Do you take your snake outside?

If no, why not? If so, when so you do it and how long? Thank you!

In my yard (which is private): Yes for pictures uniquely which is fast and done when weather permits.

Outside in public: NO, snake keepers already suffer from bad press, animal right activists have been pushing laws to ban snake ownership for over a decade and since the majority of the population as a negative perception on reptiles in general, there is no need to add full to the fire.

Keep in mind that there is no benefit for your BP to be taken outside, and that it can be stressful.

No, never. I wouldn't risk mites or bugs in my collection, I have way too much money invested. Maybe I would if I just had one garter snake that I caught in the wild LOL.

I do weather permitting, but only 2 get taken outside. Fresh air, stretch in the sun light, new tastes/smells. Do I allow them to roam? No cause of neighbors, parasites, etc.

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I take mine outside sometimes to try and get natural light photos, but it depends on the weather and temperatures. They do not go outside just to 'play'. Sometimes I take them outside to show others, such as when people have asked to see/hold a snake, and they go outside with me if I happen to have one out and I need to go outside for something - again, weather permitting. I own my property, and if anyone in the area objects to my snakes, they are welcome to not come on it... but since I own enough land to keep my horses on it, that's not nearly as much of an issue as it would be in a cramped city residential situation.


Edit - and I certainly don't take them out to play in the horse hay with the wild bull snakes.

Same here photos only in my back yard.
Public, no because its just plain stupid.
Not only bad press but not worth the stress to my animals or myself.

I do, in the yard. Getting out to stretch and have some exercise seems to help the male retics in particular, they don't push and smash up their faces as much when they can get outside every few days.

I am very careful when any snake under 5' or so is out as we do have hawks in the area that will snatch up a small snake for a meal.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

In my yard (which is private): Outside in public: NO, snake keepers already suffer from bad press, animal right activists have been pushing laws to ban snake ownership for over a decade and since the majority of the population as a negative perception on reptiles in general, there is no need to add full to the fire.

Keep in mind that there is no benefit for your BP to be taken outside, and that it can be stressful.

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This. Although it may seem strange to some that wild animals being taken outside can be stressful, it certainly is for our pets. Wild BPs that haven't been caught by humans? Sure! But just like the difference between a feral and domesticated cat, pet BPs are domesticated and no longer considered fully wild. Because of this, as long as their needs are being met with proper husbandry, I don't see any need to take them outside. The only times mine go outside are around my neck or shoulders while I clean tanks on the back deck. I just don't want to risk anything happening by letting them crawl. Red Tailed Hawks are MASSIVE birds of prey, and after seeing someone in a local herp group post a pic of his Boa climbing a big tree outside, it made me shudder.

If you're going to take them outside, be very safe and cautious about raptors.

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Originally Posted by O'Mathghamhna

This. Although it may seem strange to some that wild animals being taken outside can be stressful, it certainly is for our pets. Wild BPs that haven't been caught by humans? Sure! But just like the difference between a feral and domesticated cat, pet BPs are domesticated and no longer considered fully wild. Because of this, as long as their needs are being met with proper husbandry, I don't see any need to take them outside. The only times mine go outside are around my neck or shoulders while I clean tanks on the back deck. I just don't want to risk anything happening by letting them crawl. Red Tailed Hawks are MASSIVE birds of prey, and after seeing someone in a local herp group post a pic of his Boa climbing a big tree outside, it made me shudder.

If you're going to take them outside, be very safe and cautious about raptors.

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There are an insane number of raptors around here, from little kestrels to golden eagles. I've seen a hawk take bull snakes bigger than any of my BP's are. I have photos of my kingsnake in a tree - but it was a little apple tree, no taller than I am, not a tree he could get out of reach in. Took some photos of one of my BP's on a seedling tub, always within immediate reach. I would not let my snakes just wander. Of course, the big snakes are another matter - but even if I had one, I wouldn't let it wander around on the ground without extreme care. Not with fire ants here.

No I do not, nor do I ever plan to. The cons FAR outweigh any pros you care to list.

I take mine out just around my neck when I'm getting the mail or watering the plants, and only on very warm humid (50%ish days). I did let him down once in the garden for pictures with the spring blooms, but was so afraid of parasites or ants that I didn't let his stay on the ground and didn't actually take any pics - even wiped him down with a damp towel afterwords. He seems to tolerate it well, maybe gets some enrichment from the new smells. I keep an eye on his respiration rate to make sure he is not becoming stressed; but it is certainly not a common occurrence.

He has a "play" area in the house for exercise. Mainly a large empty walk-in closet that I have snake proofed, added rocks and branches, different textured surfaces, hides, and a large pan of water. I'll sit in there with him for 10-40 min while he explores then when he starts to seek a hide he goes back in his cage. It seems to help his restlessness and he has great muscle tone. This is still only done a few times a month, more often now that the house ambient temp and humidity are actually within his safe range.

I also would NEVER recommend letting them roam unless you are watching every move they make, I'm sure younger snakes can get a move on if they want and escape if you stop paying attention for even a min.

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Originally Posted by Crowfingers

He has a "play" area in the house for exercise. Mainly a large empty walk-in closet that I have snake proofed, added rocks and branches, different textured surfaces, hides, and a large pan of water. I'll sit in there with him for 10-40 min while he explores then when he starts to seek a hide he goes back in his cage. It seems to help his restlessness and he has great muscle tone. This is still only done a few times a month, more often now that the house ambient temp and humidity are actually within his safe range.

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I absolutely love this! :love:

Well, i guess the answer is yes and no. I have a glass sun room with a full glass ceiling, and 4 foot high screened windows. In the summer its kind of like being outside without the bugs, preditors, or parasites. We take them out there and let them look at the world a bit. He likes to drape around my neck as i sit by the open windows, that are fully opened. We have a lot of raptors, mostly hawks, so i don't feel safe putting him in the grass.

I take him out for a walk 2 or 3 times a week. It is just a quick walk around the block. He is only 8 months old so I can get away with it. When he gets older I may have to stop. :(

I bring my corn outside when the weather allows. I let him play in the grass but I am with in arm reach. We have hawks here as well but they are not brazen enough to attack when a human is near by.

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Yes I do especially my larger scrubs. Tho typically only for pics. My bigger scrubbies are to big to really work with in my room. I'm going to remedy that in a few weeks


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i've been thinking of this since the weather here in the northeast has been feeling tropical this weekend. My intentions, however, are to stay on my deck as i am too paranoid about bugs to let him in the grass, also birds. I'm thinking a brief day time trip for natural light photos, but a nice long evening just taking in the stars with a snake around my neck and a glass of wine in my hand is something i am really looking forward to.