Well I don't know exactly about emeralds...but i have a green tree boa and he is very aggresive. As long as you like some gloves...he won't bite you...to hard. but make sure that he can not get his teeth caught on them. he cost me around 750...bet he is also genetic for the calico yellow morph. to start with you don't need a very large tank...but you will when he gets bigger...like all othe snakes. the only problem i have is keeping the humidity correct. i recomend an automatic mister..and some serame wrap on about the top half of the tank...it seems to be working for now.