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Baron’s Green Racer (Philodryas baroni)
An adult Baron's Green Racer showing its slender, green body and pointed snout. This arboreal snake relies on camouflage and speed rather than brute force, and it comes with a built-in “air freshener” (musk) for those who handle it too roughly.
Data Sheet
| philodryas_baroni (serpentes) | |
|---|---|
| Profile Pic |  |
| Common Name | Baron's Green Racer |
| Scientific Name | Philodryas baroni |
| Other Names | Baron's Racer, Argentine Long-nosed Tree Snake, Baroni Racer |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | baroni |
| Species | baroni |
| Grouping | other |
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Basking Temperature | 85-90°F (29-32°C) |
| Cool End | 72-77°F (22-25°C) |
| Humidity Range | 30-60% |
| Notes | Venomous (rear fanged) |
Summary (Quick Reference)
| Adult Size: | ~150–180 cm (5–6 ft) total length; exceptionally up to ~210 cm (7 ft) 1) |
| Typical Mass: | ~500–800 g (slender-bodied colubrid) |
| Lifespan: | 15–25 years in captivity with proper care 2) |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate (rear-fanged, fast, and not for frequent handling) |
| Temperament: | Generally shy and flighty, will musk and flee when startled rather than bite3)4). Ensure enclosure is secure – these snakes are fast and excellent escape artists! |
| Enclosure (for Adults): | ~120×60×60 cm (4×2×2 ft) enclosure minimum. Larger (150×75×75 cm / 5×2.5×2.5 ft or more) is strongly recommended to accommodate this active, semi-arboreal snake 5) |
| Temperatures: | Basking spot ~32 °C (90 °F). Warm side ambient ~29 °C (84 °F). Cool side ~24 °C (75 °F) 6)7)Night Temperature: ~20 °C (68 °F) ambient. Can drop to ~13 °C (55 °F) during winter brumation if breeding . Avoid sustained <10 °C (50 °F). |
| Humidity: | ~40% day, 50–70% at night. Semi-arid overall (average <50% RH) 8). Increase to ~70% during shedding or provide a humid hide. Ensure moderate ventilation to prevent stagnation. |
| Hydration: | Fresh water bowl always available (they may not soak often, but will drink). Light misting 3–6× weekly to simulate dew – they prefer licking water droplets from leaves 9) |
| Lighting: | UVB: Not strictly required to survive, but highly recommended for long-term health. Use a low-intensity UVB (e.g. 5.0 or 6% T5 bulb) providing a UVI ~2–3 at the basking site. Photoperiod: ~13 hours in summer, 11 hours in winter 10) (simulate seasonal day length). Provide bright visible light by day; total darkness at night. |
| Diet (Captive): | Carnivorous – feeds readily on rodents (mice, young rats), and can take birds (quail chicks) or amphibian/reptile prey. Hatchlings: every 5 days 11); Juveniles: every 7 days; Adults: every 7–10 days. Prey ~1–1.5× the snake’s widest body diameter or ~10% of body weight 12). Prefer pre-killed/frozen-thawed to avoid rodent bite injuries. |
| Brumation: | Optional (not strictly needed for health) but recommended for breeding. Cool for ~2–3 months at ~12–15 °C (54–59 °F)13)14). Only brumate healthy, well-fed adults (see protocol below). |
| Notes: | Rear-Fanged Venomous: Possesses mild venom (opisthoglyphous); not dangerous to humans but bites can cause localized swelling 15)16). Use care when free-handling. |