Nice Day Out

Hello, I want to take some of my ball pythons let them outside, supervised of course. Is it possible for them to get mites if I let them on the grass? Thoughts?

Yes, it is possible. Some keepers think the risk is minimal, and some would never risk it.

Considering that I have what I feel is a large collection, I'm better off not letting them out. I was hoping they could stretch out and get some sun. :(

I wouldnt risk it. Not worth it in my opinion.

Many people let their snakes roam in the grass. I am not one of them. Overly worried? Quite possible.

Yeah, it is not worth the risk. I'm thinking about getting a rug and place it where there is a lot of sun in the living room. At least that is something.

I'm puzzled as to why you want to get sun exposure for your naturally nocturnal Ball Python?

Because ball pythons are fragile and didn't evolve to be where they are today and any change in anything in their lives could cripple or kill them...

I think if your snake gets mites for 5 minutes of grass time, he won't die. There are plenty of ways to deal with mites. He will be fine if for some reason the odds are against you.

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Originally Posted by kilopular

Because ball pythons are fragile and didn't evolve to be where they are today and any change in anything in their lives could cripple or kill them.

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NO ONE suggested this, so you can roll the sarcasm train right back into the station.

So far this thread has been a conversation about risk management, and risks versus rewards. Yes, we all know how to deal with mites, and any one who doesn't can find about 6,000 threads on the subject on this website. Just because I know how to get rid of mites, in no way, shape, or form, means that I want to go through the process.

If you want to go out and let your snakes slither through the grass, please feel free to get it on, but that does not make the practice right for everyone.

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Originally Posted by Slim

NO ONE suggested this, so you can roll the sarcasm train right back into the station.

So far this thread has been a conversation about risk management, and risks versus rewards. Yes, we all know how to deal with mites, and any one who doesn't can find about 6,000 threads on the subject on this website. Just because I know how to get rid of mites, in no way, shape, or form, means that I want to go through the process.

If you want to go out and let your snakes slither through the grass, please feel free to get it on, but that does not make the practice right for everyone.

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I apologize, it just boggles me sometimes that a simple few minutes outside is so drastic... I only have three snakes, but I just can't grasp the concept and everyone makes it sound so life or death to me. I may be blowing it out of proportion and I'll probably be yelled at for this. But I'm sorry. :(

I think part of the issue here is that mites spread in a captive collection so incredibly fast. Will taking your snake outside kill it? Absolutely not and no one said that. However if you have spent hundreds or thousands on a collection of animals then why risk it? Especially when there is no evidence that BPs even benefit from the sun.

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Just a thought, why not build an outdoor enclosure with open top, where you can watch your snake(s) while sunbathing? A sort of 'snake run' if you will. Put some astroturf down inside, throw it in the washer between uses...I was thinking about something like this on my deck this summer....:snake:

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Originally Posted by kilopular

it just boggles me sometimes that a simple few minutes outside is so drastic...

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The point is, it may NOT be drastic...but it could be very inconvenient. It may be no problem at all....or it may be a big problem. It's all about knowing the risks so you can make an informed decision. For example, If I lived in the mid-west, where reptiles of any kind are not overly common in nature, I might not think twice about taking my BP out for a stroll. Chances of it finding reptile mites in the grass during a 5 minute jaunt probably are not that high. However, I live in Florida where you can't spit without it falling on a reptile, native or otherwise. I would not take the chance here due to the large number of naturally occurring reptile mites in the grass. Your mileage may vary...

EDIT: And I still maintain that the need to take your nocturnal snake out in the sun represents the need of the keeper, not the need of the snake. Yes, I like to see those natural sun light photos as much as the next person, but they can be taken without letting the animal roam the whole backyard.

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Originally Posted by Slim

Yes, I like to see those natural sun light photos as much as the next person, but they can be taken without letting the animal roam the whole backyard.

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True dat. ;)

I agree. I don't really care for the sun but I always think a nice fresh air could do us all some good. Also, I wanted to give them a chance to stretch out so I might just do that indoor.

I don't want to get a single mite because I know how fast they spread.

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Originally Posted by kilopular

I apologize, it just boggles me sometimes that a simple few minutes outside is so drastic... I only have three snakes, but I just can't grasp the concept and everyone makes it sound so life or death to me. I may be blowing it out of proportion and I'll probably be yelled at for this. But I'm sorry. :(

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I can totally understand where your coming from on this. When I first starting coming across these kinds of threads I was baffled as well. Lol my thinking was "How could going outside be bad for any animal when they all have been living outside since the beginning if time!?!" Going outside poses a risk to us all. If you take your dog outside it could get fleas, I think fleas are a hell of a lot worse to get rid of then snake mites but hey dogs are still going outside right? We still go outside even though everything potentially causes cancer, the air is bad, there are dangerous crazy people out that'll shoot ya for no reason but hey we all still go outside. If you want to take the risk of taking your snake out for a backyard adventure go ahead :) I do sometimes when it's nice and warm out I personally don't think it causes much harm at all. If you don't want to take the risk that's fine too doesn't matter to me either way. Just do what you want as long as you know the risks. Nothing is set in stone.


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