Snake Species · New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia
Green Tree Python
Emerald coil over rainforest branches — heavily collected for the pet trade.
By WARN Research & Conservation TeamLast updated
In brief
The Green Tree Python is an emerald arboreal python from New Guinea, Indonesia and Cape York — hatching yellow or red before turning green with age. Its defining trait is striking colour ontogeny and coil-over-branch resting posture. Wild collection for export remains a conservation concern despite captive breeding success in Malaysia and Indonesia.
What are the key facts about a Green Tree Python?
The Green Tree Python is a snake species from New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia: medium (1.5–2 m), arboreal, striking from branches. Emerald coil over rainforest branches — heavily collected for the pet trade.
| Origin | New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium (1.5–2 m) |
| Typical length | 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft) typical; slender arboreal build weighing 1–2 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–30 years depending on species |
| Scales & pattern | Adults vivid emerald green with white or yellow scattered scales; some populations show blue highlights. Juveniles hatch yellow, red or maroon before ontogenetic colour change at 12–24 months. Smooth scales with white speckling. Coil draped over branches in characteristic saddle posture — never pull a coiled green tree python from a perch. |
| Temperament | Arboreal, striking from branches |
| Conservation note | Expert arboreal snake keepers only — green tree pythons are sensitive to handling stress, thermal burns and incorrect humidity. Vertical enclosures with perches at multiple heights are essential. Captive-bred from established lines preferred over wild-imported specimens. |
Should you keep a Green Tree Python?
A Green Tree Python is a wild snake from New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia. This page is a species briefing, not a shopping guide. Most people should not keep one; many species here are unsafe, illegal, or both as pets.
Fear, fashion and the exotic-pet trade all distort this animal. The Green Tree Python belongs in New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, in the habitat that produced a medium (1.5–2 m) arboreal, striking from branches species. Killing “pests”, buying wild-caught animals, or posing with them for photos all make the conservation problem worse.
If a Green Tree Python is already in accredited care, follow specialist veterinary and licensing rules. If it is not, do not start. The honest next step is the species guide and, where WARN funds relevant work, the appeal linked from this page.
What is a Green Tree Python?
Emerald coil over rainforest branches — heavily collected for the pet trade. Origin is New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia; coat or markings are described as Adults vivid emerald green with white or yellow scattered scales; some populations show blue highlights. Juveniles hatch yellow, red or maroon before ontogenetic colour change at 12–24 months. Smooth scales with white speckling. Coil draped over branches in characteristic saddle posture — never pull a coiled green tree python from a perch..
Treat “species” here as a library label for a wild species or distinct form, not as a kennel-club product.
Where does the Green Tree Python come from?
Green Tree Pythons come from New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia. Green tree pythons inhabit lowland and montane rainforest of New Guinea, surrounding islands, eastern Indonesia and Cape York Peninsula, Australia.
They were historically confused with the unrelated emerald tree boa of South America due to convergent green colouration and arboreal habit. Wild collection for the pet trade from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea peaked in the 1980s and 1990s. Captive breeding programmes in Europe, North America and Malaysia now supply most pet green tree pythons. Ontogenetic colour change from juvenile red or yellow to adult green is among the most dramatic in snakes. Locality-specific forms — Biak, Aru, Manokwari — show variation in size, colour and temperament. CITES Appendix II listing applies to international trade.
What does a Green Tree Python actually need?
A wild Green Tree Python needs the habitat and social system of New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, not a spare room. Size (Medium (1.5–2 m)) and a arboreal, striking from branches life history are why private keeping fails.
In the wild that means connected habitat, a diet the species evolved with, and distance from the pet and selfie trades. Captive “care sheets” for wild snakes are how trafficking gets laundered as husbandry.
If you already work in accredited rescue, follow specialist protocols and licensing. Everyone else: do not acquire a Green Tree Python. Support habitat and anti-trafficking work instead.
What surprises people about the Green Tree Python?
A few details about the breed, alongside the practical care information in this guide.
- Green tree pythons hatch yellow or red and turn green with age — one of the most dramatic colour changes in snakes.
- They rest coiled over branches in a saddle posture unique among pythons.
- Convergent evolution produced similar green colour in the unrelated emerald tree boa of South America.
- Biak locality green tree pythons show larger size and more aggressive temperament than Aru forms.
What health issues should you know about in a Green Tree Python?
Health concerns to discuss with your vet, including changes to watch for and everyday care. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Stress in improper captivity
Excessive handling, incorrect perch setup and visible open spaces cause chronic stress, refusal to feed and defensive striking in green tree pythons.
Care: Provide visual security, appropriate perches and minimal handling. Allow acclimatisation weeks after arrival before any interaction.
Illegal wild harvest
Wild green tree pythons are collected from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea for export despite captive breeding availability.
Care: Purchase captive-bred animals only. Support conservation of New Guinea rainforest habitat.
Thermal burns from heat lamps
Arboreal pythons resting close to unguarded heat lamps suffer burns on dorsal scales — common in improperly set up enclosures.
Care: Use thermostats and guard heat sources. Position perches so snakes cannot contact bare bulbs or ceramic emitters.
Who should skip a Green Tree Python?
Skip a Green Tree Python if you are anyone hoping to keep a Green Tree Python as a pet or photo prop. This New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia snake is medium (1.5–2 m) and arboreal, striking from branches — the mismatch is usually lifestyle, not a missing accessory.
This page is allowed to say no. Skip if you are anyone hoping to keep a Green Tree Python as a pet or photo prop. Skip if you are anyone who will pay for a wild-caught or roadside animal. Skip if you are tourists looking for handling or selfies.
A different snake species on this site may fit. Wanting “a Green Tree Python” after a film or a colour photo is not a reason to ignore the skip list.
What are the hidden catches with a Green Tree Python?
The hidden cost of a Green Tree Python is usually not the purchase price. It is years of care, the health list on this page, and the mismatch between a arboreal, striking from branches animal and a busy home.
The pet-trade catch
Cute infant Green Tree Pythons in ads were usually taken from wild families. The adult you cannot house is then dumped, euthanised, or passed on. Do not create that demand.
The tourism catch
Paying to hold, ride, or selfie with a Green Tree Python funds the next capture or a stressed ambassador animal. Distance and accredited viewing are the ethical default.
The stress in improper captivity catch
Excessive handling, incorrect perch setup and visible open spaces cause chronic stress, refusal to feed and defensive striking in green tree pythons. Provide visual security, appropriate perches and minimal handling. Allow acclimatisation weeks after arrival before any interaction.
The illegal wild harvest catch
Wild green tree pythons are collected from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea for export despite captive breeding availability. Purchase captive-bred animals only. Support conservation of New Guinea rainforest habitat.
How does a Green Tree Python compare with Burmese Python and Eastern Garter Snake?
A Green Tree Python is not interchangeable with Burmese Python and Eastern Garter Snake. Compare origin, size, lifespan and temperament before you choose — those four lines prevent most regret.
| Snake fact | Green Tree Python | Burmese Python | Eastern Garter Snake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia | South-east Asia | North America |
| Size | Medium (1.5–2 m) | Very large (4–5 m) | Small (50–70 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10–30 years depending on species | 10–30 years depending on species | 10–30 years depending on species |
| Temperament | Arboreal, striking from branches | Powerful constrictor, invasive in Florida | Harmless, active, semi-aquatic |
What is the verdict on the Green Tree Python?
A Green Tree Python is a wild snake to understand and protect, not a pet to acquire. If you came here to buy one, the verdict is no. If you came here to learn, use the species guide next.
Help looks like habitat, enforcement and refusing the trade — not a cage in a spare room. WARN is a CIC, not a charity; donate only if you want to fund partner work in our network countries, and do not expect Gift Aid.
Snakes keep ecosystems healthy
Snakes control rodents and serve as prey for raptors — yet persecution and habitat loss remove them silently. WARN publishes these guides to reduce fear-driven killing in Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia and beyond.
