Anything I should be aware of before I take my snake outside?

[stkkts]

I want to bring my ball python to the park. He has only been outside in the fresh air once, and I think he will enjoy it. Although last time he seemed extremely confused. In any case, should I be concerened about anything? Such as pesticides being used, or herbicides, or potential mites and other bugs? What sort of pre-field trip preperation should I take, and do I have to do any sort of decontamination afterwards?

[drewlowe]

one thing to worry about are the people there what if they are scared of snakes, or what if your snake is scared of people. Me personaly i wouldn't take my snakes to a park maybe in the back yard but not in public like that.

[stkkts]

the only thing my snake is scared of is.....well everything =P

I dont really care if people are scared of him. Its a huge field, where no one will really come in contact with us. Im most concerned about the park rangers. My GF pointed out there may be a leash law. I can just picture that conversation.
"Son, you cant have that animal here because it doesnt have a leash on it"
"But officer, it is a leash"

or something like that.

[reverendsterlin]

snake in public=bad news(and hopefully not bad news story)

[Oliverian]

You should mabye just take it out in your backyard.. it would be the same to the snake. Just make sure there are no cats or dogs around... they might decide to attack. Be careful, and have fun. :P ~TR~

[lilyskip]

i don't think it's a good idea to take it too the park, especially if you don't care if people are afraid of him. All it takes is one person who overreacts to the snake and you foster a huge anti-herp sentiment...

[stkkts]

good point. the backyard is a no-no because im not supposed to have pets in the house I rent, and my roomates are paranoid my neighbors will tell my landlord.

[Oliverian]

Yikes... so you're saying you're not allowed to have pets on your property, and yet you have a large snake? If you get caught, you could lose your home, and your roomates might lose theirs too...
But anyways... mabye you could explain to a friend that your snake needs some fresh air, and they might let it crawl around on THEIR lawn. Good luck though, and I hope you have friends who like snakes. ~TR~

[Andy_G]

Don't bring it to the park, it will freak someone out enough to phone the police or something extremely idiotic like that and then there is a high potential of an appeal to ban snakes in your area...wish things were different...

[Mike177]

Yikes... so you're saying you're not allowed to have pets on your property, and yet you have a large snake?
i wouldn't call a ball python a large snake.

there are several reasons that it is probably not a good idea to take your snake in a public area. 1) you snake is a ball python and although it is just a moderate sized snake it still belongs in the boid family and some cities (it varies between cities) have had problems with burms and retics getting lose or have heard of those kind of stories and have just completely banned anything out of the family boid. There was a case of a man who ran a snake rescue for large constrictors and told that to the animal control officers in-case they had any come through there. they returned the favor by telling him he had 48 hours to get rid of all of his snakes or they would fine him a HUGE amount for every day he still had them. 2) it is not good publicity for herps when you put someone in a situation where they cant escape there fears. in my opinion people should just learn to walk away from things that bother them, but it is extremely important to respect peoples feelings (after all how would you feel if a man came to the park with a big bag of fresh caught ratters and started chopping their heads off in public?).

i think it is a good idea to let your snakes get some room to crawl every now and then but it would be a much better idea to find a spot out away from the public to ovoid conflicts.

[lordkovacs]

yeah, i wouldn't risk it...really, there is no need. if your snake hasn't been outside, why start? wouldn't it just cause stress and confusion? anyway, good luck, and be safe if you do take him out. cheers,
MIKE

[Stockwell]

There's alot of good advice here, and I agee with the general concensus
Don't take snakes outside!!! Never lose sight of the fact that we are a tiny minority and always will be, despite the good work of the educators in our ranks.
It's people taking stuff outside that is partly responsible for prohibitive legislation and bylaws, because the mere sight of snakes upsets most people.
Out of sight is out of mind.
When people have to contend with the sight of snakes, while having a family picnic in the park, you just know there could be complaints.
I see you're in New Jersey. Have you checked your local municipal bylaws. Boids of all types are prohibited in many towns all over North America.
Even if there is no bylaw,why be the catalyst for one and why jeopardize getting discovered and possibly evicted from your building and losing your animals.
Frankly, I just don't get why herpers seem to think snakes need to go out to play.. This is folly and more dangerous than some seem to realize.

[Oliverian]

yet you have a large snake Oops.... don't know what I was thinking there. I really don't know.. I guess my imagination got carried away and I pictured you with this huge burmese or something. Hehe... Oh well, you get my point. ~TR~

[Lisa]

Your snake doesn't need fresh air unless you are a heavy smoker or such, in which case i'd suggest opening a window.

[stkkts]

BAH! this stinks. I know he likes being outside, although it confuses him. The one time he was out, he kept his body hidden in the grass, and just stuck his head up over it to see what was going on. He looked like the lochness monster. it was precious.

[Lisa]

There may also be laws about displaying an exotic animal to the public with out a licence.

Also, how do you know that the snake likes being outside? the one time you had him out he stayed hidden except for his head. that doesn't sound like enjoyment.

[Siretsap]

I don't think he "likes" being outside. I just think he explores new territory. I doubt he actually has a feeling that goes through him saying: Hey this is cool, wish I could crawl in the grass more often!.
Don't take it to a park, too many dangers by mostly other people around you. Find a friend who has a back yard or something and take him there.

[stkkts]

ok well then maybe I should ask about just taking him outside in general. what should I be worried about in regards to pesticides, herbicides, potential mites, things of that nature. Should I do anything to protect him from these things?

[Lisa]

Originally posted by stkkts
ok well then maybe I should ask about just taking him outside in general. what should I be worried about in regards to pesticides, herbicides, potential mites, things of that nature. Should I do anything to protect him from these things?


best prevention is not to put him in the situation in the first place.

[Linds]

If you do choose to take your snake outside, there are many things you need to be aware of, and precautions you need to take. Make sure you are out of the public (this includes nosy neighbours) such as a fenced in backyard. You need to be certain you know the history of the lawn, and that no pesticides were used, etc. You need to be aware of any possible escapes (rocks, holes, trees, gardens, etc) and keep your snake away from them. DO not keep your snake out for extended periods of time, they are nocturnal animals and are sensitive to the suns powerful rays, as well as it can be stressful for them to be out in new surroundings. Its all pretty much common sense.

[Solid Snake]

well me, i know my snake doesn't care if i bring him out or not. I just love to see him outside in the grass and trees. I'll think to myself that he like it but doesn't care. Maybe thats what you want to? Just to see him crawl all over?

What i do is after being oustide, i give him a bath in the tub, let him swim around for a minute so all the insects get off of'em.