Snakes on the Ground?

[mak2266]

I have seen a few pic of peoples' snakes crawling on the ground outside. I have always worried that letting my snake crawl outside could lead to mite or tick infestation.

Poll who lets snakes crawl outside and why?

[DutchHerp]

Mites originated in India. Outside of there, they're only found in people's collections and on captive snakes.

As for ticks... well, if you were unlucky enough to get a tick on your snake, they wouldn't reproduce and thus cause an infestation. You'd probably catch it before it got big anyway, but I'm not aware of many (if any) ticks in Houston.

I'm very careful with fire ant nests though.

But yeah, I take them outside to give them some exploring time. And great pictures of course!

[JeffJ]

i plan on letting mine out to explore this summer.

Mites are not native to this area and ticks are deep woods here so im good.

[Kaorte]

I would only let them crawl around outisde on days where it is warm enough for them. I don't think ticks or mites would be a problem.

[DeepSouthSerpents]

Gosh I learned the really hard way, let one of my boas crawl all over an empty soccer field when I was flying a kite. She came home with a huge infestation of chiggers from the grass. Had to take her to the vet 2x to get ivormectin shots and it was expensive because of her size Thankfully that is all over with...

[mechnut450]

lol I get those dang chiggers every year I found rubbing ach and clear finger nail polish to be a blessing lol.. the ach to drown/disenfect the open marks and the fingernail polish to kill the others ..

I do let mine out but i usely right there and only on days it above 75 ( minuim) and then never long .

[scarface2jz]

i cant wait till it gets warm out so i can chill outside with my guy hangin on my neck... but im sure letting them cruise a little on some grass, or on a bush would be OK...

[DrEwTiMe]

When its warm enough here in NJ i let my snake go out in the lawn and do what she wants. I feel kinda bad not giving her any real sun so i let her have some exploring time whenever im gonna be outside for a little while and the temp allows it. I don't see a problem with letting your BP hang out and enjoy some rays!

[Neal]

I want to, but i'm scared one of mine may vanish, however now, I do have a Pond in my front yard, and I soo want to let my anaconda go swimming in it, but I don't know if she could get anything, or possibly get sick from being in my pond? The water is clean, as in no alge and anything like that, just the water isnt crystal clear, although it does have fresh water flowing in from a Flow-well we have.