs
Green tree pythons are highly sought after in the reptile trade not just because of their beauty, but also because of the variety of green tree python morphs available. Morphs refer to snakes that have different colorations or patterns due to genetic variations. While many owners are familiar with the standard green color of these pythons, they might not realize the diversity that exists within the species.
Some of the most popular morphs include high yellow variants, blue phase morphs, and albino morphs, each boasting unique, eye-catching colors. However, these morphs can sometimes come with specific care requirements that new owners need to be aware of.
Solution:
If you’re considering purchasing a particular green tree python morph, research the specific needs and temperament of that morph beforehand. Make sure you’re fully prepared for the care that comes with these rare variants. Be aware that certain morphs can be more expensive and may require different environmental needs, so proper preparation is key.
6. Failing to Provide Adequate Hiding Spaces
In the wild, green tree pythons spend much of their time perched on branches in dense trees, where they feel secure and hidden. A common mistake new owners make is not providing enough hiding spots within their enclosure, leaving the python exposed and stressed.
Even though they spend a lot of time coiled in plain sight, green tree pythons still require the option to hide and feel safe, especially during daylight hours when they are not active. A bare or poorly furnished enclosure can lead to anxiety for your snake, which can impact its health and behavior.
Solution:
Make sure to add plenty of hiding places in the enclosure. This can include using foliage, cork bark, or hollow logs that allow your snake to feel secure. Hiding spots should be placed at different heights in the terrarium to match their arboreal nature.
7. Ignoring Routine Health Checks
Like all reptiles, green tree pythons are susceptible to various health issues, from respiratory infections to shedding problems. However, many new owners don’t perform routine health checks on their pythons, which can cause small issues to become bigger problems over time.
Ignoring health concerns or failing to notice symptoms early on can lead to serious complications. For example, breathing difficulties, wheezing, or swollen tissue could indicate respiratory infections, while a snake struggling to shed its skin could be experiencing humidity-related issues.
Solution:
Regularly check your snake for signs of illness, such as labored breathing, abnormal shedding, or unusual behaviors. It’s important to have a reptile vet available who is familiar with green tree pythons in case you notice anything off.
Final Thoughts
Owning a green tree python can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to be well-prepared and avoid common mistakes. From properly setting up their enclosure to understanding their feeding and health needs, caring for these beautiful snakes takes time, research, and attention to detail.
When looking for a green tree python for sale, always seek out reputable breeders, like Wilbanks Reptiles, who prioritize the health and well-being of their animals. They can also provide valuable guidance on specific morphs and proper care for your new snake.
By avoiding the common pitfalls mentioned above, you can ensure your green tree python remains healthy and thrives in its new home, offering you years of enjoyment and fascination.
