snakes on the trail...

[sofaking]

i was wondering if anybody here has any experience with snakes on the trail, poisonous or non, it doesn't really matter to me. i guess my main question is what months are best for snakes, as far as temperature and weather conditions. i recently leash trained my reticulated python and am thinking about bringing her with me on my next section hike. the only problem that i can forsee is if it's too cold and rainy i'll probably end up just dragging her along because she'll be too lethargic to stay in front of me, and if thats going to the case i might as well just bring a stick to pull behind me, well more like a 4x6...she's just under 9 feet long and weighs in @ 220 lbs, a few pounds more after a puppy or two, which i need to feed her every three weeks. does anybody think i'll need to give her more puppies to compensate for the high mileage i'm expecting from her? i'd like to do at least 15 mpd, like i said, i'll drag her if i have to. are there any s.p.c.a's or humane society shelters along the trail? if there are i can always stop in for a few quick kittens since pups are kinda scarce in those places. has anybody had any problems with a diet change like this? any information will be much appreciated and subject to ridicule, thanks.

[flemdawg1]

Sounds like a plan for MS.

[budforester]

Due to the issues with cold and keeping- up, you really should consider a different breed. I do not have first- hand experience, but one of the monitor lizards might be better suited. The Komodo variety would probably need too much food- packing and resupply, but smaller monitor breeds should fare nicely on shelter mice.

[flemdawg1]

Get a big enough Komodo and ride it.

[sofaking]

i don't think komodos would be appreciated on the trail, i mean they're pretty strong and can be kind of aggressive. first time one tries to run up a person like a tree, well that's going to cause some problems...heck, one missing boy scout or toddler and the lizard is going to be the first suspect.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

May I recommend a 5 to 6 foot Black Racer rather than a python for hiking. The breed has many advantages over a python for hiking:
1. Accustomed to traveling long distances rapidly
2. Accustomed to eating mice which are ample provided you plan to use shelters
3 Weighs far less that 220 lbs if need to carry or drag arises
4. Could share your sleeping bag for warmth and not pose any danger of crushing you or other shelter occupants.

[bigcranky]

May I suggest you wrap your python around your neck and carry it that way. Much easier than dragging.

[sofaking]

May I suggest you wrap your python around your neck and carry it that way. Much easier than dragging.
only if you help. she's a big ol gal...

[4eyedbuzzard]

Some thoughts...

Under the law, do you need a leash for a snake or can you just hold onto the tail?:-?

Get a big enough monitor lizard and I think you could nix the bear canister or bear bag stuff.:rolleyes:

You will not have to carry any of your own food or a tent. You will find lots of abandoned food at every empty shelter you visit around dinner time. Some may even be ready to eat right as you arrive. You'll also be able to start an ebay business selling used abandoned hiking gear. :eek:

[Captain]

soudns like sofaking just trying to drum up trouble

[leeki pole]

Two words...King snake. I've got two in my barn, no mice, no other snakes.

[take-a-knee]

May I suggest you wrap your python around your neck and carry it that way. Much easier than dragging.

I second that advice, and handcuff yourself first.

[The Weasel]

i was wondering if anybody here has any experience with snakes on the trail, poisonous or non, it doesn't really matter to me. i guess my main question is what months are best for snakes, as far as temperature and weather conditions. i recently leash trained my reticulated python and am thinking about bringing her with me on my next section hike. the only problem that i can forsee is if it's too cold and rainy i'll probably end up just dragging her along because she'll be too lethargic to stay in front of me, and if thats going to the case i might as well just bring a stick to pull behind me, well more like a 4x6...she's just under 9 feet long and weighs in @ 220 lbs, a few pounds more after a puppy or two, which i need to feed her every three weeks. does anybody think i'll need to give her more puppies to compensate for the high mileage i'm expecting from her? i'd like to do at least 15 mpd, like i said, i'll drag her if i have to. are there any s.p.c.a's or humane society shelters along the trail? if there are i can always stop in for a few quick kittens since pups are kinda scarce in those places. has anybody had any problems with a diet change like this? any information will be much appreciated and subject to ridicule, thanks.

Well, I don't know if pythons hike, Monte. Erica will have to stay idle and eat a graham while you're in the john, with terry. As for puppies, if you're an ultralighter there are many along the way, and sometimes you can find larger ones tied up to a shelter at night. As long as you don't wake people, no one will really mind if you feed her then.

TW

[taildragger]

I suggest something warm blooded, either figure out a way to hook up a heater blanket to your snake in the cold weather or get a grizzly bear.

A grizzly bear will be used to covering the longer distances, and if trained properly can help you attain fresh fish, deer, and possibly hippie (although grizzlies are documented to rarely share a fresh hippie). Also, if anyone gives you guff on the trail, you can always just have your grizzly sick them. And, if your injured and cannot hike at 15mpd, the grizzly will just drag you to the next food source that its interested in, no loss of mileage!!

[Alligator]

The one-eyed tube snake is a great trail pet and a steady diet of cats is all that it needs. I used to bring mine hiking but now my wife keeps it at home, she's lonely without it. I kind of miss it but at least it is home guarding the house. These types of snakes don't do well in the cold. If you're single, this is an excellent species of snake to keep around.

[Cookerhiker]

Does your python resemble this one (http://www.australiaforum.com/gallery/index.php?n=7) I saw on a trail in Australia?

[Odd Thomas]

Dune Worm.

The Spice Must Flow.

[sofaking]

he who controls the spice, controls the universe!

[mudhead]

Drink your own urine, yourself.

But hey, it's good enough for NASA.

[CBSSTony]

Why stick to just puppies? A few smaller meals should mean less lethargy on the snakes part, when it gets hungry do the old stick and rodent trick, it'll follow along.

[taildragger]

So, when traveling, how do you ship your snakes. On a plane?

[envirodiver]

The one-eyed tube snake is a great trail pet and a steady diet of cats is all that it needs. I used to bring mine hiking but now my wife keeps it at home, she's lonely without it. I kind of miss it but at least it is home guarding the house. These types of snakes don't do well in the cold. If you're single, this is an excellent species of snake to keep around.

Yeah sounds like yours is leash trained. Don't have to feed them much, but when they strat thinking on their own, then they can cause real problems.

[envirodiver]

he who controls the spice, controls the universe!

Yeah but it turns your eyes those funny colors

[Odd Thomas]

Yeah but it turns your eyes those funny colors
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/spicekitty.jpg

[envirodiver]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/spicekitty.jpg
I want one of those body fluid recycling sytems.

[BobTheBuilder]

You have to board it for the section through the Smokies. Also, Baxter.

[Odd Thomas]

I want one of those body fluid recycling sytems.

http://www.arrakis.co.uk/colpage14.html

They just sold one of the original Stillsuits for $6,000.00!