Hey all! Thank you again for your help with my feeding issues.

Ok-(my dad who really isnt a herp person) said that he heard that if you put a snake on the carpet the fibers will get stuck in their scales and make them very sick or possibly die. Is this true or a myth?

I let my red tail crawl around the living room to let him stretch and to get some much needed excercise, but is it potencially dangerous? Let me know what you all think!!

That's a good question, but I don't have the answer. We too have put our snakes on the carpet and soo far they have lived.

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Colleen

I can't say for sure if that's true or not. I've never heard of it... I suppose if the carpet were recently cleaned with heavy chemicals or "flea bombed" it could be dangerous. But unless there is something seriously wrong with the snake's scales, they should not get hooked on carpet fibers. If you run your fingers through the carpet, does a lot of fuzz come off?
Even if some did get stuck between some of the scales, I doubt it would do much harm and would likely come out with the next shed at the latest.
It sounds like your dad might be trying to tell you that he'd prefer you gave your snake exercise somewhere else!
I let my BP roam our Persian rug and have never had any problems so far. I worry more about people who let their snakes roam around on grass outside: I worry about fertilizers and pesticides!!

A lot of fuzz never comes off. I have a really thin hard carpet. My snake is really good about staying away from things that he does not like. Once, I was stupid enough to put sand in his terranium-I was just learning how to take care of him, I know- any way, he wouldnt go on it. He stayed on the top of his little house all day and night, and finally when I realized that he was a tropical snake and not a desert snake, I changed the sand for aspen wood shavings, and all day he soaked in his water bowl. So he is pretty smart and he loves crawling around the house. I just wanted to double check-because you never know. Its websites like this that saved my boa from the sand!!!

Sounds pretty fishy to me! I think that Andrea may be correct in her assumption that the non snake person would just as soon not have your snake crawling around loose on the floor!
I have never heard anything like that! I have always allowed my snakes to crawl around on the floor.
Now certain types of carpet are hazardous for lizards due to the danger of their gettinng toes or claws stuck in it.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks guys, as always you are a big help. I wish I knew more about this kind of thing so that I could give some advice for a change. Maybe one day....

Talk to you soon

I have heard people make the argument that allowing lizards to crawl on the carpet can be hazardous. The theory is that the lizards tongue-flick and can pick up bacteria in the carpet and get an infection. Sounds far fectched to me, but some people aregue vehemently about it.

For the record. My lizards crawl on the carpet all the time.

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Regards,
Dominick
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"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann

I think without supervision any place can be dangerous. We do not put any of our animals on the floor due to the fact people wear their shoes in the house and bring in all kinds of junk. If we let our animals on the floor we put down a special sheet for protection.

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i've always let my snakes roam on my floor and have never had any problems from it. they enjoy it lol. i just have to make sure they don't go anywhere their not supposed to. of course all they places they can't go are they places they go for first!

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yes i am a she ^_^

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