Bathing a BP

[ChunkyLoverYYZ]

Hello!
My Lesser seems to be doing great so this is really only a curiosity question.
When I refresh his water, I make it nice and warm... 85F or so. I usually try to place him in the bowl just to see if he'll stay for a while. He always bolts right out, and I've never seen him go in voluntarily. I've tried a little warmer, up to low 90s but I'm not comfy with that temp.
I thought BPs enjoyed a bath and usually needed it, especially close to the shed.
Anyone else have a non-bather?

[The Serpent Merchant]

I really don't recommend bathing BP's, it is completely unnecessary and can stress out your snake.

I also wouldn't give them warm water to drink.

[DellaF]

The only time I bath mine is if they drag themselves through poo. I've had to soak one once because of a bad shed. Mine don't seem to care about water other than to drink. I don't think it's a good idea to soak before a shed. Bumping up the humidity should do the trick.

[Slim]

Your BP is telling you something. Why would you keep putting your snake in a situation that clearly causes him stress?

I've never owned a BP that "liked" to "take a bath". Some will stand for it, some seem to enjoy it, some don't; yours clearly does not.

They do not need a bath when close to shed, in fact, it can do harm, not good. It can leech out the benificial oils the snake produces to help it shed.

[robinbanks]

i really don't see anything wrong with it. they are wild animals, they get rained on, they have to swim through rivers sometimes. just don't exceed the parameters of the snakes requirements for very long.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

BP are already prone to stress and I would not recommend putting one through additional unnecessary stress that may lead to issues down the road.

[ChunkyLoverYYZ]

Ok, all good info. Won't worry about the bathing.

I've only had him for one previous shed, and it didn't go well because of poor humidity. I've addressed that and he should be shedding in the next day or so. Hoping for a perfect one!

Typical Internet... Some sites say bathing is great for them, others say the exact opposite. I'll let him decide if he wants the bath.

As for warm drinking water, it only stays warm for an hour or two then cools to ambient.

[ChunkyLoverYYZ]

Great timing... Watching my guy shed as I type this. Cool to see :-)
I appears as if it's coming off nicely too, although he's in his hide so I'll double check in the morning.

[robinbanks]

BP are already prone to stress and I would not recommend putting one through additional unnecessary stress that may lead to issues down the road.

prone to stress r u out of ur mind... they are snakes. THEY HAVE A PRIME DIRECTIVE.... EAT AND ESCAPE THE ENCLOSERS WE PUT THEM IN...

[AnOceanSpirit]

Mine's not crazy about baths. I've never seen her bathe on her own. I'll soak her when necessary (she likes to curl up with her poo inside her hide, and had a bad shed when I first got her, etc.), but not on a regular basis. Although she has calmed a lot now when she gets her soaks (she seems most comfortable in the sink of all places), they still stress her out. My friend's BP on the other hand seems to adore water and will soak herself several times a week. Just depends on the snake. But I wouldn't worry about forcing a soak unless necessary.