Taking sneks outside?

[Craiga 01453]

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

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.

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).

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!

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.