Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I am looking into a ball python and after reading the posts with temps and humidity . I was thinking of possibly housing him when I get him in my backyard screened patio (Miami).

Its shaded NO direct sun but hot/humid . I would say 10 months a year its in mid-high 80s during day maybe high 70s/low 80s at night and humid .

I can ofcourse just as easily house him indoors but thought this temp might be ideal ? . The patio I access from my room so easy to bring him in if chilly 2 months a year .The cage is a vision plastic cage with air vents .

Any input good idea/bad idea? I keep my tokay there in large enclosure he thrives but not sure if BP would

Thanks

Lia

I haven't given that much thought, being in Michigan and all , but Florida weather would probably be good for a ball. If in a tank though, you'll have to be careful of overheating if sunlight can hit the glass directly.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Posted by: ginebig at Wed Oct 10 05:33:46 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I haven't given that much thought, being in Michigan and all , but Florida weather would probably be good for a ball. If in a tank though, you'll have to be careful of overheating if sunlight can hit the glass directly.

Quig

Lol yes Mich is cold but I am sure more people there keep herps than here in Miami infact I have not been able to even find a reptile club within driving distance .
When I lived upstate NY there were 2 reptile clubs and lots herp keepers . There is a canal not far from me and full of turtles ,water snakes etc.
I find it neat and like to watch them yet no one in the area even notices nor cares lol.
I am going to place the vision enclosure in shaded area near my tokay as your right the sun here in a few minutes can raise temp very high.

Thanks

Something to keep an eye on. The vision cage, being fully enclosed, may heat up any ways. Do you have some way to measure the temp inside the vision? Something like an aquarium with a screen top might serve you better in this case. Just a thought.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Thats a good point I plan to monitor the temp in the empty vision cage week or more to see if it gets warmer than air temp.
I plan if I do it as many here made good points why for a ball might not be good idea to put the vision near my tokays enclosure which is shade regardless of how much sun.

Thanks again

I live in Miami and have keep/have kept snakes outside, its fine. The only concerns are...

insects, both the crawlers and fliers.

direct sun = death

November - February, bring em inside. The temps can drop to the 40's at night.

Don't even concern youself with the rest.

I have heard, or read of this being done. I live in Connecticut, so I would be able to leave them out about 3 days...right! I would recommend getting a heat panel or setting up some other type of back-up heater with a temperature sensor. Just in case you were out or at night and the temps dropped suddenly and unexpectedly by some fluke. This way the snake(s)would have a source of heat to go to if they needed it.

I like the idea of giving the snakes a more natural experience.

~Alan

Posted by: zefdin at Wed Oct 10 06:52:40 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I have heard, or read of this being done. I live in Connecticut, so I would be able to leave them out about 3 days...right! I would recommend getting a heat panel or setting up some other type of back-up heater with a temperature sensor. Just in case you were out or at night and the temps dropped suddenly and unexpectedly by some fluke. This way the snake(s)would have a source of heat to go to if they needed it.

I like the idea of giving the snakes a more natural experience.

~Alan

Ct is not bad you have hot summer. I lived upstate moved here 2 yrs ago . The heat sensor is a good idea with an UTH that will work in Dec,Jan though will bring him inside if to cold but good idea never thought of it .
I use a black reptile spotlight for the tokay if needed though last year needed it 4 days only.
Ct is a nice state I call it Martha Stewart country .

thanks

Too many variables outdoors.. Indoor keeping is ideal because you, not mother nature, controls the temperatures and everything else.
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Ball pythons: 1.4 normals.. 1.0 Spider. 1.0 Graz pastel. 1.0 100% het or. ghost. 0.0.8 hatchlings (Pastel/norm), and 4 eggs still cooking. Also 1.0 BCI boa. 0.2 horses (paint mares) 1.0 black cat, 1.0 fiancee, 2.3 clawed frogs. And a ton of freshwater fish and breeder rats.

"Too many variables outdoors.. Indoor keeping is ideal because you, not mother nature, controls the temperatures and everything else."

I agree... last week I was in Hialeah. The temp jumped up to 102 (in the shade). It wasn't for long, but it shows that the temps are harder to control. Indoors you can set the air conditioner's thermostat to 90 to keep from over heating. You'll have a tough time doing the same thing outdoors.

Just my 2 cents

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Larry Walker

WebSite

Posted by: Ginevive at Wed Oct 10 09:56:06 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Too many variables outdoors.. Indoor keeping is ideal because you, not mother nature, controls the temperatures and everything else.
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Ball pythons: 1.4 normals.. 1.0 Spider. 1.0 Graz pastel. 1.0 100% het or. ghost. 0.0.8 hatchlings (Pastel/norm), and 4 eggs still cooking. Also 1.0 BCI boa. 0.2 horses (paint mares) 1.0 black cat, 1.0 fiancee, 2.3 clawed frogs. And a ton of freshwater fish and breeder rats.

Thats my concern your right so not sure . Some keep snakes outside in patio areas with shade but they seem to house bigger snakes in big enclosures not small vision cages so not sure if will do it.
It has pros/cons

Thanks

Posted by: Ginevive at Wed Oct 10 09:56:06 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Too many variables outdoors.. Indoor keeping is ideal because you, not mother nature, controls the temperatures and everything else.
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Ball pythons: 1.4 normals.. 1.0 Spider. 1.0 Graz pastel. 1.0 100% het or. ghost. 0.0.8 hatchlings (Pastel/norm), and 4 eggs still cooking. Also 1.0 BCI boa. 0.2 horses (paint mares) 1.0 black cat, 1.0 fiancee, 2.3 clawed frogs. And a ton of freshwater fish and breeder rats.

Thats true which is why not sure yet . My tokay gecko is outside he seems to love it but unlike BP I think they have larger temp span.
A vision cage 36 inches is not the same as a 5 feet high 3 foot wide wood /screen enclosure so your right have to consider it .

Thanks

I don't know anything about keeping reptiles outside but I would consider the risk of insect infestations.
I do like the idea though, I live in Missouri so I won't have that option.

Good luck and let us know how it works

Brian
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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
1.1 Pastel Ball Python (Jasper and Trudy)
3.4 Breeder Rats
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones)

Good point... South Fla. does have ticks, which could find their way into the enclosure.

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Larry Walker

WebSite

If the concern is about ticks or mites, I think if you treated the enclosure and the imediate area around it with something like provent a mite you shouldn't have a problem. Just my two bits .

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Posted by: ginebig at Wed Oct 10 17:14:31 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

If the concern is about ticks or mites, I think if you treated the enclosure and the imediate area around it with something like provent a mite you shouldn't have a problem. Just my two bits .

Quig
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The patio has fine mesh mosquito type screens . Never had anything make its way into it.
I even took measures just incase red ants attacked as my geckos enclosure is raised on legs with each leg in a jar with oil and boric acid powder but thankfully no fire ants in the yard .

Thanks

Posted by: brianray at Wed Oct 10 11:21:41 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I don't know anything about keeping reptiles outside but I would consider the risk of insect infestations.
I do like the idea though, I live in Missouri so I won't have that option.

Good luck and let us know how it works

Brian
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1.1 Normal Ball Pythons (Snakerton and Mathilda)
1.0 Het Albino Ball Python (Walter)
0.1 Albino Ball Python (Perrie)
1.1 Pastel Ball Python (Jasper and Trudy)
3.4 Breeder Rats
1.0 Red Ear Slider (Rufus)
1.0 English Bulldog[Red Brindle] (Jones

I took insect preventions and screen is mosquito proof . If I lived in Miss I would keep a wolverine in the patio.
Lol kidding they are neat though

Thanks

LOL, a wolverine would make a great guard dog eh

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

well i live in orlando, and i can tell you; my snakes love it outside havnt had a problem yet. you do have to keep watch making sure it doesnt get too hott so they dont cook. but as for rain or anything doesnt seem to affect them, if you live in florida you know that its still warm and humid as you know what. i would say its not a bad or good idea, just depends on what you want. just make sure you have the right kind of cage. but if carried out right you shouldnt have a problem.
the only time i bring them in is when it is cold outside, even then if theyre outside in an area that doesnt get rained on like on the porch, if they have a good hide box i use a heat pad under my tank where the hide box is (but just when its cold out) hope this helps.

I live in Tampa and keep my burms outside most the year, I'v never had any problems. I do keep them in the shade, and bring them in around November, then they go back out around March.

But thats burms.

I havent put any of my balls outside yet, but I'm sure if I had to they would be fine.

What i would do is find the spot you want to but your ball, then over a week or so go out and see what the temp is in that spot at all times of the day/night.

I realy don't think you'd have a problem.
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Please...
Keep an OPEN MIND, You'll be AMAZED...

Posted by: Bighaze at Wed Oct 10 15:11:27 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I live in Tampa and keep my burms outside most the year, I'v never had any problems. I do keep them in the shade, and bring them in around November, then they go back out around March.

But thats burms.

I havent put any of my balls outside yet, but I'm sure if I had to they would be fine.

What i would do is find the spot you want to but your ball, then over a week or so go out and see what the temp is in that spot at all times of the day/night.

I realy don't think you'd have a problem.
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Please...
Keep an OPEN MIND, You'll be AMAZED...

Oh Yes I read few articles on Burms in Florida kept outside . I think they are hardier than BP . Do you find the outside makes them "meaner" my friend had a tame corn tried keeping him in patio with potted trees to climb,etc.
No enclosure it had run of the big enclosed patio and it became "wild" would bite and hyper.
Its back indoors now and calm as always. Lots here made good points as to why not do it but ofcourse considering it as overall in shaded area it is good BP weather but not sure yet.
Might do it in "spurts" just to get an idea see how it goes.

Thanks

Posted by: ratsnakerascal at Wed Oct 10 12:08:43 2007 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

well i live in orlando, and i can tell you; my snakes love it outside havnt had a problem yet. you do have to keep watch making sure it doesnt get too hott so they dont cook. but as for rain or anything doesnt seem to affect them, if you live in florida you know that its still warm and humid as you know what. i would say its not a bad or good idea, just depends on what you want. just make sure you have the right kind of cage. but if carried out right you shouldnt have a problem.
the only time i bring them in is when it is cold outside, even then if theyre outside in an area that doesnt get rained on like on the porch, if they have a good hide box i use a heat pad under my tank where the hide box is (but just when its cold out) hope this helps.

Oh Orlando lol no wonder as its close to impossible to find snake owners in Miami . Not 1 reptile club within hours away.
Do you find your snakes are "meaner" since you keep them outside?
My friend has a snow corn she kept it in her screened patio same set up I plan (not sure yet) and it went from real docile to a biter and hyper in a few days.
Allmost like the air "smell" of wild made it wild again.
I read BP stay calm so thats not a concern temp is only concern.

thanks

well as for "wild" i wouldnt say that but, they did change a little. as you said "the smell of the wild air made em wild again" i feel the same way you do, when animals are kept outside i think the wild feeling to them kicks in their "wild" instinct (which every animal has, even humans). but as for mean, not that ive seen; they just became alot more active.

Thanks yes maybe hyper was what I meant to say . That fresh air seems to put zest in them.
My tokay when kept inside during cooler months in same size enclosure with overhead heat seems to lose some 'zest"

Thanks