New Soaking Behaviour

[Myrmida]

I have a sweet 5-year-old female ball python. We’ve had her for about two years. Today, I noticed that everything in her hide was soaked. Usually that means she released some water (often along with pooping). I discovered her soaking in her water dish, which I’ve never observed before. I cleaned up her wet enclosure. Just now, a few hours later, same thing. It’s been hot here, but I have air conditioning, so the difference in her hide temperature is not much. She molted less than a month ago, so it’s not that (probably).

is there any reason a ball python would suddenly take to soaking?

Thanks.

[Bogertophis]

The only thing I can think of is she wants more humidity. When we run A/C (or for that matter, heat) in our homes, it removes much of the humidity in the air, & the same goes for the heat provided in our snakes enclosures. BPs generally prefer about 55-60% humidity- so what's the humidity reading in her enclosure? And what are you using for a substrate? You might consider offering her a humid hide- that would be better than cleaning up a spilled water bowl.

[Myrmida]

Thanks. It could be due to the AC. We rarely use it in our climate. My humidity reader conked out recently and I need to change the battery. I just use paper towel as substrate. I’ll mist her hide a bit and see if that helps. I have a couple extra bowls, so I could put in a moist hide - I’ve just never seen her soak before. It does create a mess, though!

[Bogertophis]

Yeah, soggy paper towels...your snake is probably thinking "I just got it the way I want it- go away!" LOL

[nikkubus]

I'd double check your temps and humidity but otherwise wouldn't worry too much about it unless it's something she is doing a lot of.

[Zincubus]

Mmmmmm ... A Royal /Ball python soaking can also mean it has MITES !!

I’d wipe if down thoroughly with some white paper kitchen roll then check carefully for tiny black specs .

If you find one or more just squash it with the back of a teaspoon... if there’s red blood it’s a snake mite ..


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[Bogertophis]

Mmmmmm ... A Royal /Ball python soaking can also mean it has MITES !!

I’d wipe if down thoroughly with some white paper kitchen roll then check carefully for tiny black specs .

If you find one or more just squash it with the back of a teaspoon... if there’s red blood it’s a snake mite ..


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Agree, though mites are unlikely with a snake they've had for 2 years, unless they've somehow managed some exposure via new acquisitions, pet stores/reptile expos, or the pets of friends, etc.

[Zincubus]

Agree, though mites are unlikely with a snake they've had for 2 years, unless they've somehow managed some exposure via new acquisitions, pet stores/reptile expos, or the pets of friends, etc.

It’s easily done ... I’ve heard of mites being introduced ON bags of substrate from a pet store ..


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[Bogertophis]

It’s easily done ... I’ve heard of mites being introduced ON bags of substrate from a pet store ..

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So have I, but then again, some of these turned out to be wood mites, not snake mites- & people just panicked because they didn't know the difference. I'm skeptical for most such claims- I think it's a rare occasion. But you're right, it never hurts to look for snake mites.

[Zincubus]

So have I, but then again, some of these turned out to be wood mites, not snake mites- & people just panicked because they didn't know the difference. I'm skeptical for most such claims- I think it's a rare occasion. But you're right, it never hurts to look for snake mites.

There are quite a few documented cases of mites being introduced on clothing after simply visiting a snake store /show and even visitors to your house bringing them in on their clothes .
There was some talk of them coming in bags of orchid bark but I’m not convinced


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