Guidelines for snakes playing outside?

[jncoclub]

Is there any major concern of letting your snakes crawl around items outside? Grass, rocks, sticks, fences, etc assuming that there are no known pesticides or obvious toxins on anything? Call me a protective mother, but I just don’t want to put my snake on a potential health-hazard place while frolicking outside.

[Lisa]

all that plus you want some privacy and you don't want to put them in a situation where they can escape (ie. climb up a tree).

[Bryce Masuk]

I wouldnt Let them go near any rocks you cant lift up.
A snake can get EXACTLY where you dont want it to And Always keep your eye on them

[asphyxia]

You protective mother :)


Cheers !
Brian

[snake_goth]

i whould sugest that u only let ur snake out side if it a big retic or burm, mind u, u should be woried about the peopol out side more than ur snake.

[BoidKeeper]

Plus, only take em out in the summer, that's a good guide line.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Linds]

One snake at a time... kept away from possible escape scenarios (holes, trees, etc)... don't let them stay out in direct sunlight for too long, since they are nocturnal, their skin is not made to handle the strong rays for extended periods of time... have fun! :)

[Stockwell]

I'm dead against taking herps outside, especially if they will be visible to neighbours or any member of the general public. I couldn't begin to tell you how many people end up in hot water over this. You need to respect that we are weird, and the rest of the world isn't.We're the minority and always will be.
The majority are not comfortable seeing herps, it terrifies many people, and exposing non herpers to the sight of large lizards and snakes especially, can have the bylaw or animal control at your door quicker than you can dial 911.
Plus beware that sunlight can make herps abnormally hyper and fast, and aggressive.. Every summer we have something in the papers or on the nightly news about Iguanas up trees or boas sneaking in someones open window....
Such stories have a negative effect on all exotic keepers.
Also of concern, UV can be tough on the eyes of herps that are ground or canopy dwellers and not used to it, not to mention lawn sprays, fertilizers and other toxins, plus there is a heightened chance of respiratory problems if herps get exposed to the elements, especially wind.
My vote
Keep em inside, at all times!! It keeps the animals safe, and you out of trouble with the locals

[Jeff Hathaway]

I'm with Roy! Unless you have a specific reason to take them outside, don't!

I've taken a few specimens outside for photo shoots, and I would agree with the guidelines mentioned above- one animal at a time, and be aware of escape risks, etc. I doubt that their skin is sensitive enough to be a problem over a short period, though. Snake scales are generally pretty tough, IMO.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

[corr]

The simple fact that the neighbours might freak out keeps me from taking my herps onto the open lawn. When I do take them out, it's mostly on the secluded part of the deck where noone else can see.

Like Roy said, non-herp keepers just don't understand and I'd really hate to have my pets taken away from me. I've had my Ball Python called a Cobra and my Bearded Dragon called an Iguana.

[LISA127]

We're weird? Who says? lol

Anyway, I keep mine inside also. Nobody can understand my love for herps, so I keep them inside. Personally, I can't understand their revulsion. All animals are wonderful. (except arachnids...yuck! lol)

[Mardy]

Plus all kinds of little bugs,mites,worms can be picked up and brought into your herp room.

MArdy

[jncoclub]

Pretty much I wanted to take them outside for a short photo shoot. My roommate got a digital camera and I wanted to help break it in for him.
Originally posted by Mardy
Plus all kinds of little bugs,mites,worms can be picked up and brought into your herp room.
Pretty much that is what I was looking for. I brought my hog isle out once and she bee-lined for a hole that was 10 feet away. How do they do that? They always know exactly where not to go.
I live in a town house and 2 sets of neighbors on one side know we have them and are cool with them. We don’t talk to the other neighbors. Everything we have is relatively small (for now). I just want to take pictures of and with everyone because I have to find them all new homes (I’m moving to Hawaii in October).

[Invictus]

The only snake I would ever take outside would be an Indigo, because they are one of the only diurnal snakes. The rest of them will be quite happy not seeing direct sunlight, I think.

[Linds]

I most of my snakes outside for photoshoots in the summer, as well during that time I let some stretch out and get some excercise. I never take them in the front yard for the reasons forementioned by Roy and Corr, but I have a large backyard with high fences and lots of trees. I house my iguana outside during the summer months, and have never experienced any problems as a result, in fact I attribute her old age to this. My tortoise also goes outside, but is too small to be out all day. I wouldn't be worried about your snake picking up anything, especially in such a short period of time. Worst case scenario is an ant would ride into your house :p

[Jeff Hathaway]

I wouldn't worry overly about the sunlight. We use everything from garters, milks, corns, balls, boas and more outside at some venues such as provincial parks, conservation areas, etc. Even mostly nocturnal snakes like eastern milks can be found out and about in the wild on sunny days occasionally. We've never seen anything react badly to being in the sun, with the obvious caveat about being careful that they don't get too hot. It is quite possible to overheat a snake, especially a small one, just by handling it in the sun.

The bugs that might get onto your snake wouldn't be any worse than what might wander into your house on their own.

Neighbours and escapes are the only serious issues, IMO.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!