Taking sneks outside?

I keep seeing photos of people taking their noodles outside in the grass now that a lot of us are getting warmer weather! So I wanted to know what the basic rules and guidelines are for doing this. :) Obviously, make sure there's no sharp or dangerous things, keep an eye on your noodle, kind of like kids. But what else do I need to know!

Make sure you don't live in an area known for predatory birds. I have tons of falcons, hawks, crows and owls where I live - I'm not comfortable at all letting my snake out of my hands outside.

Make sure there are no pesticides wherever you put them!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Make sure you don't live in an area known for predatory birds. I have tons of falcons, hawks, crows and owls where I live - I'm not comfortable at all letting my snake out of my hands outside.

---

Good call!! I live in Portland, Oregon. I don't *think* there's much out here? Not like in Cali where I used to live where those birdies are everywhere. I'll have to research. And out of paranoia I would stay very very close to her I'm sure. But I'm sure predatory birds are so fast and quiet I wouldn't even see it coming.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Make sure there are no pesticides wherever you put them!

---

Okay! We have a very large backyard that we *at most* mow a few times when it's spring and we don't treat our yard with anything so I believe we're good. Good call!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Make sure there are no pesticides wherever you put them!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Make sure you don't live in an area known for predatory birds. I have tons of falcons, hawks, crows and owls where I live - I'm not comfortable at all letting my snake out of my hands outside.

---

these are pretty much the two, right? i can't think of anything else except if you have a fast mover, like a colubrid, be careful!!!

Make sure there aren't any rodent holes in the lawn.... so many here I don't dare take a snake outside.

I had someone ask if my snake was more prone to sunburns because he's white. So make sure you have sunscreen and a floppy hat if yours is fair-scaled.

:rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

i had someone ask if my snake was more prone to sunburns because he's white. So make sure you have sunscreen and a floppy hat if yours is fair-scaled.

:rofl:

---

omg yellow is albino is he ded

These are all such good things to remember thank you all!!

We have predatory birds so I stay very close (practically straddling) the smaller snakes if they are on the lawn. OTOH I don't see an adult retic getting carried off by a hawk or owl.

Also bear in mind that if the snake is outside and you haven't touched it for a few minutes, it may forget that you're around. I take a hook out and if the snake has been in the grass exploring for a while, I touch it with the hook first as an unexpected touch can get treated as an attack, and they'll nip.

I agree with all the above, plus, I live in the south & with all the ticks, chiggers & other insects, I will NEVER put my snakes on the ground. I do take them out for some sunshine occasionally, temps permitting, but they stay in my hands. A few times I allowed one to chill in a small tree, but my trees are all too big now...most are 50' tall+and that's WAY more than I can climb, lol... Don't forget the invisible dangers too- various pathogens, fungal & other diseases that local reptiles might carry & share.
>>> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5095536/ As our climate warms, some previously unknown pathogens may become prevalent too.

There's another angle too: one reason that Fish & Game considers reptiles to be un-releasable once in captivity is that there is a danger of them carrying exotic pathogensto the local wildlife that they have no previous exposure to...that can result in unintentionally wiping out native species. We sure don't want that either. Say for example you have a new snake & you have no idea it has a few mites or ticks*, but you take it outside & some of your snake's parasites go wandering off...next thing you know, maybe our native species get decimated if those mites or ticks happen to carry IBD or some other exotic diseases that spread.

*I once took in a large w/c imported ball python that had a countless number of ticks: the inexperienced & disinterested owners had her for a year & thought those were just some of her scales! :( They broke her hot rock- yes, "one of those!" and they finally decided to re-home her at that point. Had they taken her outside though, they might have inadvertently released some foreign ticks.

If your snake/reptile is a creature of the night or the shady forest, the sun may in fact be too intense & hurt their eyes...so don't over-do it, even when holding them.

Also, remember your own body heat is added to the outside temperatures...be careful not to over-heat your pets in the sun...they can & have died from sun strokes. There was a local guy here that used to walk all around town with his boa on his shoulders. I saw him once, as I drove by, but didn't know him...I was very sad to later find out from a vet tech friend that his snake died from a heat stroke. He enjoyed the attention & he meant well, but he killed his snake not realizing the danger he put her in.

That was super informative thanks!! :) If I take her outside it sounds like it'll be in my hands for like five minutes haha it seems like the safest bet for me and my noodle!

I want to take my snakes outside for a few pics too. I believe every animal deserves some fresh air and sunshine. Have you seen how the sunlight magnifies their colors? It's gotta be good for them. Even though my snakes are being raised in captivity I want them to feel the sun, wind, and boundless world around them. My plan is to only take out one critter at a time, stay close to protect them from lurking birds of prey, make it a quick event, like 5-10 minutes max and just enjoy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I want to take my snakes outside for a few pics too. I believe every animal deserves some fresh air and sunshine. Have you seen how the sunlight magnifies their colors? It's gotta be good for them. Even though my snakes are being raised in captivity I want them to feel the sun, wind, and boundless world around them. My plan is to only take out one critter at a time, stay close to protect them from lurking birds of prey, make it a quick event, like 5-10 minutes max and just enjoy.

---

Yup that’s how I feel too! And essentially exactly how I want to go about it. I have a Sphynx cat and he loves the sun and outdoors but he’s prone to sunburn, has to keep his claws trimmed so he doesn’t cut himself, and he’s essentially biologically helpless and useless hahahah so I carry him to the mailbox and take him for little walks to get him outside and that’s probably essentially what I’ll do with my snek. Mini, closely chaperoned adventures. :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I want to take my snakes outside for a few pics too. I believe every animal deserves some fresh air and sunshine. Have you seen how the sunlight magnifies their colors? It's gotta be good for them...

---

I believe it IS good for them too...it tends to improve the appetite of poor feeders. As long as it's not over-done, & as long as you don't cross-
contaminate between native & non-native wildlife. Snakes perk up outside with all the smells in the air, and they look awesome in the sunshine-
especially if they have some iridescence. It's cool seeing our snakes react to being outside...mine always "periscope" trying to climb trees, lol.

Sounds like you've gotten some good advice, so I'm just going to piggy back on a few replies...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hilabeans

Make sure you don't live in an area known for predatory birds. I have tons of falcons, hawks, crows and owls where I live - I'm not comfortable at all letting my snake out of my hands outside.

---

Very true!!! The area I live in is well known for hawks, the golf course nearby is even named Red Tail.
There are a few neighborhood cats and my neighbor has two chickens that all like to hang out in our yard too, so I'm always on the lookout and never more than a half-step away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Make sure there are no pesticides wherever you put them!

---

Great point!!! I only take my snakes outside in my yard, and I don't treat it (as my pics probably show, hahaha).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

We have predatory birds so I stay very close (practically straddling) the smaller snakes if they are on the lawn. OTOH I don't see an adult retic getting carried off by a hawk or owl.

Also bear in mind that if the snake is outside and you haven't touched it for a few minutes, it may forget that you're around. I take a hook out and if the snake has been in the grass exploring for a while, I touch it with the hook first as an unexpected touch can get treated as an attack, and they'll nip.

---

Yup, I stay right on top of them too.
...and good advice about the reminder tap!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I want to take my snakes outside for a few pics too. I believe every animal deserves some fresh air and sunshine. Have you seen how the sunlight magnifies their colors? It's gotta be good for them. Even though my snakes are being raised in captivity I want them to feel the sun, wind, and boundless world around them. My plan is to only take out one critter at a time, stay close to protect them from lurking birds of prey, make it a quick event, like 5-10 minutes max and just enjoy.

---

Exactly how I see it. And 5-10 minutes is about my max too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlemaxbigworld

That was super informative thanks!! :) If I take her outside it sounds like it'll be in my hands for like five minutes haha it seems like the safest bet for me and my noodle!

---

I am also in Portland, Oregon and we have hawks everywhere here, just maybe not as many as in downtown PDX proper, but we have eagles, hawks, even some big nasty crows. I keep mine in my hands or in a contained area with a covered pen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

There's another angle too: one reason that Fish & Game considers reptiles to be un-releasable once in captivity is that there is a danger of them carrying exotic pathogensto the local wildlife that they have no previous exposure to...that can result in unintentionally wiping out native species. We sure don't want that either. Say for example you have a new snake & you have no idea it has a few mites or ticks*, but you take it outside & some of your snake's parasites go wandering off...next thing you know, maybe our native species get decimated if those mites or ticks happen to carry IBD or some other exotic diseases that spread.

---

That's a good point; a snake shouldn't be taken outside for sun & exercise until it's cleared QT and free of internal and external parasites.

I always stay close to mine if I decide to take him out for a photo shoot, and make sure to check him for any parasites after. I also check to make sure that there isn't any predatory birds in the area, and only keep it to a few minutes. Other than that, have fun with it! A word of warning, when Paarthurnax felt grass for the first time, he was actually sort of afraid of it, and got really stressed out when it poked him. Took a few tries but after a while he got used to it and stretched out to explore. Just keep a close eye on them and you should be fine, though, and don't over stress them in the sunlight.

Avoid outside areas with stagnant water especially if you live in an area with high parasite loads (almost the entire USA outside deserts). Other than that taking a snake outside is not a terrible thing. I would avoid too hot days and peak sunlight but you should be able to do it without issue.

I am not an advocate of letting a snake loose on the ground but that is just my personal preference.

One other thing I almost forgot to mention...a risk that's easy to overlook because it's another thing you won't likely see but it's there on the ground,
waiting to infect your snake or whatever comes a long: parasitic worms shed by roaming pets and wildlife. No thank you! :colbert: Not MY sneks.....

Our snakes can get worms not only from eating infected prey but also ground contact. There are many kinds of worms, including round worms, hook
worms, pin worms, strongyloid & whip worms. Here's just a sampling of articles for more info-

https://www.petmd.com/reptile/condit...ive/c_rp_worms

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/healt...240-roundworms

http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/r...-diseases.html

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Parasites/

Years back when I used to work with rattlesnakes (in the desert), I took in a large red diamond rattlesnake (removed from a nearby golf course). Lucky for
him, coming to my place- he had a horrible case of round worms! It was obvious when he "digested" his meal in one day that he had a lot of "help". Each
time I treated him, he expelled a pile of worms, still alive. (I like to error on the side of caution using a lighter dose. Sometimes a dose that kills internal
worms can cause a blockage by those same worms, resulting in the death of the "host".) That snake probably got worms by ingesting prey that had them,
but some worms are picked up just thru the skin. You won't find me going barefoot around here either. Do consider this before you put your snakes on
the lawn.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

omg yellow is albino is he ded

---

To be fair, the lack of melanin in leucistics and especially albinos do make them more vulnerable to damage from UV rays including cancer from it. Not going to be an issue at the amounts of exposure people generally give them, but it’s not totally crazy.

yeah i'm always right by them, hovering like a helicopter parent. also try to keep it to only 1 snek atta time. i also have an emergency tub (or pillowcase/bag) nearby i can throw it in in case or an emergency. one time i even had a broom just in case i had to fight off birds lol. i put 1 snek in a tree once on the lower branches and i am quick to grab it if it goes above my head.

be safe, have fun!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ax01

yeah i'm always right by them, hovering like a helicopter parent. also try to keep it to only 1 snek atta time. i also have an emergency tub (or pillowcase/bag) nearby i can throw it in in case or an emergency. one time i even had a broom just in case i had to fight off birds lol. i put 1 snek in a tree once on the lower branches and i am quick to grab it if it goes above my head.

be safe, have fun!

---

I'm yet to put mine in a tree, but love the tree pics!! I really don't have a tree with a low enough branch in my yard either. There's one branch I can barely reach, but it's quickly out of my reach, so I'm too nervous to go for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ax01

yeah i'm always right by them, hovering like a helicopter parent. also try to keep it to only 1 snek atta time. i also have an emergency tub (or pillowcase/bag) nearby i can throw it in in case or an emergency. one time i even had a broom just in case i had to fight off birds lol. i put 1 snek in a tree once on the lower branches and i am quick to grab it if it goes above my head.

be safe, have fun!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I'm yet to put mine in a tree, but love the tree pics!! I really don't have a tree with a low enough branch in my yard either. There's one branch I can barely reach, but it's quickly out of my reach, so I'm too nervous to go for it.

---

i was actually way too nervous about it and ended up taking crappy pix b/c i kept pulling her down to be within arm's reach.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/jLbVKZbl.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/6c7k3VTl.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/3iYKAfXl.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/MSFlypTl.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...m/hV9JjbBl.jpg

Ahh too many to reply to you all but you’ve been so helpful I really appreciate you! So much I hadn’t thought of. You all make me such a better snake parent haha :D

No risk of mites or any other parasites making there way back into enclosures? I'd like to get mine back outside, but I've only ever taken one out and other than freaking out the neighbors, she was fine. Still curious though ... especially about mights due to my currently battle with a store bought boa.

edit: I apparently missed a lot of posts prior to my reply. My bad.

I'm more worried about my cray ass neighbor that grabbed a shovel thinking my Retic was a copperhead when I had him in the front yard taking some pics.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stout76

I'm more worried about my cray ass neighbor that grabbed a shovel thinking my Retic was a copperhead when I had him in the front yard taking some pics.

---

I'd beat the neighbor with his own shovel if he came anywhere near my snakes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stout76

I'm more worried about my cray ass neighbor that grabbed a shovel thinking my Retic was a copperhead when I had him in the front yard taking some pics.

---

How...do you mix up a copperhead and a rectic...?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slicercrush

How...do you mix up a copperhead and a rectic...?

---

It helps to be an idiot. :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spechal

No risk of mites or any other parasites making there way back into enclosures? I'd like to get mine back outside, but I've only ever taken one out and other than freaking out the neighbors, she was fine. Still curious though ... especially about mights due to my currently battle with a store bought boa.

edit: I apparently missed a lot of posts prior to my reply. My bad.

---

As far as I know, snake mites that are so easily shared in retail reptiles are NOT native mites & not typically found in our native herps...but that doesn't
mean your snake can't pick up something lethal like cryptosporidiosis from native reptiles that may have passed thru your yard. Natives can & do die from it.

While trees may seem "safer" than the ground, don't forget that birds can carry plenty of things too. Also, wild snakes climb trees.

Call me chicken, but if I take my snakes outside, they remain in my hands. Here ticks are prevalent as are spiders & all sorts of wildlife that have parasites.
(I vaguely remember from many years back that a guy's snake died from what was deduced to be a spider bite in his own enclosure. Spiders can kill us, so
certainly that's another possibility?)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slicercrush

How...do you mix up a copperhead and a rectic...?

---

Hahaha I thought the same thing. Snake fear is real though. I’m always astounded when people are terrified of my python noodle and won’t even go in the same room. I’m like, look, you realize that my gosh darn *cat* could do an immense amount of damage if it wanted to hurt you, your dog could literally murder you, and you’re afraid of something with virtually no teeth or capability of doing damage to you. Even full grown she’s essentially harmless. You piss my cat off or someone’s dog off? You’re totally effed. Now snakes in the wild I get because things like the fer-de-lance and rattlers and giiiiant constrictors exist. But like you wouldn’t just go pet a random wolf in the wild either. Use your logic and stop making jokes about how you want to run my snake over with your car. Zero chill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlemaxbigworld

Hahaha I thought the same thing. Snake fear is real though. I’m always astounded when people are terrified of my python noodle and won’t even go in the same room. I’m like, look, you realize that my gosh darn *cat* could do an immense amount of damage if it wanted to hurt you, your dog could literally murder you, and you’re afraid of something with virtually no teeth or capability of doing damage to you. Even full grown she’s essentially harmless. You piss my cat off or someone’s dog off? You’re totally effed. Now snakes in the wild I get because things like the fer-de-lance and rattlers and giiiiant constrictors exist. But like you wouldn’t just go pet a random wolf in the wild either. Use your logic and stop making jokes about how you want to run my snake over with your car. Zero chill.

---

Ditto. Exactly my thoughts

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlemaxbigworld

Hahaha I thought the same thing. Snake fear is real though. I’m always astounded when people are terrified of my python noodle and won’t even go in the same room. I’m like, look, you realize that my gosh darn *cat* could do an immense amount of damage if it wanted to hurt you, your dog could literally murder you, and you’re afraid of something with virtually no teeth or capability of doing damage to you. Even full grown she’s essentially harmless. You piss my cat off or someone’s dog off? You’re totally effed. Now snakes in the wild I get because things like the fer-de-lance and rattlers and giiiiant constrictors exist. But like you wouldn’t just go pet a random wolf in the wild either. Use your logic and stop making jokes about how you want to run my snake over with your car. Zero chill.

---

I would go pet a random wolf in the woods if it would let me get close enough .:gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bmwood

I would go pet a random wolf in the woods if it would let me get close enough .:gj:

---

Hahaha I’m pretty afraid of wild predators. I go backpacking a ton in the summer and even though I’ve never seen a bear or wild cat let me tell you: I hope I never do. Unless it’s from really really far away on the other side of a ridge and it doesn’t care that I’m there. D:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littlemaxbigworld

Hahaha I’m pretty afraid of wild predators. I go backpacking a ton in the summer and even though I’ve never seen a bear or wild cat let me tell you: I hope I never do. Unless it’s from really really far away on the other side of a ridge and it doesn’t care that I’m there. D:

---

Honestly wolves are a lot like snakes, People dont understand them, there has never been a recorded attack in america on a person by a healthy wolf. they would much rather avoid you then even get close to you. I used to have a pet timber wolf when i lived in Louisiana, one of the best pets I ever had.

Most of my neighbors believe there are only two types of snakes. Copperheads and water moccasins. I’m sure if they saw my Blood they’d think water moccasin. They called my over one shouting and completely hysterical about a snake. Turned out to be a legless lizard. Know some people that killed a red bellied water snake. When we told him it wasn’t a water moccasin he said “he’s been killing snakes for 20 years I know what a water moccasin is.” I said most people that kill snakes for being snakes don’t typically know anything about snakes. Had to save a very pretty corn snake from him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stout76

Most of my neighbors believe there are only two types of snakes. Copperheads and water moccasins. I’m sure if they saw my Blood they’d think water moccasin. They called my over one shouting and completely hysterical about a snake. Turned out to be a legless lizard. Know some people that killed a red bellied water snake. When we told him it wasn’t a water moccasin he said “he’s been killing snakes for 20 years I know what a water moccasin is.” I said most people that kill snakes for being snakes don’t typically know anything about snakes. Had to save a very pretty corn snake from him.

---

People are such ass hats