Excessive Soaking???

[ARamos8]

Now I've had plenty of sheds in my time with these guys, but I have this one male (11 mos. old) who refuses getting out of his water bowl. He is obviously in shed and I don't have mites at all. His temps are dead on and the humidity has been bumped to 65% to 70% over the past few days. When I woke up to have a quick look at the gang like I always do I found him in the same position, in the water for the 3rd day in a row. Is this a bit odd or is he part conda??? LOL Thanks.

[frankykeno]

Maybe change out his water bowl to something less comfy for him Tony and see if he'll give it up as a poor idea. Could the bowl be more comfy than the hides he has as far as size or something? If he's okay as far as mites and hydration and his temps/humidity are all bang on I haven't a clue why he would soak so much. Maybe some BP's do though I've seen lots of posts that say a healthy BP in the proper environment should not be soaking. Would a fecal be in order to make sure something isn't up here? Experienced folks please chime in here.

[iceman25]

If everything is spot on, including health, then I guess he just likes soaking during his sheds . How is his behavior during other times? Does he use the water bowl or does he use his hides? How big are the hides compared to the snake? Hopefully a more experienced breeder will chime in!

[ARamos8]

The hides are good size for him. Outside of shedding he likes to spend his time under the substrate (indented kraft paper) as well as in the hides themselves. He fits just fine, not too big, not too small. As far as a BM might be concerned, he gave up eating about 3 weeks ago, pre-empt to strike, an impending shed on its way. He has a clean bill of health (vet check up).

The bowl sits 50/50 over the heating source so the water temps (I suspect) are comfy for him. I touched the water to make sure it wasn't cold. I'll have a good look at him again when I get home, I just hate handling during this period (testy boogers). I'll call my wife and have her keep an eye out throughout the day. Thanks for the great ideas, I hope a few more chime in. THANKS.

[tigerlily]

Maybe just try a different kind of hide? How very strange.

[ARamos8]

I was thinking the same about the hides Christie. I'll give that a try. I just got a text and my wife says he is still in the water. Looking like he has no desire to get out anytime soon. I really hope he is ok. I don't ever recall having any of my balls soaking for such an extended period of time. That didn't sound right....???LMAO

[rabernet]

Question - and not meant to alarm - I really don't know - but would excessive soaking like this run the risk of developing scale rot or blisters?

[mxrider42]

I have the same problem with my balls. I have a male and female and have never seen either one soaking in the water bowl. Then about 2 days ago mine start soaking. They go in and out, but spend most of there time in the water. They are in there at the same time. Mine go through cycles where they like to sit under the substrate for a few weeks then they like to sit in the hides. Now they are sitting in the water bowl.

[ARamos8]

Scale rot of blisters???!!! AHHHHHHHH.

I looked him over pretty good and at the moment the old skin looks like a glove. As if the old skin is acting as a barrier. So I hope (logically) because of this no water is getting under the scales at present time. I hope.

What I did yesterday was take him out of the bowl and held him for a sec just to relocate him in the tub. He went for his hide and stayed there plenty of hours during the evening. When I got up this AM, sure enough he was back in the bowl (as expected).

[frankykeno]

Well since their scales don't serve as a barrier Tony I think that the old skin isn't going to protect your snake all that much. I may be wrong here but similar to when we are in a tub too long and our fingers shrivel up, I think snakes who soak so much will end up dehyrdating themselves through the natural process of osmosis.