Lighting on a hot day and outings

[zendragondrew]

I have two heating lamps, one for daytime and a red one for night. My concern is lately it has been getting pretty hot, like 90 F (32 C), and I'm worried having the light on will make the cage too hot. At the same time I don't want to leave him in the dark all day since the cage isn't near the window.

Also sometimes I take him for walks in Central Park. Do you think this is a bad idea? He seems to enjoy rolling around in the grass for an hour or so a week, but I don't want him to get sick or anything.

[guidofatherof5]

What animal are we talking about? Rolling around in the grass has me questioning this.

[Didymus20X6]

I'd say switch to spiral bulbs for the summer time. They put out a good bit of light, but hardly any heat. I wouldn't heat the cage at night, unless it gets down into the 60s in there.

[zendragondrew]

Thanks, I'll try to find a spiral bulb to put in just for daytime light, might even have one somewhere.

It's an eastern garter snake, I take him to the park and let him slither around a bit, his cage is a bit small so I like for him to get out and explore sometimes. I don't want him to get too bored.

[kueluck]

Aren't you afraid he'll get taken up by a hawk, or go down an existing hole, or attacked by a dog or another human? I think you're taking a BIG chance on doing this. Why not just get a bigger tank? Craigslist has awesome deals!!

[Selkielass]

I don't think supervised enrichment time in a carefully pre-examined play area is likely to cause any harm, especially in a very 'tame' park. Do watch out for idiots w unleashed dogs.

[guidofatherof5]

I think this is one of those "at your own risk" situations.
It only takes a moment of inattention and they can be gone (trust me on this).
I was able to find my snake after hours of searching.
It is a big risk but one you will have to decide on.

[Didymus20X6]

I like to take Little Dude for walkies in the back yard. She likes to poke around in the grass, and - get this - the first thing she likes to do when I do that is poop. You'd think she was a dog or something. But I keep a close eye on her and don't let her near any places like shrubs where she might suddenly disappear.

[kueluck]

If you're gonna take them for a "walk" why not do it around the house. If you want to give them a work out, put some water in the tub and let em' have at it. I still think it's crazy to let them go outside........just crazy.

[chris-uk]

If you're gonna take them for a "walk" why not do it around the house. If you want to give them a work out, put some water in the tub and let em' have at it. I still think it's crazy to let them go outside........just crazy.

I've taken a couple of mine out in the garden over the last few weeks, and as long as you stay focused on the snake it's fine. Zendragondrew lives in NYC, so I guess Central Park is like a wander in the garden. I think most of us take our snakes outside for some sunlight every now and then, to me it makes no difference whether the patch of grass is my back garden or Central Park, if you make a call that it's safe that's the call you make.

[zendragondrew]

Don't worry, I supervise him intently, making sure he doesn't go into any bushy areas where he can get lost and I make sure no other animals, such as dogs, go near him. He will be safe, I just worry about disease and stuff, but I guess that's sort of like the parent that doesn't want their kid to go to the playground because of germs. I think he should be fine, and he's my only snake so I keep an eye on him at all times when I bring him out.

It's a pain to let him roam the apartment because I have a cat and a very old building with lots of places to get lost. Plus my apartment is very small (Manhattan, go figure), that's why his cage is only 10 gallons. I would gladly buy him a larger tank if I had a house, but I don't have anywhere to put it here.

[gregmonsta]

If you're concerned about the heat the simplest option is to control your set-up with a thermostat - something no set-up should be without.

[kueluck]

I take Zena out for fresh air and some sun but I put her in this. These are awesome and take up very little space. Live monarch butterfly you can raise and release Free milkweed seeds (http://www.livemonarch.com/store_enclosures.php) I have a smaller one but getting the jumbo tall for her.

[zendragondrew]

That butterfly enclosure is pretty cool, I might get one for when I clean his cage, looks comfortable.