Blood been soaking over 24 hours after feed?

I got my young blood python to take his first f/t mouse yeaterday and ever since he has been soaking in his water bowl over 24 hours consistently not moving an inch. I was just wondering if this is normal behavior? I have his temps between 80-82 with a hotspot of 85 and 60ish% humidity.

I don't keep bloods- & have no experience with them (others who do will likely comment soon), but I'll just offer this thought: both digestion and shedding require extra hydration (water) from a snake's body to accomplish, so it's possible that he's feeling the need to soak because he's maybe going into (or already in) his next shed cycle. Snakes appear to "know" before we can see any evidence of shedding (such as their clouding up), & often refuse food at that time, but if they accept food, what you're seeing might be the result. How long have you had him? When was his last shed? I would trust your blood to know what he's doing & let him keep doing it.

They like to soak. It seems to depend on the individual a little bit, but I wouldn't worry too much. I keep all three common species of shortail/ blood pythons, they all soak from time to time. Sumatran shortails seem to do it the most in my collection.

Thank you for the responses I’ve had him for a Little over a week, not sure of his last shed but he took f/t after being fed live from what I assume is his whole life before I got him so I’m stoked about that. He’s my first python I’ve owned I’m used to colubrids he really does enjoy the soaking it just seemed like a really long time Lol wasn’t sure if that was a common occurrence

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Originally Posted by Shake_down94

Thank you for the responses I’ve had him for a Little over a week, not sure of his last shed but he took f/t after being fed live from what I assume is his whole life before I got him so I’m stoked about that. He’s my first python I’ve owned I’m used to colubrids he really does enjoy the soaking it just seemed like a really long time Lol wasn’t sure if that was a common occurrence

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Cool...I'm mostly a colubrid-keeper these days too- good luck with your first 'blood'. I know it's a concern (potentially mites?) when some snakes soak, but I also know bloods like humidity & all. That's GREAT that he quickly took f/t! :gj: Sounds like you're off to a good start.

Thank you yeah it’s different for sure, I really hope it’s not mites that would be a royal pain I’ve never dealt with them before I really hope not! I haven’t seen any directly I do have my concerns though he came from a breeder but he a was at a local reptile specialty shop with the rest of his clutch mates that is held in pretty high regard locally.

I don’t see any mites in the water bowl either so fingers crossed on that

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Originally Posted by Shake_down94

I don’t see any mites in the water bowl either so fingers crossed on that

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That's good- let's hope it's just that he likes to soak because he's a blood python (but honestly, I'd keep checking anyway for the next month, just in case). When he's not in the water, wipe him gently with a damp white cloth to see if you snag any mites. I've only dealt with mites on 2 snakes, both many years ago. Never hurts to be suspicious though, they spread so easily.

Thank you! I will try that in a day or 2 when he’s had time to simmer on his meal.

Congrats on your first Blood Python, I have 4 years of fun with my Blood Maxwell Smart, he came to me in great shape he was a baby is colors are bright and I fell in [emoji177]. Maxwell loves the water and boy can he make a mess splashing about. He has grown so much this last year I can Barely pick him up by myself he's a big boy and a clown .I believe I posted a picture awhile back if not I will take another picture tomorrow. The answer to your ? They love [emoji97]

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So just as a bump it’s day 3 of him not moving out of his water dish just curious as to when this becomes abnormal behavior? Lol

Double check your temps and check the water for mites. Beyond that, I personally wouldn't be worried. I have no experience with bloods, but my retic soaked very frequently when she was a baby.

Thank you, the ambient stays between 78-82 usually around 81 his water temp is much cooler which is why I was worried especially after he had eaten Sunday his hot spot is 85 I see no signs of mites in the water just double checked I appreciate the advice

Some snakes just seem to do the opposite after eating than what you'd expect. Was this a fairly large meal? I've noticed that sometimes snakes appear to deliberately slow down their digestion by staying on the cool side (for example) after eating a big meal- presumably so the food is digested better & doesn't overwhelm. If this was a larger meal, I'd take the hint & size down a bit. This might be what's going on- digestion also requires good hydration, so for a snake that loves water to begin with, he's just doing what feels right to him. Again, this is my "generic" observation with snakes, not specific to bloods.

That’s very interesting I gave him a small hopper didn’t seem outrageously large. It didn’t really leave a lump in him but he did take a while to figure out how to get it down, I’m sure it probably is normal behavior I’m just trying to make sure everything is in order as he is my first python species I’ve owned he has also pooped since I got him which apparently is very infrequent in bloods so I’m assuming that is also a good thing as far as that goes lol.

Oddly enough for me he avoids his hot spot like the plague I am OCD about checking hot spot temps and it is thermostat controlled I’ve heard that bloods might do that as well

Then don't worry...;) he's just doing his thing. They don't read our "rule books", lol.

They will also use the water as an alternative to a hide box. If they don't have a hide box that they feel comfy in, mine will cram themselves into their water bowls! I have several 2020 hatchlings that are in 11qt rack tubs, and if I don't give them a hide or something to hide under, this is what they do. If you don't have a mite problem, pull him out of his bowl and give him a really tight fitting hide box. He might use that instead. If you don't have mites, I wouldn't worry too much. Pull him out of there and change the water every couple days so he doesn't sit in dirty water.

I know my Blood gets a little restless if the ambient temp is over 79 deg. She is usually content with a temp of 78 or 79. I don't understand why your Blood would want to soak right after eating, unless she is a regular soaker...or maybe going into shed? Does she soak a lot usually? My Blood isn't a soaker, but all snakes are different. Pete's comment about the hide box is good advice.