a few weeks ago I was at my local pet store, and I noticed they had a sub adult ball python that was in its water dish. Sometimes I wonder if this could be for the lack of hides and it feels secure in the tight space of the water dish or is it soaking for shed (the ball was in shed and quickly sold after shed).

I have yet to see any of mine soak in there water dish, and the only one I have ever seen touch there water dish was Abbus when she goes for a drink of water.

I hear people say they soak there balls, I used to do this during shed phase but I have found it not being necessary to help with shed. The only time Candy has a had a bad she was before I move her into a sterilite tub and I for got to put the humidity box/hide in her glass cage. Gracin I had soaked for about 15 minutes after I brought him home because he seemed dehydrated. But all my snakes have perfect sheds.

From time to time I will give a bath after I seen that they have pooped and are laying in or looked like they have been running through it and its smeared. I just don't see a need for them to soak.