Can someone answer my question please? - Bathing my snake.

Hi Guys,

I have a 15 month old male ball python who I just gave my first bath to today. The water was warm water but not hot and when I first put him in he wasn't too sure. After he got used to the water he actually started moving quickly under water and kept sticking his tongue out under water as if he was really enjoying himself. He kept bumping into the walls of the container I was bathing him in. After I got him out, he was much more energetic and seemed A LOT happier. However I couldn't tell as I'm new to owning a snake.

In short, does it sound like my ball python enjoyed his bath or was it stressful for him?

Also when he was in the water, his body felt really relaxed and there was pink stuff coming out from his vent? (The pink stuff was just the inside of his vent) I presume that this is just the water being soaked up by what ever is in the vent? (I was told this by a vet I know).

Thanks,

Dan

Bathing or soaking BP's is usually nothing but stress for them.

I would only bathe my snake if it was dehydrated or had mites. As then they actually sit still and soak

I was told by the breeder to bath him and I went to the vet yesterday and was told to bath him as it's really good for them.

When I took him out of the bath he was slithering all over me and generally seemed much happier. But that's just my opinion and what I've been told.

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He has a very small dry patch of scales near the bottom of his tail. That's why I took him to the vet and I was advised to bath him.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

Bathing or soaking BP's is usually nothing but stress for them.

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He was also drinking lots of water when he was in the water as well. Thought I'd mention that. I'm just looking for more opinions to base what I do next on.

Everything seems to be listed as stressful to a ball python. Its an ironic twist that the most highly bred snake with the most hereditary color mutations, and also the most widely sought after snake is also the biggest head case of any herp IMO.

IMO soaking is fine. If hes not thrashing around and calms down after a bit I wouldn't worry. Make sure that he doesn't have to swim the whole time and that the water isn't too deep.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Everything seems to be listed as stressful to a ball python. Its an ironic twist that the most highly bred snake with the most hereditary color mutations, and also the most widely sought after snake is also the biggest head case of any herp IMO.

IMO soaking is fine. If hes not thrashing around and calms down after a bit I wouldn't worry. Make sure that he doesn't have to swim the whole time and that the water isn't too deep.

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Yeah, the water was only 1.5 inches deep and I was holding him the whole time. He just seemed like he was enjoying it. Every time I took him out of the bath and put him down, he used to slither and get back in the bath himself. Without me!

For Ball Pythons, bathing is rarely needed and is not desirable for the most part. There are a few very specific reasons to soak a snake, but usually there is a better option. You might soak for any of the following reasons: mites (PAM correctly applied to the cage is a better option), dehydration (misting, raising humidity in cage and supplying a large water dish is better unless snake is on death's door), suspected constipation and stuck shed (snake in a pillow case with a wet warm towel is a better option.).

Ball pythons do not usually soak even when they have the option, unless something is wrong with them. Some do, but it is rare in my experience.

I would not suggest soaking at this point. As far as your snake being happy goes, ball pythons that are happy generally are not active, especially during the day. I suggest that your snake may have been trying to explore, or escape. Increased activity is usually a sign of stress, not happiness. BP's generally only move at night and when searching for food, or better conditions. There are of course exceptions to this.

Sincerely,

David

Most ball pythons don't enjoy baths, they tolerate them. Also, being super-active is usually a sign that the snake isn't happy - it's trying to run away and hide.

If the vet recommended a bath then your ball python may have had a bit of stuck shed and was dehydrated. Also, if he had a ring of shed completely encircling his tail tip then yes, a quick dip to soften that shed so it doesn't get dried up and eventually cut off the blood flow to the tail isn't a bad idea. Long term though you need to fix your snake's humidity problems so it doesn't happen again.

I do have one snake that does enjoy swimming - she's a retic - getting her into a bath is easy, getting her out means getting soaked because she will fight to stay in.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I do have one snake that does enjoy swimming - she's a retic - getting her into a bath is easy, getting her out means getting soaked because she will fight to stay in.

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And we don't have a short video showing this fun and frolic? :D

Something no one else has mentioned...you said that something "pink" was coming out of the cloaca? That is a sure-fire sign of HIGH stress.

We move when we're happy and excited...we're active creatures. Puppies and dogs wriggle when they are happy. Cats jump and run and play. SNAKES are not people, dogs, cats, or anything else you're likely to relate to. You can't interpret their movements with the same body language you'd apply to yourself or more common, emotional pets.

Some snakes naturally take to water, like bcr229's reticulated python. But ball pythons, as a general rule, are not a species of snake that looks for water to swim or hang out in.

If your husbandry is up to par, there's rarely any reason to need to soak or bathe your snake.

Also, water that is "warm but not hot" to you may seem way too hot to a cold blooded snake. Imagine a bowl of warm water...put your hand in it, and it feels fine. But if you've been playing in the snow and your hands are cold, that same bowl of water at the exact same temperature may feel scalding hot. Same thing can happen to a reptile who's internal temperatures are significantly lower than yours. If you need to put any reptile into a basin of water, that water should be tepid...neither warm nor cold...when you touch it with the inside of your wrist, it shouldn't feel like it has any temperature at all.

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Originally Posted by h20hunter

And we don't have a short video showing this fun and frolic? :D

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I'm thinking that we'll get a cheap kiddie pool this summer, once it gets warmer, for retic swimtime. The bathroom would be a bit cramped for one person dealing with Ms Karma and the other taking video.

I for one think that would be pretty cool to see your retic having a swim. If you get something posted and have a moment please send me a PM so I don't miss it.

They don't enjoy it, they don't need it and it is stressful, usually anyone claiming otherwise either own a limited amount of BP or has for a very brief period or both.

Stress is really something you want to avoid with BP, because it always lead to other issues some more serious than others.

If a breeder says otherwise and a vet says otherwise find a new vet and a new breeder.

If you really want to see whether or not your snake enjoys baths, give him a water dish large enough to soak in. That way there's no stress on the snake. If he doesn't have mites, my bet is that you'll never see him soaking though. BPs generally don't enjoy soaks, and as many people have already said moving around and becoming more active is a sign of stress, not happiness.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Most ball pythons don't enjoy baths, they tolerate them. Also, being super-active is usually a sign that the snake isn't happy - it's trying to run away and hide.

If the vet recommended a bath then your ball python may have had a bit of stuck shed and was dehydrated. Also, if he had a ring of shed completely encircling his tail tip then yes, a quick dip to soften that shed so it doesn't get dried up and eventually cut off the blood flow to the tail isn't a bad idea. Long term though you need to fix your snake's humidity problems so it doesn't happen again.

I do have one snake that does enjoy swimming - she's a retic - getting her into a bath is easy, getting her out means getting soaked because she will fight to stay in.

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Oh wow really?! Haha, I'd like to see that video if there is one.

Every time I took him out of the bath though, he slithered his way and got back inside it.

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Originally Posted by Dano94

Every time I took him out of the bath though, he slithered his way and got back inside it.

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They will try to hide in water if there is nowhere else to hide. It's a sign of insecurity, not enjoyment of water.

BP's go in water for three reasons mostly:

Insecurity - Not enough hides or places to feel secure
Temps - Too hot
Mites - Relief from mites by drowning them

Ball pythons do not need baths. If they need to soak they will go in their water bowl on their own. When it comes to vets you will find the majority don't know much about reptiles.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

They will try to hide in water if there is nowhere else to hide. It's a sign of insecurity, not enjoyment of water.

BP's go in water for three reasons mostly:

Insecurity - Not enough hides or places to feel secure
Temps - Too hot
Mites - Relief from mites by drowning them

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Right, well it looks like I'm only going to give him a bath when it is absolutely necessary from now on.

Thanks everyone for all of your inputs. It's much appreciated.