Taking BP out and about?

[goalie35]

Hello everyone,
Just curious if anyone has done something like this before, or has input about it. I know people bring snakes to schools and what not so they are out of their enclosures for a period of time and they seem to be fine. I am just curious if it would be fine to take mine out for a while and take him to a car show in town this summer. I set up a rubber maid container that has a rectangle shape cut out of the top for ventilation/sunlight to get in and covered it with mesh that people use for screen doors. I'll fill it with the same substrate I use in his tank and put a water dish in there too. Should he be fine in there when I'm not walking around with him/holding him? I wouldn't let people just come up and touch him cause I don't wanna stress him a ton. Please let me know. Thanks!

[dr del]

Hi,

To be honest I wouldn't.

Not just because it is taking the snake out of a properly controlled environment for an extended time for no reason but because the people at the car show cannot reasonably be expected to have prepared for encountering a snake.

What if somone is phobic?

What if the snake escapes or gets stolen?

There are just too many opportunities for it to go wrong and end up as seriously bad publicity for not only yourself but for the hobby in general.

You can do handling and encounter sessions but it needs a lot of pre-planning and approval etc.

If you are talking about having a booth offering that then talking to the car show organisers about what they would need would be the best start then discussing it with other people who run enounter sessions about the practicalities would be your best plan.

If you are going simply as a member of the public then it is all risk and no reward for the entire hobby.

Just my £0.0124568 ( adjusted for exchange rate )


dr del

[BigByrd47119]

Hello,

I feel like I should step in here for a moment. Being a new member I don't want to offend anyone but...

I personally would not take my snake out and about. Not because I worry about inducing some mass hysteria, or because it might get stolen. The reason for me is I feel its unnecessary and can only see the snake suffering at least to some extent.

But lets think about this. Is it possible that a snake which is being handled by a responsible owner may upset some people? Sure it is! Is that a good reason not to take a snake out and about? Absolutely not!

This is like suggesting that if I take my (imaginative) pit bull for a walk, it may cause a large amount of hysteria amongst the populace. Its possible that one or two people may be upset with me walking it in public, but unlikely that anyone would completely flip out. If someone has a phobia of snakes and they see you with one they will almost always just walk the other way and recall for some time "the man at the car show with a MONSTER/KILLER snake."

The entire reason behind why I got into snakes is because when I was 13ish a neighbor of ours had his BP outside and he was taking pics of it. I of course acted like many people who are ignorant of those who keep snakes and thought what a "nasty" creature it was! At least thats what I said until he offered to let me touch it. Touching turned into petting, petting in turn became holding, and before I knew it I HAD to have a snake for a pet.

What I am getting at here is that although you may upset some people by bringing the snake with you, its unlikely that you will make someone who already dislikes snakes, dislike them even more. Most people in these situations already have their minds made up! Its more likely that you will be presented with many, many, many opportunities to educate the public. Who knows, there may even be some that you convince into wanting one of their own!

Just keep in mind (as I am sure you will) the snakes well being if you do decide to take it along with you.

Just my two cents, and once again no offense intended to anyone.

Sorry for the long post,
BigByrd47119

[Vypyrz]

If you decide to do it, keep the tub out of the sun light...

[MazAnth]

Hi,

Just my £0.0124568 ( adjusted for exchange rate )


dr del

[goalie35]

i forgot to mention only 1/3 of the tub has the screen for air/sun so most of it is shaded/dark. i def. would keep it out of the sun when the snake is in it...its not that far from home (maybe 5 or 6 min drive) if i want to take him just for a few hours or so then bring him home.

[goalie35]

just thought id show oliver hanging out...
[IMG][/IMG]

[ctlfreak]

I take mine out and about all the time. I have had many people stop me and talk to me, I have also had people that hated snakes come up and question me and some even change their attitude a little, I had one lady that was terrified at first work up the nerve to hold her. I try not to take her out in extreme weather. I also usually keep her outings very short, no more than 5 hours usually less. I try to bring her a cage setup so if she starts getting nervous she can go feel safe, but honestly she appears to enjoy getting out. She is constantly watching and flicking her tongue and very eager to go to people when they come up. She either wraps around my neck or if I have a baggy pockets or a backpack she will get part way in and look out.

[Miko]

In the Summer in Seattle we have a street fair and a few people bring their snakes. I take my snake out in my back yard sometimes to slither in the grass and I've walked around with him before. It's good as long as your snake isn't out for too long and the place isn't overly crowded. My friend takes his snake everywhere with him and he seems to do fine and isn't stressed out by it. However, all snakes are different.

[SpartaDog]

I've taken Ramses to the last day of school and on several mall trips. However, I only do this when I know it will be warm enough and I keep him away from most people so as to avoid causing an uproar. I have been kicked out of Forever 21, though. I personally find it hilarious.