Soaking silly question

So I was giving everyone fresh water today and I opened up the biggest girls tub to find her halfway in her water bowl. I don't have any experience (other than what I've read) of what to expect for a gravid female but I know that she had locked with a male several times last year and I figured if she wants to soak, then I'll wait and do her water dish later when she would hopefully remove herself lol. Tonight I went back to give her clean water and her whole body is inside the bowl and opening the tub made her submerge her head under water. I stood there for a minute not knowing if I should be concerned and then I saw bubbles :O. At that point I pulled her up out of her dish just to make sure she was ok. I have never seen my other girl soak and I know this may sound silly but is it ok for them to submerge their heads like that? I know some snakes can but I guess I expected ball pythons to have to keep their head above water? Please enlighten me :oops:.

Yes, it's normal. When she wants to poke her head up to breathe she will. I have several that will soak themselves pre-shedding so that only their nostrils are sticking out of the water.

If this is done regularly its probably an indication that the tub may be too hot or humidity too low.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luciferskeeper

If this is done regularly its probably an indication that the tub may be too hot or humidity too low.

---

^This... or she is building follicles and trying to cool off to assist in proper follicular development, which is completely normal. Most of my big girls LOVE to soak around this time of year even though their temps are usual breeding temps.

I'd just double check the temps and adjust if necessary. If all is well, let her soak and put a male with her ;)

While the majority of BP rarely soak here are a few reason why they might

Mites
Meal too big
Temp too high
Humidity too low

In young animals
Using the water dish as hide due to insecurity

Females
Pre-Lay shed

Now all you have to do is proceed by elimination. :gj:

Could she be going into shed? I've got a female on breeding loan and her owner swears she soaks when she's in shed. Sure enough, she soaks while in blue xD

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

While the majority of BP rarely soak here are a few reason why they might

Mites
Meal too big
Temp too high
Humidity too low

In young animals
Using the water dish as hide due to insecurity

Females
Pre-Lay shed

Now all you have to do is proceed by elimination. :gj:

---

I'll try and answer all those questions:

I checked her and all the others for mites several times but I never see any
She has been off food since January (at least as far as I know)
They have a warm side/cool side. The warm side is controlled by a VE 200 thermostat with the probe directly on the heat tape (under the tub) and set for 92. The water dish that she is soaking in is on the cool side.
Humidity should be good but I don't have proof since I have yet to buy them all hydrometers.
She's a full grown adult female

She has locked with a male within the last year but I'm not exactly sure how long ago her last lock was or when I should expect her to show signs of possibly being gravid or when it's safe to assume that she's in the clear and she's not going to lay any eggs on me. Her previous keeper wasn't the best at keeping records but I do know that she had one lock in December.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BHReptiles

Could she be going into shed? I've got a female on breeding loan and her owner swears she soaks when she's in shed. Sure enough, she soaks while in blue xD

---

I don't see any pink belly or hazy eyes but I suppose she could be getting ready to.