A snake is still a pet that we love, just like a dog is to a dog parent. But like a dog, Can you take your pet snake out for a walk? Or should we say outside for a slither! Will your snake enjoy the outside? Let’s find out!
It is not safe to take your snake for a walk outside. I do not recommend you do this. Your captive snake has never been outside and has never been exposed to the different elements, which could harm their health. Snakes love their enclosures, and taking them out for long periods will only stress out the snake.
You also need to think about if your snake could escape and harm wildlife if it gets lost. Some people may not be happy to see a snake outside. Another animal, like a dog, could hurt your snake.
Reasons Not To Take A Snake OutSide
Snakes are incredibly fascinating creatures. You may want to show off your pet snake or think your snake could do with a change of scenery or get some fresh air. But as a responsible snake owner, you should refrain from doing so. The below can explain why it’s not a good idea in a little more detail.
Environment
The outside environment is entirely different to your snake’s enclosure. Most places will be too cold for a snake, depending on where you live. Since snakes are cold-blooded reptiles they need heat to survive. Not only that, at the very least, the changes in temp will stress your snake. Quick drops in temperatures for a snake can affect their digestion process and, at the significantly worse, cause death from hypothermia.
Stress
A good thing to consider is that anything outside of a snakes tank can be stressful. For example, if you hold your snake for too long or take it away from its heat lamp. So taking it outside would be worse for the snake because it doesn’t know it at all.
Signs of Stress and Discomfort in a Snake
- Escaping
- Hissing
- Not feeding
- Biting out
- Mock Striking
- Not moving
- Hiding the head
- Playing dead
- Regurgitation
Wildlife
A snake could threaten local wildlife and pose a high risk to the environment. If your snake gets lost, it will need to eat something. So, on the menu will be wildlife that can carry diseases or vice versa.
People
It’s a well-known fact that not everyone loves snakes as we do. Some people are uneducated about them, so they will see all snakes as frightening and intimidating, making life difficult for your pet snake when out in public. The sheer panic, screams or generally delinquent behaviour of people can make your snake stressed.
Other Pet Animals
If you take your snake outside, be aware that other animals could harm it. Dogs and cats are the biggest threats to snakes. They will often react to the snake, which could lead to the death of one or both animals. It’s essential to keep your snake safe at home in its enclosure.
No Benefit
If you need to move your snake to a new place, in a different tank, or to a reptile specialist, it is okay to take it out. But otherwise, your snake prefers staying inside and would rather not be outside. A snake does not need exercise or fresh air. It is okay to keep the snake inside for its whole life. Regardless of which species of snake you have, corn snake, hognose snake or even a ball python, this applies to all snakes.
Can I take my snake out in my back garden?
Yes, you can take your snake out in your back garden as long as you are careful. If your snake escapes, you may lose it forever, and other animals could harm your snake. Also, being exposed to unknown elements can risk your snake’s health. It would be best to hold the snake or keep it in an area where it can’t escape.
Can a venomous pet snake go outside?
Never risk it, do not take a venomous snake outside to roam free. Not only does it pose a risk to other animals and humans, but the outside environment can pose a threat to the snake also.
Can I take a snake shopping?
No, you can’t take a snake shopping. A snake needs to be in its enclosure for safety. Also, other persons and shop workers will likely not be impressed.
Can I bring my pet snake to school?
Only if you have permission from a teacher, otherwise you should not take your snake to school for your snake’s safety. Snakes shouldn’t be out of their enclosures for long periods as they need their basic requirements, such as basking, resting, food and water.
Recommended Read: Why Don’t Snakes Have Legs?
How to Safely Transport a Snake
The below can help you bring a snake home, take a snake to the vets, or move locations with your snake.
Maybe you are moving homes or are going on holiday, and you need to move your snake to another location.
Essential things you need to do and consider.
Short Journeys
If you are transporting your snake for a short journey, such as an hour or less, your main concern will be reducing your snake’s stress as much as possible. You will also need to prepare the final destination so that your snake can be returned to its enclosure as soon as possible.
- Use an animal travel carrier with air holes.
- Make sure your snake can’t get out by placing it inside a pillowcase or cloth and closing it up.
- When you arrive at the destination, try and get the enclosure up and ready asap so you can return your snake to their home straight away.
- While travelling by car, make sure the music is only on low, as loud music will stress your snake out even more.
- While walking, make sure you travel when it’s not too cold out, perhaps waiting till midday or checking the weather before heading off.
- If it’s freezing, you may want to warm up the pillowcase and carrier by placing it by a radiator before putting your snake in it. You can also use a microwavable heat pad or hot water bottle. Never put the heat source in with the snake, as your snake can get burnt.
Long Journeys
Transporting snakes for more extended journeys is more complex than shorter journeys. Your snake is at risk of overheating, hyperthermia, and starvation.
For long journeys of over an hour or so, you will need to match their enclosure environment temperature precisely. However, if you live in a location between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 29 degrees celsius), you should be fine just having your snake in a portable tank, making sure it is enclosed but well-ventilated.
Another area to consider is day and night. If possible, you will also need to keep up with their day/night cycle to avoid added stress.
If you’re travelling more than a few hours, perhaps even days, you will need to provide food for your snake. In this case, you will need to take food along with you.
Having a portal power supply, you can pretty much do all you can to look after your snake as you do at home, like keeping the snake’s food fresh, heat source, night and day cycle.
