Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was in the St. Patrick's Day parade and saw a man walking around with a large boa. Just wondering your opinions on a few things. What temp. range would you take a boa outside for an extended period of time? Would it matter if he was in direct sunlight or would you keep him in the shade? Would it matter if it was a windy day?
Also, I take pictures of my boas outside when its warm. What are the risks of doing this? I have seen pictures with their boa in the grass. Do you have to be concerned about bringing mites or something else that is not wanted back into your collection? Has anyone also noticed their sweet little boa turning into a hissing devil once its outside? Any info or opinions would be great. Thanks.
Michael Burton

Taking a boa out is a great idea.I like to take them out for pictures.For some reason the natural sunlight really shows the real colors.You really shouldn't be concerned about mites since the only species that infect boa's or any snake is a SNAKE MITE.I however DO HAVE A PROBLEM with taking your snake out to public places.I think it is just bad publicity for snake keepers to SHOW OFF their animal to the public.Not all people love snakes and it unfortunately makes it WORSE for us herpers.It gives us BAD PRESS.I think the showing of your snakes should only be in a controlled or educational enviroment.Good luck and enjoy the sun.
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Ashley Lopez's Black Forest Constrictors.
blackforestconstrictors@gmail.com

if it is warm enough, i will take my snakes outside (one at a time, mind you) for a few minutes. average time is about 20 minutes. long enough to snap a few pics and let them get some exercise. as far as public "displaying", i feel we have every right to walk into petsmart with our boas, but unfortunately this isnt a perfect world. however, if im outside with my snake and you complain, well then get off my property.

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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa

Taking your boas out in public is a great way to promote them. It opens new people to them. I brought one of mine in to work the other day. We had a new girl working that freaked when I walked in. By explaining about snakes, by the time I left, she was petting her. She was nowhere near holding her, but in an hour, great progress was made.

I love taking my boas out in the front yard on warm days and showing them off. Every once in a while I'll get a bad reaction, but it goes with the territory. The only way to improve acceptance and understanding is to subject people to them.

If we aren't willing to help the naive and ignorrant people out, we are doing ourselves a disservice.

...Some snakes get more aggressive if they get a taste of freedom. I have one that doesn't matter if it's inside the house roaming or outside, once she is free, she doesn't want to go back. If you are just holding her, she is probably much more fearful with all the new sights, smells, and sounds outside...sensory overload sort of thing....or perhaps she smells a yummy bird or cat.

I can't do outside pics, because where my house is situated, the sun always seems to hit it head on, hence no real shade.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

I agree with your ideal of sensory overload. I think the largest reason our snakes get "flighty" or whatever is because the majority of our snakes spend their time in a 2'X4' cages or smaller on paper towels/newspaper/aspen etc. When they are placed outside they are very unfamiliar with everything their senses are picking up on (sights,smells,sounds,wind etc.) Or the basic feeling of the grass as they crawl on it.

I think they are extremely stressed out. I live in Michigan and my snakes do go outside a few times a year, not nearly enough to make them comfortable or used to it.

In a nutshell...unfamiliarity is probably why.

Bob McPhee

Thanks to all who replied. I am still curious what is the coolest and warmest temp you would take them outside in? Any opinions?
Michael Burton

I do live in a cold climate, so it rarely gets hot as most of you guys know it (perhaps 3-4 days of the year get over 30C). Basically, if it feels warm, it's good for my reptiles. IF it's hot enough out where I"m not wanting to play sports then I'll keep the snakes inside.

Ian

as per the outdoors, I'm not much of a showman, but I do walk with mine in the city parks on occasion. Nothing different than walking your dog I guess, and people have room to avoid you if they'd like.

chances... but I dont take my boas outside unless its 70 - 75 degrees. That way if the sun is right on them they will warm up to the 80-85 range... which is right where they should be. I dont like to take them out in the wind. The time I kept boas in FL I never had any problems.. no RI's or bugs brought in. I took my boas out fairly often. I am in MI now and have only had the chance to take them out a few times (winter).
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Take Care,

-Ryan Homsey

www.topnotchboas.com

Michael Burton

that the stress could possibly cause health issues?
I have only occasionally taken my boas outside (PA), but I was just curious.

I think that stress could definitely cause health issues over a prolonged amount of time. I think that more likely is that stress brings out underlying present conditions to the surface. Definitely something to ponder.

Bob McPhee

I think it depends on the health of your boa. If you have a healthy boa, stress won't be damaging, but I would start off slow, only a few minutes outside, then progress slowly to longer outings, that way they have a chance to get used to new things. However, if your boa is not so healthy, any added stress could be harmful.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

that it depends on your snake's personality. If your snake act distraught at doing anything new, it is probably not the best candidate for outdoor exploration. But, if it is laid back and sits on your shoulders like a rug and doesn't much care what you do, it should be fine going outdoors. Just keep an eye on it's behaviour.
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Delusions of Grandeur feed the EGO...

Michael Burton

Michael Burton

i think everyone has forgotten one main reason why we take our snakes outside...EXERCISE!
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Surinam Redtail Boa