Emerald Tree Boa — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Emerald Tree Boa get?

An adult Emerald Tree Boa typically measures 1.5–1.8 m.

Husbandry requirements

Emerald Tree Boa — origin: Northern South America — the Guiana Shield: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, northern Brazil and Colombia. Not to be confused with Corallus batesii, the Amazon Basin form..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

A canopy snake very sensitive to overheating: do NOT exceed ~31-32 °C. No true hot spot or basking lamp (a nocturnal forest species) — favour gentle ambient warmth and a gradient. The nocturnal drop to 22-24 °C is beneficial.

Enclosure (adult)

90 × 60 × 90 cm

Vertical arboreal terrarium, well ventilated

Height is the priority. Install several horizontal perches (sturdy branches) at different levels and temperatures. A volume of 120x60x120 cm or more is recommended for a large adult. Good ventilation is essential to avoid stagnant air.

Humidity

60–90 %

Cycle the humidity: ~80-90% at night and after misting, letting it fall back to 60-70% during the day. Combine high humidity with good ventilation; stagnant, humid air promotes respiratory infections.

Substrate

Cypress mulchCoconut fibre or barkSphagnum moss

A substrate that retains moisture but drains well. Watch for mould and stagnant humidity; renew regularly.

UVB

Optional

Not essential (nocturnal species). A low-intensity UVB (T5 tube ~5%, Ferguson zone 1) can be beneficial if provided with accessible shaded areas.

Water source

Always available

A large bowl of clean water renewed regularly. The animal drinks mainly the droplets deposited on its body and the branches after spraying; mist regularly to maintain hydration and humidity.

Origin

Boidae

Northern South America — the Guiana Shield: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, northern Brazil and Colombia. Not to be confused with Corallus batesii, the Amazon Basin form.

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore — Rodents (mice, young rat sized to the snake's girth)

A reactive feeder: feed with tongs, at night, using thawed prey. Moderate, spaced-out meals (slow metabolism) to avoid obesity and regurgitation. Listed under CITES Appendix II (EU Annex B): proof of origin required; favour captive-bred (CBB) individuals, as wild-caught animals are fragile and often parasitised.

Breeding

Viviparous

Gestation of about 6-7 months; sexual maturity around 3-4 years. A slight seasonal cooling stimulates breeding. The newborns (red/orange) require high humidity and are prone to dehydration.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (insufficient ventilation, stagnant humidity, temperatures too low)
Regurgitation (handling after a meal, unsuitable temperatures or prey too large)
Dehydration and difficult shedding (dysecdysis) when humidity is insufficient
Internal parasites, especially in wild-caught animals (nematodes, protozoa)
Thermal stress / hyperthermia: overheating can be rapidly fatal

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Emerald Tree Boa.

Melanistic (Hypothetical/Rare) blackRec
Anerythristic (Blue?)Rec

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Emerald Tree Boa × Emerald Tree Boa

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the emerald tree boa.

How big does an adult Emerald Tree Boa get?▾

An adult Emerald Tree Boa typically measures 1.5–1.8 m (total adult length. a more slender species, slightly smaller than corallus batesii. ontogenic colour change: red or orange newborns turn green between 6 and 12 months. characteristic large front teeth.).

What temperature and humidity does a Emerald Tree Boa need?▾

A gradient of roughly 24–26 °C on the cool side to 28–30 °C on the warm side. Humidity 60–90 %.

What does a Emerald Tree Boa eat?▾

Carnivore: Rodents (mice, young rat sized to the snake's girth).

Is the Emerald Tree Boa a good reptile for beginners?▾

Advanced level. Defensive, with a reputation as a biter ('nippy'), equipped with very large front teeth. Wild-caught animals are particularly irritable and tricky to acclimatise; captive-bred (CBB) individuals are calmer but remain reactive feeders. Handling should be kept to the strict minimum. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 15–20 yrs.

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