Snakes outside

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Originally Posted by Deborah

By outside you mean in your backyard? In public places?

In your backyard? Yes but remember not everyone like snakes and all it takes is one nosy neighbor to end up with problems . So keep that in mind if you do.

Public places? Absolutely NOT, people should not be subjected to your snakes, snake keepers are already under attack pretty much everywhere, there is no need to throw oil on the fire.

I take pictures of my animals outdoor in the summer but I live on 4 acres and have total privacy otherwise I would not do it.

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Yeah. No one has yet to show that snakes get any thrill or pleasure from being subjected to new people and places - in fact, it's just the opposite. As keepers we strive to keep them as stress free and secure as possible. As far as I'm concerned, people who drape a snake around their shoulders and prance through the park or visit the local pet store are doing it for their benefit, not for the snake's.

What benefit do they get? attention, a reaction, attention and even more attention. They either get good attention or they get bad attention. The bad attention is then turned into good attention when they post on the forums just how backwards and stupid the general public is for not being as enlightened as them, and then we all nod wisely and agree. Our fingers poised over our keyboards ready for a witty reply.

Nope, no one appointed me as an ambassador from the reptile kingdom to the human kingdom- so my animals stay at home. When I am asked, via a presentation, to bring my animals in public, I do so in a controlled manner (a classroom) and only with specimens who handle the stress well.

Over the years I have had representatives of some species that are more amenable to a jaunt in the backyard than others, and some that get acclimated to an area of the yard. These are calm animals that do not bolt and do not stress easily. These animals are also very rare in collections and are the exception to the rule.

When there are pages and pages of threads on this forum alone that deal with ball pythons getting spooked off of feed just from changing substrate or coming down with ailments from being subjected to stress, why subject your animal to this?

I would like to bring my girls out for some outdoor photos once things warm up. Other than that, I see no reason to take them out and about. I am very protective of my snakes, even taking Isabelle to the vet on Wednesday was a stressful endeavor that I don't want to attempt again in the immediate future, if I don't have to. (Granted, the temperature was a factor in that.) I trust no one, and I don't want the general public to know that I am carrying my girls with me, in the event I need to. My transport box is currently unmarked, and when I had izzy out, I was constantly watching my back for folks looking to snatch things. My biggest fear is getting my babies stolen if I have them out. Once they're out of my hands, there's no telling what someone could do with them, whether they realize they have something valuable and turn around to sell them, or freak out at first glimpse and kill them on the spot.

I trust no one in this world, especially with my most treasured possessions.

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If you enjoy letting your BP out for some fresh air, it's totally fun! They get to explore the place, and it's nice to give them a break from the monotony. I've taken mine outside a few times and he's always enjoyed it. He's never left unattended though, and I'm always a few feet away at most.

Some may argue that they can catch mites from being outside, but if you're keeping them indoors far more often than being outside, I don't see the harm in letting them explore a bit.