Is this safe? (quick but important question)

Hey, I like to use an oil warmer to scent the air. I use high quality stuff that is from the source itself.
I must ask, Is it safe to burn oil (essential oils) in the same room as a ball python?
I am using tea tree oil to burn. It is 10 feet from the cage, which is on the floor, while the warmer is elevated from it.

I would advise against burning anything with smoke or fumes in a room with a snake. They only have one functioning lung, and unlike you or I they do not have diaphragms, and can not cough or sneeze to expel irritants. Keep it to a separate room, away from the snake.

Actually ball pythons have two functioning lungs as do all Pythons and Boas, you're thinking of colubrids. I would think that as long as it's not constantly exposed to the fumes and it's only an occasional thing, it should be fine.

Also they can "sneeze" by constricting their ribs rapidly which is how they breath anyways as well as all other reptiles. They contract their ribs thus compressing their lung/lungs unlike mammals that use a diaphragm to do it. I have heard my big BCI girl expel air rapidly to blow out dust from her nostrils after she burrows around in her aspen sometimes. Its also how they hiss.

so, its okay?
I burned a little earlier and she was quite active (it was night time).
I washed my hands thoroughly before handling her so I had no oil. I picked her up and listened for any wheezing. She has none and no respiratory discharge.

I think it is debatable. And everyone will have their opinion on the subject.

Look at smokers, they have been smoking in the presence of their pets for like forever. Are they affected? I'm sure some have, some not. I've lost several dogs to cancer from a nonsmoking environment.

Your environment, your pet, the choice is yours.

I use more expensive and better quality oils for best results. The stuff I got for $9.00 at walgreens was mild and pleasant. In fact, It made Mangle much more active at night.
The cheaper oils I got at walmart were problematic. they were only $2.50 Their aroma was strong, but also painful. If I innaled any of its fumes by accident, I was coughing up a lung. It was 50 degrees outside, so I was warm enough to open a window to let the rooms air circulate. Mangle is completely fine with no wheezing or discharge. I like the more expensive one better due t obeyer quality.

Why don't you put the oil literally anywhere else in your house besides the snake room or right where you keep the snake? I'd think if you keep the snake in an open area such as the living room, the expensive oil should be fine. But if you have a snake room I see no need to use the tea tree oil in that room. Why risk it? You know.


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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Also they can "sneeze" by constricting their ribs rapidly which is how they breath anyways as well as all other reptiles. They contract their ribs thus compressing their lung/lungs unlike mammals that use a diaphragm to do it. I have heard my big BCI girl expel air rapidly to blow out dust from her nostrils after she burrows around in her aspen sometimes. Its also how they hiss.

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I think I should have specified, they can't sneeze or cough reflexively. But yeah, honestly, I would say better safe than sorry. If it's a large, open room like a living room, you're probably safe, but if it's someplace small and enclosed like a bedroom, do it elsewhere. I should note that crawling around MORE isn't necessarily a GOOD sign in ball pythons. They like to chill mostly, so being very active and restless is maybe your snake trying to tell you it's finding something uncomfortable.