Any take their BP "for a walk?"

I know plently of us have taken our BP outdoors to takes picture. But how many take yours out side and just walk around with them around your neck or whatever?

I live in an apartment and I sometimes just put Chloe around my neck and just go for a walk on the sidewalk.

When I first did this, I expected to get some strange looks or even frightened people. But instead I've actually have people come up to me and ask questions about it. Pretty cool.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I know plently of us have taken our BP outdoors to takes picture. But how many take yours out side and just walk around with them around your neck or whatever?

I live in an apartment and I sometimes just put Chloe around my neck and just go for a walk on the sidewalk.

When I first did this, I expected to get some strange looks or even frightened people. But instead I've actually have people come up to me and ask questions about it. Pretty cool.

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Be very carefull because you might run into one of those that hate snakes and have the cops called on you.If its determined you are causing a problem they can fine you and take your snake.I know he is just a small snake but he does not look like that to everyone.

My snakes don't really like to be outside. Not to mention it's still cold here. They go into overdrive when I take them outside for pictures and stress out. I'm sure the boa wouldn't really mind :P

Sometimes if the weather was favorable, I'd take my snakes to the petstore when I needed to make a trip there.

Nowadays, its rare that I take them in public unless its for educational purposes or something (or a vet visit). All these possible bans and laws floating around, I hate to add fuel to the fire if someone freaked out because I had my snake out around my neck and they made a fuss about it.

I know its unfair, and we should every right to do this, but thats society for you, and if "playing nice" makes good sense if I want to protect my hobby.

Please don't be "that guy" with the snake around their neck in public, it's one thing to do it at a reptile show, pet store, or other venue where people are aware of their presence, it's another thing to scare the crap out of the person just trying to get through their day without being scared by an unknown reptile.

Much as I wish that these great animals were accepted by the mainstream, I have to realize that they are not, and it is not beneficial for our hobby as a whole to inadvertently scare people.

Not trying to be harsh or anything, but unfortunately situations can escalate and a harmless walk could turn into a situation with media coverage about yet another bad reptile owner.

I will take mine outside but cannot leave my property.

You may want to check your city and county laws for exotic snakes and public safety.

Here in Kootenai County, anything over 3 ft that can pose a danger to a small animal or child under the age of 18 years old is considered a danger or nuisance and not allowed on public property. Including the sidewalk.

So just be very careful, a small walk could be more than you bargained for.

Also check what hypothetically speaking might happen to your insurance coverage (if you have any).

In some places herps fall under the same category as the Pitts and Rotties and they will not raise your rates but WILL drop you completely if it comes up as an 'issue', ie someone complains or gets tagged...but it is don't ask don't tell.

All that said...it would be great to hang out with a couple of our herps...

Seems I should have been more clear. By sidewalk, I mean one within the complex. It's private property.

I wouldn't venture to a truly public walk.

Anyways, so far it's only been a positive experience. There's a guy accross the way that has a bunch of lizards including a 3ft long Savannah Monitor. I see him occasionally take it for a walk too.

I'd still be carful, in my old apartment i had my bp out for a few pics and some lady called the front office saying " i left my huge snake unattended and was letting it climb up the stairs and follow me home"

I didnt even see anyone outside nor did i leave my bp unattended, there is always gonna be "that" person.

Ditto what Lewdogg said. I'm sure there's 'those" people even inside your apartment complex. All it takes is one person to overreact to blow something out of proportion.

i tried but that leash kept slipping off :mad:

I used to take one of mine with me on a short walk to check the mail. Since I've moved onto a military base,
where my 3 little refugees must hide, they don't get that much time outta their tubs anymore. Once it warms up a little more though,
a short trip into the backyard for some 'sun' shouldn't hurt too much. :)

Sadly, the first time I saw and fell in love with a bp was while I worked at a fast food restaurant, I was 17. A co-worker of mine brought her juvenile bp (poor thing, I wonder if it is even alive today) to work with her on a spring day. She actually brought it right into the restaurant! Anyway, I of course was ignorant to her stupidity and adored the snake, but It took me two years of learning and planning before I finally got one. Thank-goodness I didn't ask her for tips....

I have a very large property in the country so on a warm day this summer, I'm sure I will take LD out for a romp in the grass:), closely watched of course;)

There has to be helth regulations against that...

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Originally Posted by Lewdogg3

There has to be helth regulations against that...

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I am sure there is, similar to bringing a dog in a restaurant. It just shows you the type of owners that do exist and give us a bad rep.

Yea, They make us keepers look horirble...

people should have to take some kind of test before buying reptiles haha

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Originally Posted by Lewdogg3

Yea, They make us keepers look horirble...

people should have to take some kind of test before buying reptiles haha

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Well that is some of the thought behind getting a license to own exotic snakes, which I wouldn't mind, but would cost alot of money and man power to set-up and enforce.

We've got almost 3 acres here so every once in a while I let one out in the grass for 10-15 minutes while I walk around and watch them. Boas I let out during the day or night, balls seem to be shy during the really sunny day so dusk and night time is when I let em stretch their scales.

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Originally Posted by FL0OD

i tried but that leash kept slipping off :mad:

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Maybe you didn't have the right kind of leash. :P

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Maybe you didn't have the right kind of leash. :P

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Oh wow thats too funny

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Originally Posted by xdeus

Maybe you didn't have the right kind of leash. :P

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Wow that is too funny. I remember(years ago) thinking a leash for my Beardie was a good idea, he didn't think so;)

When the weather is sunny and hot outside I will take them out. I don't walk with them just because of the neighbors..you never know what someone will fuss about.

I do go in my backyard (fenced off) and will walk around out there with them..or let them "roam" a bit.

I really wonder how many snakes are comfortable with something around their neck? :rolleye2: I know if I tried that with most of mine I'd probably end up a bloody mess... :rolleyes:

Yea i dont think my bp wouldnt like it.

My iguana didnt like a leash either lol

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I know plently of us have taken our BP outdoors to takes picture. But how many take yours out side and just walk around with them around your neck or whatever?

I live in an apartment and I sometimes just put Chloe around my neck and just go for a walk on the sidewalk.

When I first did this, I expected to get some strange looks or even frightened people. But instead I've actually have people come up to me and ask questions about it. Pretty cool.

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Why would you do something that you expected to frighten people? These are your neighbours, these are the people that can complain to the management and you can end up with a no reptiles policy (which is surprisingly common in a lot of apartment complexes).

The green area of the complex is private property - just remember it's not your private property which means anything you do can reflect on you and other tenants that keep herps. Personally I don't think it's worth the risk factors to you and to other reptile owners in your complex.