Wildfire smoke! Help!

Nobodyspecial · 08-12-12, 10:33 PM

So for the past week or so the foot hills surrounding Boise have been caught up in some huge wild fires. (They're only 3% contained at this point.) The smoke has just been settling into the valley and its at the point where going outside it looks like you're walking into fog. Going out in it is actually making me ill. (Given that I work in the nursery department of a home improvement store I have been a bit more exposed to it than the rest of my family, so I don't think its bothering them quite as much...) Staying inside naturally helps, but my dads place is incredibly drafty (rental house). So smoke is still getting in, and still making me sick at least.

I know I'll be fine, but I'm REALLY worried about the effect on my ball pythons. They're in the least drafty room in the house, but I know they can be kind of sensitive. Is there anything I can do to make sure they're at least protected a bit more from the smoke that is making its way into the house? Moving them out of the valley is unfortunately not an option, the only friends that could keep them temporarily are also stuck with the smoke. Even then who knows when they're going to be able to get the fire under control.

Am I just overreacting about this?

limey · 08-12-12, 10:43 PM

Although they'll probably be okay, it might be best to put their enclosures low to the ground, because smoke rises. I'd have their viv on the carpet in the corner of the room and try to keep the air circulating with a small fan.

Unless there's plumes of smoke floating around inside the home - I wouldn't worry too much. Most animals are hardier than you might think.

Nobodyspecial · 08-12-12, 10:55 PM

Thankfully their enclosures are pretty much on the ground in a corner. I keep them in pretty much a snake book case kinda thing, that's about 2 1/2 feet high + the 20g Long my little female pastel is in currently on top. The fan sounds like a good idea, I'll move one in there.

Thank you, I'm just really protective of them. I was just really worried about the idea of them getting an RI or something worse from this stupid smoke.

infernalis · 08-12-12, 11:02 PM

Ball pythons are subjected to the real deal in Africa. During the dry season, the grasslands burn frequently.

Even though much life gets destroyed, the snakes and lizards pull through just fine by going underground until the flames pass.

Your BP are a lot more rugged than you would think.

Other than that, since their oxygen requirements are like a thousand times less than ours, they take much smaller breaths, and a lot less frequently than mammals do.

Just take the precautions people are advising you here, and you should be fine when it's over.

Nobodyspecial · 08-12-12, 11:12 PM

Will do! Thanks guys I appreciate it. Sorry I panicked, you're right their wild counterparts live through this crap being out in the middle of it, and they handled being shipped cross country in a small box already. I guess I was mostly worried because it was making me sick. Kinda the whole mom making her kids take a coat because she thinks its too cold outside kinda thing lol.

DavethePython · 08-19-12, 02:57 PM

Unless you are at risk of the fires encroaching on your home you are probably fine . Just keep doing what you are doing . Our oldest ball is a rescue from a pretty severe apt fire and she pulled through just fine . Has been over a year now and she has no signs of I'll effect . While she was not subjected to the flames , she was subject to heavy smoke , which I would bet is far more harmful in a structure fire than a wild fire with all the toxins from building materials and personal effects burning . Another thing you can tryin coveri g them with damp towels if it is possible , creating a makeshift air filter much like we would do trying to get out of heavy smoke .