High altitude: a need for concern?

Hi there!

I have a question regarding altitude change, and if/how it may affect my 8 month old ball python, Avani. I'm going to be moving in a few days, and though I've already done a ton of research on moving with a snake, but it dawned on me today that there may be a need for further accommodations or precautions to make her transition to our new home as smooth as possible.

My current elevation is roughly 2500 ft, and we'll be moving on up to somewhere around 7500ft. Not a massive jump, I know, but it's enough that I feel differences in my own body when traveling up and down, so I want to make sure that it's not going to be a problem for Avani.

Sorry if this question seems naive or paranoid, I just want to make sure my girl remains healthy and comfortable. :)

Thanks!
-Allegra

I have never seen any studies or discussions on this subject. Ill be watching to see what others have to say.
Good question.

I don't have any scientific proof, but I believe you'll be fine. The reason I say that is there are people from all kinds of altitudes here on this site and I've not heard anyone of them say that if affects their snakes. In addition, when snakes are shipped out, they are subject to different altitudes. Most of my purchased snakes were shipped to me and they don't seem to have any problems.

Thanks for the response! I assumed it would probably be fine, but would have hated to overlook some small detail that would cause her harm or discomfort. I personally get a lot of sometimes painful pressure built up in my ears from the change in elevation. Obviously I'm not a snake, but still, I wanted to make sure that she wouldn't suffer similar ill effects.

I moved three of my snakes from KS to CO just three weeks ago. They went from 800' to 6,500' (I was just at 13,470 today, myself - hiked up Horn Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range in southern CO). They are fine and the two that are good eaters have each eaten two rats and shed since getting here, not to mention that I beleive that the one that is breeding size has locked with the male that came from KS with her (the male is a picky eater and the fact that he hasn't eaten isn't surprising, especially given that he is being paired with two females right now). Good luck with the move.

I asked the same question when I was planning on moving to CO two years ago. I never did actually move, but the responses I got to the question were basically the exact same here so far. There shouldn't be a problem. Good luck with the move!

My parents live on a mountain, so when I first moved out several years ago, and took all my collection with me, they went from almost 3000' to pretty much sea level. The first couple weeks their eating was spotty, but that could have been entirely due to just moving locations. Aside from that, no issues - so you should probably be fine.

-Jen

Reptiles in general don't use as much oxygen as us mammals do, snakes at least don't have a tympanum ear so there is not the same pressure concerns. I would guess that until you get radically lower levels of oxygen there would be no problem as long as temps are maintained.

You will be fine. Just keep them warm.