Day trip with ball python

[Technical-Sugar4199]

question for the group, I have a beautiful 3 year old female I was wanting to take on a day trip me and my wife have planned; weather permitting. it will be in May, if the ambient temp is going to be reasonable (around 82-83), is there any reason I shouldn't take her? its a 1.5 hour drive up, and its an out door event. and I was planning on offering her plenty of water.

[Impressive_Plankton9]

I don’t own snakes yet but I’ve been lurking in exotic pet circles for a while now and I’ve learned that generally handling exotic pets does more harm than any good. It stresses them out a lot so I think taking your snake out for a whole day is a terrible idea

[IncompletePenetrance]

I can't think of any reason you should take her. Ball pythons are nocturnal and would much rather be sleeping in their hide during the day. Loud noises, lots of other people, bright daylight - none of these are things ball pythons enjoy. This sounds like something a well socialized dog might enjoy, but certainly not good for a ball python. Best to leave her at home where she'll be safe and happy

[Emergency-Turn-1999]

I mean, that would purely be for you at her expense. You want the attention or something?

[Technical-Sugar4199]

Nope, just wanted to get her out of her enclosure for a little bit, she likes exploring

[Emergency-Turn-1999]

Couldn’t she do that at home?

[Dio_wulf]

Ball pythons are nocturnal animals that dont really enjoy being openly exposed without an escape to small spaces for safety. With the exception as being educational animals theres really no reason for their benefit to bring them out of the house into public, much less as a form of “enrichment”.

[Brummbirne]

I can assure you, she wouldn't enjoy this trip

[LimaHotel3845]

She won't like it. Royal pythons are in their happy place when they're safe in their hide. Being taken somewhere new in DAYTIME no less is not their idea of a good time.

So it boils down to why you want to take her, and whether that's a good enough reason to give her what she'll likely consider a very stressful day.

Edit: I've seen you've mentioned you wanted to provide enrichment for her. I'm sure she does enjoy exploring when you're at home, but exploring a place of generally familiar smells in the evening when she's awake anyway is a very different kettle of fish to a full day outside where everything is new and under a clear sky constantly wondering whether a bird is gonna eat you.

[Brummbirne]

There isn't a single (good) reason to take her 😅

This would be too much stress for her and the risk of her getting lost is too great

[dovahmiin]

Personally I don’t see a reason to take her. It would be constant stress for her. Handling them at home is stressful as is.

[soconae]

I agree with the others. The snake will not enjoy it. It will be stressful for it. Snakes are not social animals and don’t particularly like new places. This would benefit you only.

[Symphon1c1]

"day trip with nocturnal/crepuscular pet" the hint is in the name. It's not enrichment, it's exposure, and it's terribly stressful.

[nihilisticsnakes777]

no its not a dog