What happens if a BP tries to breathe underwater?

I was soaking Athena in the bath tub in shallow water. Everything was going fine until she went into the slightly deeper end (about 1' - 1 1/2' inches deep) and put her head underwater and then bubbles appeared at her nose. She then seemed uncomfortable and I quickly got her out of the water and put her back in her cage. It's like the second time I've soaked her thoughout the time I've had her.

Do you think she tried to breathe underwater because she didn't know? If not and she was just expelling air, then tell me anyways what could happen if they inhale water. Could it result in an RI or lung damage that I should be aware of.

what happens when you try breathing under water? ;)

why are you soaking your beep anyway?

It depends.... some drown.... others grow gills and carry on..... depends on the morph though.... spiders and super cinnys are more susceptible to growing gills......

This is why you never leave a snake unattended in a soaking tub

Was checking for mites. She doesnt have any but i like to check every so often.

So is she going to be fine if she did inhale some water?

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Originally Posted by Hector108

Was checking for mites. She doesnt have any but i like to check every so often.

So is she going to be fine if she did inhale some water?

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I'd assume just like any other organism, taking in water is never good but the chances of it killing you are highly unlikely, especially if you're saying she immediately got out. If she was under for a while, that's a different story.

I'd just monitor her and see if she goes back to normal after 24 hours.

Best of luck.

She is acting totally normal, I'm the one that is in panic. LOL. She was under for a split second. When i saw that happen i took her out as fast as I could. It could be me the one that is overreacting and she was just letting out air (afterall she went below water level by choice).

there are better ways to check your snake for mites. like use a damp white paper towel and run it along your snake's body and skin. if u see any dark lil bugs, u got mites.

the best way to prevent mites tho is proper quarantine for any new reptiles and procedures when u interact w/ other herps and stuff within the hobby.

:gj:

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Originally Posted by Hector108

Was checking for mites. She doesnt have any but i like to check every so often.

So is she going to be fine if she did inhale some water?

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You won't get mites if you didn't bring home a new reptile or go to a reptile expo.
They're not native to the US and are only here being passed around the captive reptile community after some imports brought them over a long time ago.

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Originally Posted by Hector108

I was soaking Athena in the bath tub in shallow water. Everything was going fine until she went into the slightly deeper end (about 1' - 1 1/2' inches deep) and put her head underwater and then bubbles appeared at her nose. She then seemed uncomfortable and I quickly got her out of the water and put her back in her cage. It's like the second time I've soaked her thoughout the time I've had her.

Do you think she tried to breathe underwater because she didn't know? If not and she was just expelling air, then tell me anyways what could happen if they inhale water. Could it result in an RI or lung damage that I should be aware of.

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It is your choice to soak your snake. Mine have taken baths for years. Not often but yes I do. In the summer when I have them outside in the privacy of my back yard they will climb into their wading pool sometimes for a swim all themselves. They like it even though they are in the shade. Blowing bubbles? Don't sweat it. I've seen snake bubbles a lot during my snakes swimming adventures. BP's aren't China Dolls even though the internet would like to claim otherwise. Doubt if your snake sucked any water in. If it did, which I highly doubt it, it will be fine. Have my snakes ever encountered an RI? No they haven't. Scale rot? No scale rot either. Relax and enjoy your pet. Take care.

Thanks for all the help and info. I'll do the damp papper towel next time. I check because i have a tortoise outside and i was afraid that if the tortoise had mites then maybe my ball would too. None of them have it though. I also do wash my hands before and after handling each pet reptile.

I wouldn't worry unduly - if there were bubbles they were breathing out not in and I doubt ball pythons are dumb enough to drown themselves when raising their heads would bring them back into air.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hector108

I was soaking Athena in the bath tub in shallow water. Everything was going fine until she went into the slightly deeper end (about 1' - 1 1/2' inches deep) and put her head underwater and then bubbles appeared at her nose. She then seemed uncomfortable and I quickly got her out of the water and put her back in her cage. It's like the second time I've soaked her thoughout the time I've had her.

Do you think she tried to breathe underwater because she didn't know? If not and she was just expelling air, then tell me anyways what could happen if they inhale water. Could it result in an RI or lung damage that I should be aware of.

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I've soaked snakes occasionally over the years and I noticed that especially Royals were very comfortable UNDER water - after an initial minute or so trying to find a way out of the tub .

I'm sure I read that they can hold their breath for about 30 minutes ... but cant confirm that's correct..


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Im sure he/she is fine. I sit there with mine and once they are done they crawl up my arm to my shoulder to come out. I give my Balls (hahaha) a swim every 2 weeks. I started them when they were young and only put water at the deepest end so they didn't have to be in it if they didn't want to. I now keep it so the shallowest part is only about a half an inch deep they usually swim and poke around for 10 minutes. Then they know to crawl right up the side onto my arm and over my shoulder when they're done. Pay attention to their behavior because I know a lot of people say that their ball don't like water at all and feel insecure.
I originally tried this for only a few min at a time and they got use to it and now will drink and relieve themselves before wanting to come out. I've had burms all my life who will spend hours in my tub and love the water.


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When I'm cleaning enclosure some of my BPs will hide underwater-I just move the entire water bowl with the snake in it.

For snakes that like to flood their cages: I will fill the water bowl with the snake in it and will just fill it up until the snake is completely submerged (so I know they are less likely to overflow it later).

I’ve always had bowls big enough for them to soak in, and some will and some won’t. I doubt very highly they would drown, unless they were intentionally put at disadvantage (like couldn’t get out of whatever their in). And they do soak, but very rarely. Maybe once, twice a year. But not all do, just some from my personal experience.

Very relieving to know. I assumed all of what you guys said, but wanted to be sure. Thanks to everone for the help.

I would think that the bubbles simply mean she's exhaling air, it doesn't necessarily mean she's inhaling water.
Lots of ball pythons will soak if they have the opportunity to. As long as they aren't forced to hold their head above the water for extended periods of time, or are unable to get out of the water, they'll be fine, especially if it was the snakes' choice to enter the water in the first place.