Taking snakes outside

[marionsclan]

Me again!

I've seen pictures of people taking their snakes outside and letting them roam in the grass or the tree and I was curious about them picking up parasites, etc.

The grass is full of critters that could cause harm to a snake so I'm wondering how safe it is for them. Especially because there is so much talk about keeping the tank/viv clean and watch for mites, etc.

[Damion930]

Snake mites don't live long without a host so unless your yard is a snake highway your probably not going to pick them up outside. I have been reading that they are not as common in the wild as they are in captivity. Ther is a belief that the originated from a single location possibly a single species and have been spread in the pet trade. Again just what I've read not positive of the validity. Generaly you are going to get mites because you have been exposed to someones collection that has mites. I blame chain pet stores lol and ppl at expos just in it for a buck

[whoaxmary]

;/ I proactively use nix solution whenever I go my big monthly enclosure clean out so I don't really worry to much - as Damion said it's not really the outside mites that get us. It's the mites from petstores, substrate, new pets, etc.

I'm very curious to some vetrans opinions on this?

[stephanbakir]

;/ I proactively use nix solution whenever I go my big monthly enclosure clean out so I don't really worry to much - as Damion said it's not really the outside mites that get us. It's the mites from petstores, substrate, new pets, etc.

I'm very curious to some vetrans opinions on this?
Nix is something we use during cleanings just in case, havent had an outbreak yet and our snakes used to go out once a month.

[infernalis]

;/ I proactively use nix solution whenever I go my big monthly enclosure clean out so I don't really worry to much - as Damion said it's not really the outside mites that get us. It's the mites from petstores, substrate, new pets, etc.

I'm very curious to some vetrans opinions on this?


Yes mites exist in the wild, but on a much lesser scale.

In the wild, a snake with mites will shed it's skin and leave the mites behind with the old skin.

In captivity we force the snake to live in a confined space WITH that shed skin, this simply allows the mites to return to the host snake.


I have been placing many of my herps on my lawn for photo shoots and letting some of my larger snakes roam, and I have never found mites on them as a result.

I have captured many snakes on my property and never found one with mites.

[Coffee Black]

Was at an expo in April and a breeder mentioned something about his whole collection becoming infested after a show and how much time and money it took to get rid of everything. He was hardcore about everyone using antibacterial and he said all of the snakes he doesn't sell at an expo go into quarantine when they get home. Tells you something right there about places with large amounts of animals.

[stephanbakir]

Expos are notorious for having mites, 99% of the animals wont have it, but the potential is there, so quarantine is a must with any animal from an expo, but then again.. any new animal = quarantine...

[lpbldg18]

Picked up my JCP from an expo, No mites! :D

[SnakeyJay]

Just got my boa 2day.. She looks clean and I got her from genetic gems at an expo so im hoping lol.

[Coffee Black]

All but one snake I've ever had I got from an expo. Never had mites. Quarantine is just good because the potential is there.

[Dehlida]

It's a stress for the animal, scares the public, and your outdoors probably do not have the right temps/humidity for the snake. Keep your snake inside in its enclosure. For you and the snake.

[Will0W783]

I take my larger snakes outside, because they are just too large to handle in the narrow hallways of my townhouse...at least with cats running around. I keep the snakes and cats from ever meeting.
I do a 15 minute soak when I bring the snakes back in and haven't ever had mites. But I still soak anyway to be safe. I've been really pleasantly surprised that the 3 snakes to join my ranks this year have not had any mites on them. They're still in quarantine, but it's always nice to not find them.

[stephanbakir]

You have an awesome yard kim :) I never could bring my larger animals into my yard (also a large yard) because it is full of apple trees and raspberry bushes lol, If any of them got into those I would never be able to get them out without the snakes permission:P
God I miss my snakes :( Cuddling up with Kirana now lol, shes sleeping on my legs.

[marvelfreak]

I take mine out for photo shots and so they can get some fresh air. I always do it in my back yard. On warm sunny days. You always get the best pictures in natural sun light. My snakes love it they never want to go back in. I can take my laziest snake my Borneo out and she all over the place. Her tongue always going a mile a minute. In her cage she will never move from under her water bowl. I always give them a soak or take a damp towel and wipe them down before returning them to their cage. Plus i check over them very carefully. Also i always have a extra set of hands to help me when i take them out. Just in case you get a runner.

[KD35WIN.AS.ONE]

God I miss my snakes :(

What?? where are they?

[marionsclan]

I always give them a soak or take a damp towel and wipe them down before returning them to their cage. Plus i check over them very carefully.

This is excellent advice cuz in some areas there are chitlins and who knows what else. I think I will take mine out once he is done shedding.

[stephanbakir]

What?? where are they?
I had to get rid of them when I got my surgery. I had to go 6 months before I was "back on my feet" and 8ish before I was more or less normal.
Still got 1 surgery to go but it will be a cakewalk.

[radstusky]

I've taken my JCP outside only one time so far. I agree there probably isn't much concern about picking up mites outside. The only concern I have is that (in the case of a python anyway), I'm taking a nocturnal animal outside when he would normally be sleeping the day away inside his hide. It seems to me that this might be a bit stressful for him. I normally don't bother him during the daytime hours at all. I mean his eye slits were really teeny outside in the bright sun! Great for photos though. :)

[marvelfreak]

This is excellent advice cuz in some areas there are chitlins and who knows what else. I think I will take mine out once he is done shedding.
Thanks! also be very careful about letting them climb in trees. Check out this thread we get on that topic in it. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-discussion/83311-outdoors-reptile-pictures.html

[stephanbakir]

Trees are make great photos, but once you need to get him out its hell, that and some trees have oils that are bad for snakes.