does anyone?

Does anyone ever take there bp outside in the summer time and put them down in the grass? Just wondering.

I do. They seem to love it and you get great pictures out of it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eazyyyb

I do. They seem to love it and you get great pictures out of it!

---

Since they're nocturnal do you take them out at night?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Golem

Since they're nocturnal do you take them out at night?

---

I assume he means during the day, most people post pics in the daytime with there BPs/other snakes outside.

I do. I also have a short tree in the front yard I let my boas climb in.

I take my Boa out, he loves it. I usually take him out during the day and put him under a hide. Then, when he's ready, he comes out and goes exploring.

My BP was too small last year, but this year he'll also go out and play!

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...05608768_n.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

I take my Boa out, he loves it. I usually take him out during the day and put him under a hide. Then, when he's ready, he comes out and goes exploring.

My BP was too small last year, but this year he'll also go out and play!

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...05608768_n.jpg

---

How small it too small?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goddessbaby

How small it too small?

---

My BP was hatched in June. I like to give my sakes a few months without any handling to make sure they live stress free and grow well. It's not a rule, it's just my own choice.

Any danger of catching mites?

Especialy the shrubbery?

I think taking them out for alittle uv Rays is good for any living thing. People were a not so thrilled when I said that because balls are nocturnal. That. Being said they are not shaded form light there intire life.
Watch out for birds of prey, we have them in Cali
make sure no weed treatment ar fertilizer is on the lawn, we love are green grass. Shade is best but a pic in the sun to see all those butiful colors pop isn't giving your snake cancer. And stress!! If handling your snake stresses it and makes it sick you must be throwing it in the air like a pizza. You can tell when your snake is in a good mood a bad mood hungry constapated dehydrated pretty much everything and I have never seen a snake shy away frow a nice slither throw the grass on a nice day:)

I don't. My apartment is pet-friendly (obviously :P), but this means they spray all the lawn areas for fleas several times a year. Not sure if that would hurt a snake, but don't really want to take the chance. If I lived somewhere else I probably would take my BP out sometimes though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DVirginiana

I don't. My apartment is pet-friendly (obviously :P), but this means they spray all the lawn areas for fleas several times a year. Not sure if that would hurt a snake, but don't really want to take the chance. If I lived somewhere else I probably would take my BP out sometimes though.

---

could always try a park

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by se7en

could always try a park

---

I'm sure I'd get some interesting looks if I tried that :D

I enjoy taking them out in the summer time, every once and a while. Lawn and flower bed. Great time to photograph them, as mentioned.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...1203b5855d.jpg

I wanted to let mine chill outside but I have alot of garter snakes in my yard. I am sure they have mites and parasites and I'm worried he'll catch something. I counted at least 10 snakes at once in my backyard last year. Have any of you had any problems with that?

Thanks for all the posts on this topic. Summer seems a long way off right now but want to give this a try and had not even thought about the use of herbicides/pesticides. So I'll wait for a day or two after rain, that should wash any toxins off the grass.

I'm very excited to take my snakes out again this summer, it's the only time I can really get some good pics of everyone :D

We all agree that the one sign of a non-stressed or "happy" ball python is one that curls up in a nice tight hide during the day and - and roams at night - if so inclined. Right? It's what is aimed for in captive husbandry.

So I'm wondering (humor me here) if anyone can explain the signs of "happiness" in a ball python that is moving through the grass?

Being out in the open for a ball python means potentially being on some other animal's menu. It means insecurity. I'm just curious as to how some keepers are interpreting happiness in a snake.

Now before we start making assumptions, remember that studies have been done on signs of comfort and discomfort in snakes. Are you judging the behavior on these signs?

Or are we thinking that - like the family mutt - that a ball python enjoys a good run through the lawn?

We put a ball python in the tub and it either freezes up or swims frantically prompting the owner to assume that the snake is (a) either enjoying some laps and getting some exercise or (b) casually enjoying a soak.

How about the possibility that (a) the snake is frantically trying to get somewhere where it's not wet and in the open or (b) is frozen with fear?

Same with the romp in the yard. Try interpreting these behaviors in the context of what the snake wants and what the snake needs...the context of the natural history and evolution of the ball python.

If you want a reptile that is more amenable to soaking and playing in the grass, I can give you a list - but ball pythons would not be on it.

If something like sitting the snake in the grass for a minute is stressful because the snake is moving around rather than balled up, how do people justify handling?
I'm not trying to argue, just genuinely curious as to why handling inside is generally seen as fine to do (so long as you don't do it in excess) but handling outside would be bad and stressful? My BP acts the same when I hold her as many people just described their snakes acting in the grass-- moving about more, not curled up and hiding, ect. I know people could make the argument that handling indoors is necessary to check on the snake's health, but I imagine the majority of people don't handle their BPs solely for the purposes of checking their health.
Again I'm not arguing for or against taking them outside, just asking what the difference would be in terms of stress to the snake?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DVirginiana

If something like sitting the snake in the grass for a minute is stressful because the snake is moving around rather than balled up, how do people justify handling?
I'm not trying to argue, just genuinely curious as to why handling inside is generally seen as fine to do (so long as you don't do it in excess) but handling outside would be bad and stressful? My BP acts the same when I hold her as many people just described their snakes acting in the grass-- moving about more, not curled up and hiding, ect. I know people could make the argument that handling indoors is necessary to check on the snake's health, but I imagine the majority of people don't handle their BPs solely for the purposes of checking their health.
Again I'm not arguing for or against taking them outside, just asking what the difference would be in terms of stress to the snake?

---

Are we drawing a comparison between briefly handling a ball python for basic husbandry purposes and placing it on the lawn to roam around? Apples to oranges. Or are we talking about the people that take their balls for trips down to the local park or pet store? Closer to apples to apples....there is necessary handling and there is gratuitous handling...

Curling up and hiding is not the only sign of discomfort in a ball python. Moving about during daylight hours is also a sign of discomfort.

I handle most of my snakes as little as possible. There are some species that are fairly amenable to it. As a whole, ball pythons are not.

Okay, I kind of get what you're saying now.
I usually only hold my BP for about 5 minutes on a given day to do a quick health check and any tub maintenance. Sometimes I'll sit down and hold her a minute or two longer just for fun. A large portion of my exotics are completely no-handle, so I was under the impression that 15 minutes would be getting close to gratuitous handling; taking a snake to a petshop or car ride anywhere is kind of beyond what I'd even considered when I asked that.

I was just thinking 15 minutes of being held in the air by a giant would seem about as stressful as 15 minutes in a tub of water or laying on the grass, not taking into account that it may take a lot longer than that.

I rarely ever handle my ball python because he gets stressed easily, let alone take him outside. Most of the times I take him outside, he spends most of his time periscoping. I have several things in my lawn that I allow my snake to crawl under, and if they choose to use it I usually take them inside. If I'm taking photos or videos, I'll finish those up, but if they choose to hide I take that as a sign they want to go back in. He hides maybe half the times I take him outside, which might be 3-4 times over the summer at most. My other snakes spend a decent amount of time outside because it doesn't seem to affect their roaming behavior or their appetite, and I figure the UV is good for them. I eventually want to install UV in all my snake's enclosures, I've heard it helps with color, roaming, and basking behavior in several species including ball pythons.

If I couldn't hold my snake I wouldn't have got one in the first place. I haven't let him roam the yard yet, but he hangs out on the couch in a soft blanket with me at least once a week. He is very curious and always watches the computer screen lol especially if there's a movie on or if I'm playing skyrim.

I had not considered the bird thing, there are TONS of hawks in SW Wa.

I think most people understand that snakes can thrive with little. Breeders have proved this with vast collections of healthy animals in tubs with paper towels. For me, not a chance would I ever keep any of my snakes like that. A beautiful, majestic creature snakes are. In a sterilite tub, it's almost disrespectful to the animal in my opinion.

But- on the other hand my dog is treated like a princess, nothing natural about her life at all.

I think it's human nature to want to beleive the thing you love and care for has feelings and is happy/sad/appreciative/whatever. Look at kids and plush toys, even better, men and cars ;)