Green tree python vs. Emerald tree boa

[Shauna0522]

So I think I want one of these for my next snake...when and if I get one. Lol So I was wondering which of these is the better snake I've heard that the python is more docile than the emerald tree boa (but then I had always heard that the BRB was evil also and mine is a sweetheart even when she's in shed) how true is that? I'm guessing that the humidity and temperatures and stuff about the same as the BRB so that shouldn't be a problem if that is incorrect please let me know. And would I be able to keep two snakes in one enclosure of different species like a BRB and either the python or the boa not sure if they get along or not or how that would work anyway just food for thought just throwing it out there any information anybody could give me would be great thanks.

[IDvsEGO]

Everything I have read says two snakes in one enclosure is always a risk so I would avoid it.

[Scubadiver59]

Even breeders keep their snakes separate “most” of the time though there are some that keep the males and females together long term.

Keep in mind that you might have feeding issues, I.e. competition, so you might have to remove one snake to feed them separately. Also, there will be competition doe basking spots, hide occupation (for terrestrials), etc.

As far as dissimilar species in the same enclosure...I, personally, know of nobody doing that, and I, personally, wouldn’t recommend it.

[craigafrechette]

NO! DEFINITELY do NOT house them together.

There are very few species of snakes which can be housed together, most are solitary animals and housing them together is a HUGE no-no. And I definitely wouldn't house 2 different species together.

It is possible, but highly discouraged unless you have a HUGE enclosure and YEARS of experience with the species you would be cohabbing.

And not sure where you heard BRBs are evil. Maybe nippy as babies, but generally docile as far as snakes go.

[IDvsEGO]

And not sure where you heard BRBs are evil. Maybe nippy as babies, but generally docile as far as snakes go.

I heard this a lot too but mine is a sweetheart and still a youngster.

[craigafrechette]

I heard this a lot too but mine is a sweetheart and still a youngster.

I've never heard anything other than nippy when young. The juveniles I've handled were varied, some nippy some not. The adults I've handled were all pretty chill.

Since I added my Borneo STP last month a BRB will most likely be my next addition

[Shauna0522]

Ok not housed together...Got it. Lol I knew they would have to be in separate enclosures when they ate but I wasn't sure about the other stuff so that's fine no big deal.
So what about the differences in the snake what one is nicer than the other or are they both nice? Does one generally have a better personality than the other? All the info I can get would be great thank you for all your replies.

[Shauna0522]

I heard this a lot too but mine is a sweetheart and still a youngster.

Very pretty! Boy or girl?

[IDvsEGO]

Very pretty! Boy or girl?

not sure yet. was too young to be sexed when I bought it. Going to wait a for a bit more growth before trying.

[Shauna0522]

not sure yet. was too young to be sexed when I bought it. Going to wait a for a bit more growth before trying.
Well he/she is beautiful. ��
Here is my baby girl she is 5 months old.

https://i.imgur.com/igfQ695.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NbLzlYv.jpg

[Roman]

[...]So I was wondering which of these is the better snake I've heard that the python is more docile than the emerald tree boa (but then I had always heard that the BRB was evil also and mine is a sweetheart even when she's in shed) how true is that?

I have no personal experience with either emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus) or green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), however I was interested in both species some time ago and a friend of mine kept both of them, so I did ask him a lot of questions.

Both species are nocturnal (active at night), during daytime they rely on their camouflage coloration and will not move unless you really disturb them (like poking them in an eye). After lights out your Dr. Jekyll will turn into Mr Hyde. From what my friend told me both species will prowl their enclosure during nighttime and he told me he never opened the enclosure if he didn’t have to. These guys will lunge out for probably halve their body length (and thanks to their heat pits they can “see” you very good) and the teeth in the front of their mouth are really long. Some years ago I asked a keeper of Morelia viridis if a leather welding glove would protect you against a bite from an adult, he only laughed and told me it would not be enough but to wear the glove anyway, the blood from the bite wound would stay within the glove and wouldn’t soil the carpet…

So in my opinion both of these snakes are strictly display snakes, nothing to play with. Trying to “tame” them through frequent handling will most likely result in a stressed snake and a lot of bite marks.

[the_flaxseed]

I totally get your fascination with either of those snakes! I love arboreal snakes and ETBs are my preference if I ever get one. That being said, as Roman stated, both Green Tree Pythons and Emerald Tree Boas are nearly impossible to tame to a snake that can be handled no matter how frequently you handle them. Some people state that they tamed their ETBs and I believe them, but I have never seen it done in person and bet that many more factors than simply frequent handling went into taming the snakes. Arboreal snakes in general tend to bite first and ask questions later and the ones I have seen in person have always been tempermental at best!

They are both beautiful snakes that I would love to have, but my friends that have them keep them as display snakes only and quite honestly, they dread going into the enclosure just to clean it. That's not to say they aren't enjoyable snakes to keep, but if you are getting them with the expectation that you are one day going to tame it down and be able to handle it, they might not be the best snakes for you.

[EL Ziggy]

Two words...carpet python :).

j/k GTPs and ETBs are both stunning snakes. Either one would be a great addition.

[MDT]

Two words...carpet python :).

The Zig does not lie...

[Shauna0522]

I have no personal experience with either emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus) or green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), however I was interested in both species some time ago and a friend of mine kept both of them, so I did ask him a lot of questions.

Both species are nocturnal (active at night), during daytime they rely on their camouflage coloration and will not move unless you really disturb them (like poking them in an eye). After lights out your Dr. Jekyll will turn into Mr Hyde. From what my friend told me both species will prowl their enclosure during nighttime and he told me he never opened the enclosure if he didn’t have to. These guys will lunge out for probably halve their body length (and thanks to their heat pits they can “see” you very good) and the teeth in the front of their mouth are really long. Some years ago I asked a keeper of Morelia viridis if a leather welding glove would protect you against a bite from an adult, he only laughed and told me it would not be enough but to wear the glove anyway, the blood from the bite wound would stay within the glove and wouldn’t soil the carpet…

So in my opinion both of these snakes are strictly display snakes, nothing to play with. Trying to “tame” them through frequent handling will most likely result in a stressed snake and a lot of bite marks.

I totally get your fascination with either of those snakes! I love arboreal snakes and ETBs are my preference if I ever get one. That being said, as Roman stated, both Green Tree Pythons and Emerald Tree Boas are nearly impossible to tame to a snake that can be handled no matter how frequently you handle them. Some people state that they tamed their ETBs and I believe them, but I have never seen it done in person and bet that many more factors than simply frequent handling went into taming the snakes. Arboreal snakes in general tend to bite first and ask questions later and the ones I have seen in person have always been tempermental at best!

They are both beautiful snakes that I would love to have, but my friends that have them keep them as display snakes only and quite honestly, they dread going into the enclosure just to clean it. That's not to say they aren't enjoyable snakes to keep, but if you are getting them with the expectation that you are one day going to tame it down and be able to handle it, they might not be the best snakes for you.

Thank you so much that is what I wanted to know I love those snakes they are so beautiful both of them but I want to be able to handle my snakes and not worry about cleaning and what not. 😥

[Shauna0522]

The Zig does not lie...

Two words...carpet python :).

j/k GTPs and ETBs are both stunning snakes. Either one would be a great addition.

Ok I will go research carpet python are there any others I should look into or any other boas? Do carpet pythons like to climb as well? I would like to stick with something similar in size to the brb or maybe a little smaller like 4'.

[craigafrechette]

Thank you so much that is what I wanted to know I love those snakes they are so beautiful both of them but I want to be able to handle my snakes and not worry about cleaning and what not. 😥

So you let 2 people with zero hands-on experience talk you out of wanting these species that quickly??
Do some more research if they are really something you may want.
I also have no hands-on experience, but have known people who handled theirs without hesitation during the day. They did say nighttime was a different story though.
Do yourself a favor, dive a little deeper into your research if this is something you may really want.

[Roman]

So you let 2 people with zero hands-on experience talk you out of wanting these species that quickly??
Do some more research if they are really something you may want.
I also have no hands-on experience, but have known people who handled theirs without hesitation during the day. They did say nighttime was a different story though.
Do yourself a favor, dive a little deeper into your research if this is something you may really want.

I don’t want to talk Shauna out of keeping them. The question was if either Morelia viridis or Corallus caninus could be handled on a regular basis and that’s what my advice was all about, to not try to handle them frequently. During daytime doing maintenance in the enclosure shouldn’t be a problem and getting them out if you have to is no big deal most of the time, depending on the individual snake you have.

Just keep in mind that daytime is the time of day they use for rest/sleep, so disturbing them means disturbing their sleep and causing additional stress for them, so I would only do so if I had to. That’s what I meant with “display only” snakes.

BTW, the episode about biting through gloves was from a keeper of Corallus caninus, not Morelia, I mixed this up yesterday.

[Shauna0522]

So you let 2 people with zero hands-on experience talk you out of wanting these species that quickly??
Do some more research if they are really something you may want.
I also have no hands-on experience, but have known people who handled theirs without hesitation during the day. They did say nighttime was a different story though.
Do yourself a favor, dive a little deeper into your research if this is something you may really want.

Ok well for starters I didn't exactly say I wasn't still thinking about it. I really think that is what I want and of course I will do more research lots of research. But I will research others also. Which is the smartest thing for me to do because I won't be getting a temporary baby. Animals are for life and I want to make sure that whatever I decided to do is going to be a good fit for me.

Thank you Roman for that correction. 😃

[craigafrechette]

Ok well for starters I didn't exactly say I wasn't still thinking about it. I really think that is what I want and of course I will do more research lots of research. But I will research others also. Which is the smartest thing for me to do because I won't be getting a temporary baby. Animals are for life and I want to make sure that whatever I decided to do is going to be a good fit for me.

Thank you Roman for that correction. 😃


Glad to hear it. I just felt like you may be missing out if you just let a few comments steer you away from something you may potentially love. Do your homework and only you can decide what's best for you. Good luck and keep us posted

[Captain837]

I have never had an emerald tree boa. I did however have a few Chondros years ago. I had an Aru female that was puppy dog tame. She was easily removed from her enclosure and would just hang out on you or wherever you put her. But as stated above, after dark was no no time. They go in feeding mode and should be avoided.
My biaks were a different story, pretty sure they were crossed with a tokay gecko or a demon at some point. Typically local does make a difference with attitude and gtp's but remember every individual can be different.
As neonate you want to avoid handling much because they are very fragile.
If you are really interested in getting a chondro I highly recommend getting a book called "The complete chondro" or its sequel "the more complete chondro". Both are excellent sources of necessary information and they dispel a lot of myths regarding these interesting snakes.

[Shauna0522]

Glad to hear it. I just felt like you may be missing out if you just let a few comments steer you away from something you may potentially love. Do your homework and only you can decide what's best for you. Good luck and keep us posted

I understand I apologize if I sounded snooty and it will be quite awhile before I decide what I'm going to do but I will definitely keep you posted.

[Shauna0522]

I have never had an emerald tree boa. I did however have a few Chondros years ago. I had an Aru female that was puppy dog tame. She was easily removed from her enclosure and would just hang out on you or wherever you put her. But as stated above, after dark was no no time. They go in feeding mode and should be avoided.
My biaks were a different story, pretty sure they were crossed with a tokay gecko or a demon at some point. Typically local does make a difference with attitude and gtp's but remember every individual can be different.
As neonate you want to avoid handling much because they are very fragile.
If you are really interested in getting a chondro I highly recommend getting a book called "The complete chondro" or its sequel "the more complete chondro". Both are excellent sources of necessary information and they dispel a lot of myths regarding these interesting snakes.

How old are they to be considered a neonate? Do you happen to know why are they so much more fragile then other snakes? I will definitely look into finding those books thank you for the information.

[Captain837]

How old are they to be considered a neonate? Do you happen to know why are they so much more fragile then other snakes? I will definitely look into finding those books thank you for the information.

It is not necessarily an age but a size thing. When they are little their spine and tail is very small and fragie. That coupled with the way they attatch to their perches can cause injury if removed incorrectly. Also, never purchase a young gtp (less than a year) that has been sexed. Sexing can also injure them when they are that small.

[IDvsEGO]

From what I read, they have a different bone structure that allows them to lock into positions while in the trees. As small snake they are easier to break if they are uncoiled by a handler. That may be off base but it's what was explained to me. I know enough about these to know I need to buy the book before I buy the snake.

[craigafrechette]

I understand I apologize if I sounded snooty and it will be quite awhile before I decide what I'm going to do but I will definitely keep you posted.


No worries and no apology necessary.

I've just seen it happen before that people were "talked out of" getting a certain species, and ended up regretting their decision and wishing they got the snake they originally wanted.

I just encourage you to do what is best for you and your potential new pet.

[the_flaxseed]

So you let 2 people with zero hands-on experience talk you out of wanting these species that quickly??
Do some more research if they are really something you may want.
I also have no hands-on experience, but have known people who handled theirs without hesitation during the day. They did say nighttime was a different story though.
Do yourself a favor, dive a little deeper into your research if this is something you may really want.

Just to clarify, my comment wasn't intended to dissuade her from getting either of the two snakes that she mentioned and if it appeared that way, my apologies. I intend to get at least one and possibly both of them and in the process of doing my own research on keeping them.

It is my understanding that both of these types of snakes CAN be very aggressive and TEND to be seen as difficult snakes to care for for that very reason. I think that to go into keeping one of these snakes with the expectation of it being puppy-dog tame is unrealistic. A lot likely depends on the individual snake. Can it happen, definitely! But the people I have spoken to, whose judgement I trust, have warned that they are more difficult than, say, a BRB or Red-Tail.

There is a breeder called Zoodreams on instagram and they specialize in arboreal snakes, such as both of the snakes in question. They have beautiful specimens that they handle frequently in their videos. It's awesome! Their experience is obviously much different than those of my friends that own these snakes!

[Captain837]

It is my understanding that both of these types of snakes CAN be very aggressive and TEND to be seen as difficult snakes to care for for that very reason. I think that to go into keeping one of these snakes with the expectation of it being puppy-dog tame is unrealistic. A lot likely depends on the individual snake. Can it happen, definitely!

If you read either of the two books I recommended (considered the bibles of gtp's by many) you would likely change your opinion on that.

[the_flaxseed]

If you read either of the two books I recommended (considered the bibles of gtp's by many) you would likely change your opinion on that.

Just bought the More Complete Chondro online.