Opinions on bringing your reptiles outside

[Calihusker]

As the title says, some people believe it's detrimental to the animal's health, others do it normally. Some just enjoy allowing their reptiles to explore in the grass, other do it for photographic purposes.

I personally don't have the biggest problem with it, but I only do it on rare occasion.

What's your take?

[CK SandBoas]

As the title says, some people believe it's detrimental to the animal's health, others do it normally. Some just enjoy allowing their reptiles to explore in the grass, other do it for photographic purposes.

I personally don't have the biggest problem with it, but I only do it on rare occasion.

What's your take?

I bring mine outside, when the weather is optimal, for photography purposes, for short periods of time, meaning at most, 5-10 minutes. I do let them explore their surroundings while they are outside, keeping a very close eye on them, and when i'm done with the photos, back in their enclosures they go. But i always make sure to wipe them down with a damp paper towel after their outdoor adventures, just to clean any dirt off them.

[SnakeyJay]

I do it for photos on warm days :)

[Terranaut]

Weather permitting get them outside.

[Jendee]

I take mine outside everyone the weather is nice, but I will say they have to be supervised. I've had one get in a predicament in a matter of seconds as I was looking away. something as simple as trying to slither through the back slates of a chair left him scared for many yrs. so make sure you have the time, and think about obstacle s ahead of time ;)

[alessia55]

If the weather is right, I take them out for a few minutes to snap some photos. They are 100% supervised.

[Donnie]

I do it for photos on warm days :)

When you say days you can only mean 2 and that is if we are lucky :):)

As said if weather is good enough then outside for a few pictures

[Zoo Nanny]

I think that so long as you know there are no pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn, weather is warm and you are able to pay close attention and control them then the natural sunshine is good for them.

[SnakeyJay]

When you say days you can only mean 2 and that is if we are lucky :):)

As said if weather is good enough then outside for a few pictures

Sometimes we get lucky tho eh ;) just always be ready to grab them... They're so thick it's unbelievable. "I can fit through there.... Wait, no I'm stuck"

[EmbraceCalamity]

For Christmas there's a thing where they have the guy who runs a cat rescue here dresses up as Santa, and you can get your pet's pictures taken with him. I heard them advertising it on the radio, and they said you could even bring your snakes. And this is done outside. In the winter. In northern PA. I heard that and was like, "WTF? NO." But, alas, they can't hear me through the radio. Still, it was pretty disturbing. =/

~Maggot

[Lankyrob]

I take mine outside for pics, if i had a secure and more importantly tidy garden i would let them roam a little with 100% supervision but i havent so they get taken out in our arms only :) and only when (if) it is warm enough :)

[StudentoReptile]

Well, for most of the year, I keep my tortoises and turtles outdoors. Natural sunlight and southern U.S. humidity beats anything I can attempt indoors, plus I can allow each animal much more space.

[Gungirl]

I agree with taking them out in your yard for short periods of time when the temps are ok . I disagree with people taking them on walks... it is not a dog it does not need to walk the streets with you.

[StudentoReptile]

As long as it is supervised and the animal is somewhat controlled/restrained in a proper setting (your own property, educational presentation/lecture, trip to the vet, etc.), I don't see an issue with it.

Like GG said, walking through the mall with your snake around your shoulders is another matter entirely.

[Corey209]

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a large biome like a green house that simulates an area similar to the amazon all year. That'd be an awesome project.

[dinosaurdammit]

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a large biome like a green house that simulates an area similar to the amazon all year. That'd be an awesome project.

look up on google "biodome 2" its in my back yard basically and its does just that.

[Zoo Nanny]

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a large biome like a green house that simulates an area similar to the amazon all year. That'd be an awesome project.

It's very expensive but doable. The Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary has set up a large quonset shape habitat for rescued african grey parrots. Half of it is enclosed with heat and ac. The other half is stainless mesh aviary. The entire thing inside and out is dirt floor with natural trees and plants growing. They have also recently installed a beautiful waterfall and stream. If I remember the dimensions are somewhere around 20' wide by 100' long and 12 high. I was lucky and was invited to attend the open house a couple of years ago. Very overwhelming. Here are some pics I took during the open house.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/BE2Cassie/Project%20Perry%20Open%20House/100_0596.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/BE2Cassie/Project%20Perry%20Open%20House/100_0606.jpg
They also have smaller ones for the little birds.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/BE2Cassie/Project%20Perry%20Open%20House/100_0625.jpg
Project Perry - The Central Virginia Parrot Sanctuary > At the Sanctuary > The Grey Aviary (http://www.projectperry.com/the_grey_aviary.php)

[infernalis]

I think that so long as you know there are no pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn, weather is warm and you are able to pay close attention and control them then the natural sunshine is good for them.

My 40 acre lot has been in my family for 3 generations now, The only fertilizer we have ever used is manure, and I don't allow pesticides, neither did my parents or grandparents...


56a93F4DiUg

http://www.reptard.info/2011Herp/habitat2.jpg

[Revenant]

I vote allow it, but obviously you have to be aware of any dangers- weather, pesticides, predators, exposure to neighbors who may be nosy/intolerant, convenient escape opportunities, etc. If you're smart about it, it is a good photo op and stimulation for the herp.

[Zoo Nanny]

My 40 acre lot has been in my family for 3 generations now, The only fertilizer we have ever used is manure, and I don't allow pesticides, neither did my parents or grandparents...


56a93F4DiUg

http://www.reptard.info/2011Herp/habitat2.jpg

Wayne I'm really jealous, your land looks incredible very tranquil. You're in upstate NY aren't you? Beautiful area. I lived on a farm in Maine many years ago and loved just taking off and hiking through the virgin woods behind the farm. We are really lucky in my neighborhood. The entire county is sprayed for mosquitoes by truck. We live on a lake within 100 yards of a school so we are in a red zone. No spray! My yard and trees are pesticide free and we don't use fertilizers. I like to be able to cut the branches for the birds.

[infernalis]

My mosquito control method....

http://www.thamnophis.us/herp/sign.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/herp/frog.jpg

[Pirarucu]

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a large biome like a green house that simulates an area similar to the amazon all year. That'd be an awesome project.It takes a lot of planning and a lot more money, but it can be done, and if done right, it is absolutely amazing. I would know, I do volunteer work in one.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Rainforest_Pyramid_Moody_Gardens.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1e/19/b6/inside-rainforest-pyramid.jpg

Those are just some old pics off Google. I'll see about getting some current ones soon, it's come a long way.

[TragicTaste]

It takes a lot of planning and a lot more money, but it can be done, and if done right, it is absolutely amazing. I would know, I do volunteer work in one.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Rainforest_Pyramid_Moody_Gardens.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1e/19/b6/inside-rainforest-pyramid.jpg

Those are just some old pics off Google. I'll see about getting some current ones soon, it's come a long way.

It is much easier down here on the coast though, since we have pretty much 9mnth long summers, and its not uncommon to see 100% humidity.

Ive thought of doing this before, maybe Ill make it a summer project!

[Rogue628]

I take mine out when the weather is good and that includes humidity. I have a back yard with a privacy fence so I don't have to worry people seeing them. I usually take them out when my son is cleaning their tubs. It gives them a chance to explore a new area and get some natural heat and sun. I try to take pics when they're out as well. But sometimes I get so caught up in watching them I forget to take pictures lol

[Zoo Nanny]

My mosquito control method....

http://www.thamnophis.us/herp/sign.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.us/herp/frog.jpg

That's about what we have also, lots of frogs and toads. We also get a ton of bats. Even though they were suppose to be really bad this year we didn't have much of a problem. They really didn't come out until after the sun went down.

[Terranaut]

It takes a lot of planning and a lot more money, but it can be done, and if done right, it is absolutely amazing. I would know, I do volunteer work in one.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Rainforest_Pyramid_Moody_Gardens.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/1e/19/b6/inside-rainforest-pyramid.jpg

Those are just some old pics off Google. I'll see about getting some current ones soon, it's come a long way.


Considering the palm trees outside of the structure I would assume it isn't to difficult to maintain the temps and humidity in there. I would love to see that here.
We have a butterfly sanctuary near us that is a living jungle inside and very well done. We go there once in a while during the winter.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-138.jpg

[infernalis]

That's about what we have also, lots of frogs and toads. We also get a ton of bats. Even though they were suppose to be really bad this year we didn't have much of a problem. They really didn't come out until after the sun went down.

Bats are awesome.;)

[Pareeeee]

Bats are awesome.;)

I wish it was legal to keep them as pets XD

Anyway, I voted 'allow'. I take mine out for photography purposes, or sometimes for some exploring, but they are always within a few feet of me and under strict supervision. All depends on the weather, but usually our summers have several days in the high 80's, low 90's. If I had, say, a Corn or Garter I would not put them on the ground, they move wayyy too fast! Not sure how fast a BP could move if it wanted to...

[Pirarucu]

Considering the palm trees outside of the structure I would assume it isn't to difficult to maintain the temps and humidity in there. I would love to see that here.
We have a butterfly sanctuary near us that is a living jungle inside and very well done. We go there once in a while during the winter.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-138.jpgIn the summer, it's hard to keep the top level from overheating.. During the winter it's still nice and warm on sunny days.

[Zoo Nanny]

Bats are awesome.;)
They are! With so much woodlands and wetlands on your property you must have quite a few flying about in the summer.
I love bats, can't find a cuter little face than flying foxes and other fruit bats. Some of the brown bats are pretty cute too.
To keep them as a pet you would need to have the rabies vaccine and then have the titers checked yearly. The vaccine doesn't always take and you don't know how long it will last for you. When I had my titer taken after a year it was 0, others I know are still going strong after 10 years. I think the gov is too fearful of people not following through with the vaccines and having an increase in rabies cases in people.

[Pareeeee]

They are! With so much woodlands and wetlands on your property you must have quite a few flying about in the summer.
I love bats, can't find a cuter little face than flying foxes and other fruit bats. Some of the brown bats are pretty cute too.
To keep them as a pet you would need to have the rabies vaccine and then have the titers checked yearly. The vaccine doesn't always take and you don't know how long it will last for you. When I had my titer taken after a year it was 0, others I know are still going strong after 10 years. I think the gov is too fearful of people not following through with the vaccines and having an increase in rabies cases in people.


It's probably illegal here anyway, knowing Canadian laws. I'm lucky I can have my snakes...but bats would be such an adorable pet!

I was supposed to have the rabies shots years back when I worked at the vet clinic, but they never ordered them like they said they would...I did, however, have my tetanus renewed, THAT was the most painful need I have ever had.

I have never heard the word "titer" before, what does it mean?

[Zoo Nanny]

Titer refers to the immunity your body builds to the rabies virus once you've gotten the vaccine. In my case after receiving the vaccine my body fought off the vaccine leaving me with no immunity to rabies. The day I found out I had three bats crawling on me! My doctor wouldn't redo the vaccine because I have too many severe allergies and she was fearful of a possible reaction to it. It was a little scary because I had been bitten by two baby opossum during the year, the last bite only two weeks before.