Ball pythons and out door activities???

[Los]

Question: is it ok to let a ball python crawl on grass or trees?? Can this cause mites? I feel like I haven’t seen a solid answer yet. Any advice? I do not want to expose this little guy to parasites asking for help?? Lol

[303_enfield]

Yes to both. It may let your snake pick up hitchhikers. Just wipe her down after an keep an eye on her.

Your snake will enjoy the time out.

[bcr229]

Snake mites aren't native to the US so your snake isn't likely to pick them up. Ticks would be a bigger problem.

[XpensiveWino]

I live in NC where we have chiggers everywhere. I know what those little b*stards do to me. I will not take my snakes out and possibly expose them to chiggers. Just awful little bugs.

I can't speak to pests in other locales.

[Craiga 01453]

My snakes go outside all the time. Well, when New England weather allows. Check out my page for plenty of pics.

It's very important to assess the area first. Make sure no pesticides are used on grass or plants. Make sure no other animals are around. We have tons of Hawks here, so I check the sky frequently.

Next, make sure there's no escape routes. Trees can be tricky, but BPs don't tend to climb, but still be very careful.

I'm also never more than arms reach away. If they wander I follow close behind.

As mentioned above, snake mites shouldn't be an issue since they're not native. But always give a good look over the snake before putting him/her back in the enclosure.

As long as you're smart and careful you can bring your snakes outside without worry.

[Bogertophis]

Just as WE can pick up some types of intestinal parasites (worms) by walking outside barefoot, so too can our snakes, with a little bad luck.

My snakes are never on the ground outside here...not with ticks & chiggers & all the other potential issues .

[Craiga 01453]

Ok, I don't know what chiggers are, but apparently if you live where chiggers live my advice is no good.

[Bogertophis]

Ok, I don't know what chiggers are, but apparently if you live where chiggers live my advice is no good.

They're a type of mite, the larvae of which has 6 legs but is near-microscopically tiny, that likes to munch on the skin cells of animals (including us) & leave tiny but maddeningly itchy bumps (papules), hives or rashes. You're far enough north not to have any, but they're widespread in forest & grassland areas of the warm-damp southeast & midwest, also Mexico. The U.K. has a "relative" that is found from western Europe to eastern Asia. You learn quickly not to sit in the grass in areas where there are chiggers, but usually they bite ankles, generously leaving your upper body to the mosquitoes.

[Craiga 01453]

They're a type of mite, the larvae of which has 6 legs but is near-microscopically tiny, that likes to munch on the skin cells of animals (including us) & leave tiny but maddeningly itchy bumps (papules), hives or rashes. You're far enough north not to have any, but they're widespread in forest & grassland areas of the warm-damp southeast & midwest, also Mexico. The U.K. has a "relative" that is found from western Europe to eastern Asia. You learn quickly not to sit in the grass in areas where there are chiggers, but usually they bite ankles, generously leaving your upper body to the mosquitoes.

Thank you for the insight!!!

I can't believe I've never at least heard of them in my 41 years!!

[Bogertophis]

Thank you for the insight!!!

I can't believe I've never at least heard of them in my 41 years!!

Well they're hard to see & that sure doesn't help. Do you have "no-see-ums" up there? Those are also pretty small but mightily irritating, or so I hear. I don't think we have any of them here, but when I heard the name, I thought they meant chiggers. (chiggers have a few other nicknames)