Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus) (origin: The Guiana Shield, northern South America). Adult size around 150–180 cm. Life expectancy 20+ years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Emerald tree boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 135×90×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, tree boas, arboreal).
Emerald tree boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–29 °C, basking spot 30–31 °C, at night 22–24 °C.
Emerald tree boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Weak UVB recommended.
Emerald tree boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20+ years.
Emerald tree boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 22–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–31 °C
- Humidity
- 80–95 %
- UVB
- Weak UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 135×90×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, tree boas, arboreal)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, horizontal resting branches, dense planting
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- adults every 14–21 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 150–180 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20+ years
- Origin
- The Guiana Shield, northern South America
- Protection status
- CITES II
- 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
Like C. batesii, very sensitive to heat and stress. The young are red to orange and only turn green later.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Amazon tree boa (Corallus batesii) – Expert
- Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus) – Intermediate
- Annulated tree boa (Corallus annulatus) – Expert
- Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Guyana (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Peru (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa – Suriname (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
- True red-tailed boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 135×90×200 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, tree boas, arboreal)), substrate (Coco humus, horizontal resting branches, dense 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: 7 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BCner_Hundskopfschlinger, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_tree_boa, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Corallus&species=caninus
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).