Grass Snakes And Guinea Pigs

[Carrotyd]

Harry and Lloyd are indoor piggies, but we've been trying to source them a nice and secure run so they could spend some of their floor time each day outside.

The problem is our garden is really long and narrow, and none of our neighbours have proper fences up because they all feel that putting up six foot panels would make their gardens look too hemmed in.

That's fair enough, but my worry is if Harry and Lloyd got out the run that would be it. It would be really hard to get them back... particularly as our garden backs on to woods.

Anyhoo... today we had a huge grass snake make its way into our kitchen (!) and it freaked me out. Harry and Lloyd live upstairs, so there was no risk to them, but if something like THAT got into an outside run, what would happen?

As it stands, the hunt for an outside run is off until I get some proper advice about this, as our neighbours (we've not lived here that long) reckon they're everywhere.

Here's the snake.

 

[Malice]

I had piggies escape a run once, and we only had 'proper' fences on one side of our garden. Fortunately I realised they'd escaped what can only have been minutes after they did it (everyone had gone inside to use the bathroom, answer a call, etc., just 'one minute' tasks), so we, fortunately, managed to get them back (although it was terrifying).

The only advice I can really give is to just be outside with them when they're using the run. It's the best way to guarantee that nothing has got in and they haven't got out.

 

[zombieprincess]

I personally wouldn't be too worried about grass snakes (and sorry to break it to you, that is not huge for a grass snake, if that if your thumb for reference) They are almost specialist amphibian eaters, their heads are too small for anything as big as a piggy, and they do not have jaws that dislocate the disproportionate size as they are grab and run hunters, so they need to swallow their prey straight away. I get them where I live occasionally and they almost always just mind their own buisness and make a quick exit if something bigger or non foody is trampling around them. Even when cornered and scared grass snakes rarely even open their mouths, they tend to drop to the floor and pretend to be dead.
Personally i wold be more concerned about how easily a loose dog, children, large cats, (birds of prey, although traditionally carrion feeders kites and buzzards are becoming more proactive hunters) or foxes could get into your garden. Make sure runs are wooden framed, have a wooden framed lid (those mesh lids with hexagonal runs are useless) and small mesh that you can just get the tip of your finger through and nothing more. Double mesh your run when you get it but attaching another layer, and potentially board up one end and a little of the sides to make one end more of a box. If the ground is uneven, edge the outside of the run with bricks. And only put them out when you are at home so you can check on them periodically.

 

[Wigwig]

One of my most badass moments ever; a few years ago I caught a grass snake as big as my arm, it was in attack pose like a cobra but I grabbed him by the neck before he could bite me. He tried to squeeze my arm to death but it didn't work obviously I really like snakes.

I agree with everyone, the best thing is to be outside with the guinea pigs.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

One of my most badass moments ever; a few years ago I caught a grass snake as big as my arm, it was in attack pose like a cobra but I grabbed him by the neck before he could bite me. He tried to squeeze my arm to death but it didn't work obviously I really like snakes.

I agree with everyone, the best thing is to be outside with the guinea pigs.

 

[Lilly]

I never leave the piggies outside by themselves anymore. Even though their run is all one piece with a wire roof. I live near a creek that is a wildlife corridor so we get pythons, venomous snakes, goannas, etc. But one time I went in to answer the home phone. It is a cordless one so brought it straight outside only to discover a mum magpie & her baby trying to get in through the bars! Fortunately piggies stayed well away from the edges but they were frightened. I've heard of crows doing it to piggies in the USA.

 

[Carrotyd]

Thanks for the advice guys. All good common piggy sense, but a useful reminder nonetheless .