Taking your BP out in public

[MisterKyte]

I've seen people do this with pets like exotic birds, and people really gravitated to them, and I want to do this with my BP. I know that people have a love/hate relationship with snakes, so one has to be careful when showing them. When I worked at the Birmingham Zoo we would take out some of the larger snakes and sit out front on the railing and talk to the patrons about them. Of course, they were free to approach us or not, which worked much better than walking around and unexpectedly surprising people (sometimes with unpleasant results). But it was always a lot of fun, and we always got a lot of attention.

Yeah, that's pretty much the way my group operated as well. Grab a blanket to sit around on and people were free to come over if they felt so inclined, no encroaching on other people's personal bubble. We even brought carriers or a tub to put the snakes in if they got over stimulated.
I'm usually rather optimistic when it comes to people meeting snakes because when they have the option to either approach or steer clear and no one is getting surprised by some punk walking around a crowd with a python around their neck, others usually seemed rather intrigued with them.
A couple of summers ago, we even had a mother and her two toddlers comes over to chitchat even though they were too freaked out to actually touch the snakes, they were really interested in hearing about them.

[I-KandyReptiles]

The only time I take my snakes outside would be for a vet visit or to be outside in my yard.

I see no reason to traipse them around town, and tbh, I feel if you do, it's for attention.

It's stressful on the snake, so why even bother.

[BranceM]

My question is why would you want to? If you really need all the attention try walking around without pants on.

[MisterKyte]

The only time I take my snakes outside would be for a vet visit or to be outside in my yard.

I see no reason to traipse them around town, and tbh, I feel if you do, it's for attention.

It's stressful on the snake, so why even bother.

It's stressful for any animal that's poorly acclimated to the outside world but I still see people walking around with dogs that will jump at passing cars and bark at other people all the time. Also, people engage in very similar activities during reptile shows and other such events yet no one is ever particularly bothered by people showing them off there? The only thing that has been changed is the venue.

I also don't think that wanting to show off an animal that you enjoy is really bad? Like there's such a stigma against wanting attention but it's a pretty natural need and I do truly believe that it can be done by a responsible owner with little to no stress on the animal itself.

[BranceM]

It's stressful for any animal that's poorly acclimated to the outside world but I still see people walking around with dogs that will jump at passing cars and bark at other people all the time.

This is a case of poorly trained, not poorly acclimated.

[I-KandyReptiles]

It's stressful for any animal that's poorly acclimated to the outside world but I still see people walking around with dogs that will jump at passing cars and bark at other people all the time. Also, people engage in very similar activities during reptile shows and other such events yet no one is ever particularly bothered by people showing them off there? The only thing that has been changed is the venue.

I also don't think that wanting to show off an animal that you enjoy is really bad? Like there's such a stigma against wanting attention but it's a pretty natural need and I do truly believe that it can be done by a responsible owner with little to no stress on the animal itself.

Comparing a dog to a snake is like comparing apples to oranges. Dogs NEED to be socialized, taken on walks and be outside. Snakes DON'T. And how can you tell if you're snake is "acclimated to being outside".

Also, at an Expo, people KNOW there are going to be reptiles. If people dont like snakes, it's doubtful they'll go to an expo. Whereas if you're walking around with your snake, you're forcing those around you to be near to the snake. People have phobias, and you should respect that.

[BranceM]

Here's two great quotes from another thread on this forum talking about taking snakes out in to public:

My snakes don't enjoy car rides and public places so I don't feel the need to bring mine anywhere. An besides I have enough things going on making people look at me I don't feel the need to add something else that's only purpose is to bring attention to me.

Indeed. Was the purpose of this exercise to relieve the boredom of the snake? Was it to socialize the snake? Was it provide some sort of mental or physical stimulation for the snake? Or was it to draw attention to the owner? People take their dogs out to socialize them, or sometimes because the dog has anxiety issues, for companionship or for a dozen reasons that have nothing to do with drawing attention to the owner. However some people DO take their dogs out in public to draw attention to themselves - and for the OP's sake I am hoping she does not share that desire to use her snake to be the center of attention. Taking a snake or a monitor out to stores or parks or flea markets does nothing good for the animal - in fact it is a stressful experience for the snake.....and comparing taking a snake into Lowes to a service dog or a kid is an apples to oranges comparison and is frankly stupid. As others have pointed out, we need less provocateurs in this hobby.........less people who feel the need to impose reptiles down the throats of people who fear them, and let's face it - the general attitude of the public towards reptiles is not favorable. Frankly when I see this type of behavior I worry - I worry that the person may be owning the snake for the wrong reasons. I see red flags whenever someone new to the hobby relates these types of stories to me. Maybe I'm wrong in this case, maybe I'm not...but this phase of behavior.......the strutting about with the animal in public places and lapping up the attention.....is many times a precursor to the next phase: this strutting act is getting less and less curious people, and I just realized that all this animal does is hide and poop - I'm going to sell it. Enjoy your snake in the privacy of your own home. Do not draw attention to yourself or this hobby (either on purpose or not) by taking that poor animal out in public. No one designated you to be the ambassador for my hobby. I am amazed that you had no idea that people were that afraid of snakes...............I do not believe that for one minute.

[MisterKyte]

Comparing a dog to a snake is like comparing apples to oranges. Dogs NEED to be socialized, taken on walks and be outside. Snakes DON'T. And how can you tell if you're snake is "acclimated to being outside".

Also, at an Expo, people KNOW there are going to be reptiles. If people dont like snakes, it's doubtful they'll go to an expo. Whereas if you're walking around with your snake, you're forcing those around you to be near to the snake. People have phobias, and you should respect that.

Dogs do need to be socialized, yes, but they need to be socialized in a constructive and calm environment. Just dragging a poorly socialized, poorly acclimated dog out into the world is not the way to help them overcome their anxieties unless you happen to be a professional and know the tools that will help that animal be socially acceptable. Also apples and oranges are still fruit and BPs and dogs are still animals so the comparison is not entirely outrageous.
I also can tell if my BPs are acclimated the same way I tell in any other situation; are they balling up and shying away from touch, are they engaging in fight/flight behaviour, when I return them to their enclosures, at they showing any other stress behaviour such as restlessness and fasting. The snakes that I do find to be calm enough to go outside every great so often are as cool and collected as any other I own, they eat, they sleep, they poop and don't show any typical signs of stress after social engagements.

I'll give you the the reptile expo one, that was actually a poor comparison.
I also recognize that people have phobias and I do not force anyone to engage with my animals. I stay in a designated area and I do not beckon people over or shove the snakes in their faces, if they are inclined to, they are entirely able of either avoiding or joining me. I don't just walk through groups of strangers, I give people space. I am also respectful of other's phobias because I have experience caring for people with phobias, a cousin who was attacked by a dog at a young age, and let me tell you, no one was ever respectful of her needs. People never gave her space and when I requested that their dogs be leashed or preferably they just could a take a step aside so we could go about our activities. It was incredibly trying period of her life and I think to just pin snakes as the only group that cause other anxiety is absurd but obviously that is not the case. People should be able to show off their pets however, everyone regardless of what they own should engage in basic decency and just telling a group of people/animals that they are not allowed is unfair.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Here's two great quotes from another thread on this forum talking about taking snakes out in to public:

Skip always has great points.

[MisterKyte]

Also I feel bad about hi-jacking this thread. Bobbafett, if you would like to continue the conversation, I believe we may want to take it into PMs.