How to Hold a Green Tree Python

The green tree python is an arboreal snake native to the lowland rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. Juvenile snakes have a striking bright orange to red coloration that fades to a vivid emerald green as the snakes mature. Adults can grow up to seven-feet long and live exclusively in the rainforest canopy. Due to their size and arboreal nature, handling green tree pythons in captivity requires special consideration and care to prevent injury to the snake and avoid making it feel threatened, which may lead it to strike.

Things You'll Need

  • Soap
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash your hands thoroughly with a scent-free soap to remove any lingering smells on your skin. Green tree pythons, like all snakes, have a highly developed sense of smell and the scent of soaps or foods on your skin may irritate the snake and make it more aggressive when you are attempting to handle it.

    • 2

      Place your hand under the lowest coils of the green tree python and gently lift the snake. Green tree pythons often have a secure grip on the branch that they are resting on and lifting them gently encourages the snake to move on its own into your arms.

    • 3

      Support as much of the body as you can with your arms and always use slow movements to adjust the direction of the snake as it moves. Often, green tree pythons will simply coil up and rest on your arm like they would a tree branch.

    • 4

      Return the snake to its enclosure using gentle movements after five to 10 minutes of handling. With regular handling, green tree pythons will get used to being held, but they are not social creatures and do not tolerate extended periods of handling outside of their enclosure before they become irritable and aggressive.