Walking

[Sirensong26]

Hey All
I was wondering (and I searched the forum but couldn't find anything about it), if it would be okay to take my ball with me when I go for walks around the neighbourhood, or around my neck when I go to something like a festival. I enjoy showing her off because of her colours, but I don't want to if it's bad for her (granted it's warm enough of course, I live in Canada and I don't want a snakesicle).

[Eric Alan]

This isn't something that's considered fun for your BP and is typically stressful for them to do so. While they are out in the open, they are not being kept as safe and secure as they like to be when they're at home in their nice, warm hide. Unfamiliar surroundings can make them fearful, and this can cause different reactions in different snakes. In addition, you do not know how the general public will react to your BP riding around with you. There is no reason to make either your snake or the people around you uncomfortable just because you want to show him off.

Also, I would absolutely not recommend bringing your BP to a reptile show (many of them actually prohibit the public from doing so). You never know what kinds of scary things your snake may come home with after being around so many people with possibly questionable husbandry in their own collections.

If you want to show off your snake, why not take a bunch of fun pictures and share with us? Who better to appreciate your baby than 43,000 of your closest internet friends?

[dr del]

Hi,

Generally we don't say it is a good idea for several reasons ( you can judge the validity of them yourself ).

Temps generally will not be as ideal as letting the snake thermoregulate in their enclosure. We give them a temp range because we rarely know what they feel they need at the time.

There are enough people scared of snakes to make it a bad idea for the hobby to have people unexpectedly encounter one where they wouldn't expect. For every person you convert because they came up to ask you and learn more then there were probably more who freaked out and left - and mentioned their "scare" to friends etc.

When so many people seem set on limiting or restricting the hobby it is always a good idea to present yourself and your animals as an example of good husbandry well practised, including respecting others opinions. While any fears may be seen as foolish or unfounded to us the less negative press opportunities we give them the better for all of us in the future.

In tandem with the above there is nothing in it for the animal. Harsh, you may say, but if it doesn't gain your pet anything why do it?

Talking to schools or similar about educational displays is a better idea though you may want to look into any insurance or permits required.

Just my 2c.

[Sirensong26]

Thanks to both of you for the advice. And I will absolutely take pictures and share them with everyone I'm a first time owner, and while I eventually want to get into breeding, I want to learn how to care for these gorgeous creatures before I jump in. It wasn't a reptile show, it was a festival near my hometown that I am going to this weekend.

[Sirensong26]

Another question I have is this...is it possible to tell when a BP is close to defecating so that when it happens, it's not all over me? She's starting to get this look where she's thicker near the tail and the vent, and then really abruptly tapered into her tail.

[dr del]

It's not foolproof but "sausage butt" is a good indicator on what to expect.

And if it is the kind of "Festival" I'm thinking the last thing you should think about doing is taking a living, breathing animal with you.

[albinos_rule]

So what is "sausage butt" sorry, but I have never heard that term before...LOL

[albinos_rule]

Anyway back to the OP question, no I don't, nor would I recommend displaying my animals that way. Don't be offended, but I think it is just being a "show off" and some people don't like seeing snakes like that. NOW with that being said I do belong to the local herp society, and I have shown my snakes for educational purposes. Maybe some think it is the same thing as being a show off, but I see it different. To each his own I guess, and if you feel comfortable doing I then it is your decision.

[alan12013]

I can tell when my BP's are going to poop. Not just by the looks since that only seems to work on a couple but timing is huge. I've found that 3 days after feeding I will handle them for 10 minutes each. The next time I go into the reptile room they have all pooped. It doesn't have to be 3 days but it usually is that they go right after I handle them the first time after eating. That's cool that you want to breed them. Why Ball Pythons though over something else? I' also glad to hear that you want to learn about them first and how to take care of them! Making sure the animals have exceptional husbandry is an invaluable trait fora breeder to have.