Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) (origin: Northern Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia). Adult size around 150–200 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Brown tree snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 200×100×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cat-eyed/night tree snakes, arboreal).
Brown tree snake: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 31 °C, at night 22–24 °C.
Brown tree snake: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Brown tree snake: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Brown tree snake: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 22–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 31 °C
- Humidity
- 65–80 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 200×100×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cat-eyed/night tree snakes, arboreal)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, climbing branches, planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice, chicks, lizard substitutes
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 150–200 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Northern Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia
- Protection status
- Mildly venomous (rear-fanged); notorious as an invasive species on Guam
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A nocturnal, very agile tree snake with large eyes. Known as the introduced species that wiped out the bird life on Guam. Irritable, but barely dangerous to humans.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila) – Intermediate
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 200×100×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, cat-eyed/night tree snakes, arboreal)), substrate (Coco humus, climbing branches, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braune_Nachtbaumnatter, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Boiga&species=irregularis
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).