Swimming?

I dont mean "constipated" what i meant to say is......somtimes ive let Roxy swim around and right after that shell "go"

It helps loosen everything down there obviously.

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Originally Posted by Brandon.O

I dont mean "constipated" what i meant to say is......somtimes ive let Roxy swim around and right after that shell "go"

It helps loosen everything down there obviously.

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Actually, it could also be part of a "flight response". Many animals when under stress will move their bowels. The scientific theory is that it is a way to distract predators that could be tracking them by scent. Deficating creates a new scent that is much stronger than the ball python and distracts the predator so that the ball python can slither away. Given enough stress, a ball python will exhibit a "flight response" as a last ditch effort to relieve the stress (and itself ... LOL).

No doubt that warm water can act like an enema and "loosen things up", but it could just as likely be a side effect of your ball python being stressed from feeling insecure in a large open area where it has no way to hide or defend itself.

-adam

Im not saying they are born in the water im just saying that when i put her in the bath for a little while she does seem to like it. By "like" it i mean she sits on the island that floats that i made for her and she goes for the occionasional swim. And yes i don't mean that my snake doesn't poop unless i put her in the tub for a while, like brandon said she will just "go" not to mention i really dont think 120 minutes of water time out of a whole week will stress her out.

What usually causes snakes to become constipated though, lack of humidity??

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Im not saying they are born in the water im just saying that when i put her in the bath for a little while she does seem to like it. By "like" it i mean she sits on the island that floats that i made for her and she goes for the occionasional swim.

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Or, she sits still on the only secure ground there is because she's afraid of an attack by a predator (natural ball python instinct) and then when she gets real nervous she jumps in the water looking for a secure hide.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

What usually causes snakes to become constipated though, lack of humidity??

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Dehydration and feeding inappropriately sized food items. Also, illness and stress could result in constipation.

Where did you read that ball pythons are "part" water snake?

-adam

Ok, this topic has seemed to generate a good deal of conflicting opinions. :bonk: Is there an "expert" :nerd: out there that can set the record straight on whether or not Ball Pyhtons might enjoy a luke-warm swim?

Why risk it?

risk it?
not sure what you mean. Soaking is not dangerous providing you have the proper water conditions.
stressfull possibly...

Soaking is not required by any means, not a bad idea if you have a bad shed though.
I doubt that they like it, but in saying that, who knows what snakes like. Some seem to tolerate it well, but that doesnt mean they do or do not like it.
Im afraid that even the "experts" wont know. I am sure there are some well educated guesses...

Anyway, I guess Im saying, if you have a good reason for needing to soak your snake, go for it. If you are doing it just for fun, save you snake a little bit of stress.

I agree with what greenman said.

anyways....

My snakes dont seem to show any sighns of stress after they go for swims and so i see no reason to not let them.I havent in awhile becuase the weather has been so cold, i usually let them swim around in a big hard plastic kiddie pool.And like greenman said, who knows what snakes enjoy or "like" some people say snakes "like" being handled and held,most would disagree. What im saying is that she seems to have fun exploring and going in/out/under the water. I think i know my snakes pretty well and when i have them out and i notice they start to get "ansy" ill put them back, same goes for when they are swimming.

"Swimming" and soaking are two different things. Placing a snake in shallow water and allowing it to soak off a stuck shed is one thing (sometimes necessary), but sticking a snake in a large tub of deep water to watch it "swim" is of no benefit to the animal in any way and most likely does more harm than good (due to stress). Anyone working with these animals (ball pythons) for any length of time can tell you that ball pythons prefer to be in a warm small space where they feel secure over a large tub of water. You don't need to be an "expert" to understand that.

-adam

Well as I was talking to my ball pythons the other day, half of them told me they like to swim, the other half of the group said they prefer not too.
There you have it..
I need more coffee...

We don't normally fill the bathtub for the bp's. They have a very large water container in the enclosures with them. That gets changed and discinfected constantly. they are all able to soak or "swim" around if they prefer. I have manually soaked them. Fill sink, put in big rock(For stability), cover with a secure cover, then place towel over to make it dark and secure.
If they are having any major problems in shedding. This normally happens with the newcomers that have come from bad husbandry. Once they are setup here they all seem to have a good routine.
Anyhow
Thanks
Rusty