BP Keeps Soaking in His Water Bowl

Recently I purchased a larger new water bowl for my Ball Python, Flicker, so if he wanted he could soak. For the last couple days he has been consistently coming out of his hide, in the morning, and submerging himself in his water bowl. At first I thought maybe it was mites but he hasn't displayed any other symptoms and I cleaned his cage completely the week before. Has anyone ever had this happen with their bp before? Maybe he enjoys the water, or just wants to pretend to be an anaconda.:confuzd: I wouldn't be to concerned, except for the fact that he is soaking in the morning while it is still cold out. I also just switched him over to Zoo Med Aspen Bedding. Do you guys think that might have something to do with it?

Humidity? Temps?

I am pretty sure his temp is good. Around 90F hot spot and 75-80F cool side. These are the same temps he's been with his entire life and he's never had a problem with them before. I don't have a humidity reader in his cage but I mist it once or twice a day, depending on how hot it is outside, and get perfect sheds almost every time.

Now that I think about it, there have been tree cutters on my street for the past week taking down huge trees that shake the earth. He started soaking right around then. Maybe that has something to do with it?

Kinda sounds like mites to be honest

I’d give it a thorough wipe down with some WHITE paper towel and then check very carefully for those tell-tale black spots / specks.

If you find any crush them on the white paper and look for traces of blood ..


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Aspen bedding is dehydrating for snakes...so it's good for some kinds of snakes, but not preferred by BPs. Or maybe he's just bored & soaking is a new experience? I'd still be checking for mites: how long have you had him? do you have any other snakes? new ones? held snakes in a pet store or at a
friend's house & then held your snake without showering & changing clothes? Mites sometimes hitch a ride on humans, & then proliferate exponentially
on your snake...it only takes one mite to start a colony & kill an unprotected pet, so check thoroughly...up close & personal...they're hard to see.

Temps are fine, and humidity sounds fine since he's had full sheds, (although I'd get a hygrometer ASAP just in case) so i'm sorry to say it's entirely possible he has mites. When was the last time he ate?

Ditto to Boger, aspen doesn't hold humidity well so there's the chance he's dehydrated. Get a hygrometer.

I will continue checking for mites. It might be dehydration. He started soaking right after I started trying the aspen bedding. Should I switch him back to his other bedding or is there other ways to combat this? I'd hate to waste the rest of the bedding but if it will make my snake happier then I am more than willing.

That sounds like the issue. I'd change out the bedding to something that retains humidity better and if the soaking continues, the next possibility is mites.

Is he in blue?

I will definitely get a hydrometer today. He ate last week, several days after he started soaking.

Alright. I asked when he ate last to see if it was safe to handle him. Give him a visual inspection.

Well if it's only the bedding & not mites, he seems to have a "solution" for the aspen- it's possible he finds it's irritating to his skin too? Snakes can probably be allergic to
things, though it's not common (or else goes undiagnosed), so watch for signs of skin irritation (rash?) while you're searching for mites...;) There are also some keepers
that swear their snakes caught mites FROM a bag of aspen (or from other products) brought home from a pet store where snakes were kept that had mites.

No, he's not in blue. In fact he shed like 2 days before I fed him. Now that I think about it that shed wasn't the best. It just kind of exploded off him.

I am thinking that 1) it's dehydration or 2) it's mites. Looks like I am going to have to take a trip to the pet store. I'll get some mite off or something and spray the cage down just in case it is mites.

How are you heating the enclosure?
How are you measuring your temps?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat???

Mites and improper temps are common reasons for BPs to soak.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

No, he's not in blue. In fact he shed like 2 days before I fed him. Now that I think about it that shed wasn't the best. It just kind of exploded off him.

I am thinking that 1) it's dehydration or 2) it's mites. Looks like I am going to have to take a trip to the pet store. I'll get some mite off or something and spray the cage down just in case it is mites.

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Treating for mites is very serious, and if not done correctly can be fatal for the snake. Don't treat for mites unless you know it's mites!!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Well if it's only the bedding & not mites, he seems to have a "solution" for the aspen- it's possible he finds it's irritating to his skin too? Snakes can probably be allergic to
things, though it's not common (or else goes undiagnosed), so watch for signs of skin irritation (rash?) while you're searching for mites...;)

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A BP "that loves to play in water" usually is soaking due to discomfort from mites, dehydration, or something irritating their skin.

I've never heard of aspen irritating a BPs scales?

Also exactly, unless you know its mites don't treat anything!!

I am heating with a heat lamp and heat pad, and I take temps with a temp gun. Temps haven't changed in like 4 years as I have been running the same set up. I don't have it hooked up to a thermostat, but I take the temps several times a week just to make sure they are staying in the correct range.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

No, he's not in blue. In fact he shed like 2 days before I fed him. Now that I think about it that shed wasn't the best. It just kind of exploded off him.

I am thinking that 1) it's dehydration or 2) it's mites. Looks like I am going to have to take a trip to the pet store. I'll get some mite off or something and spray the cage down just in case it is mites.

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Try the wipe down trick before you treat for mites tbh


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Alright. Get a thermostat ASAP!! I cannot stress this enough! Getting a thermostat (even if your temps have been fine for 4 years) will prevent any overheating and burns. It is entirely possible your BP was burned and is soaking out of discomfort.

Alright then I will hold off on the mite treatment. I was just kinda freaking out because I've had a snake that got mites before and he went off food for like 8 months and spraying the bedding and the infected area was what I was told to do. I will definitely switch him over to a different bedding ASAP. Thank you all for the help. I really do appreciate it.

I would NOT treat with anything for mites UNLESS you SEE mites. No matter how safe the chemicals (& the most effective ones can be deadly if mis-used or if a pet is
unusually sensitive to it) all snakes (& other living things) are better off not exposed to things they don't absolutely need. So use a magnifier, check around his eyes, his
chin, his nostrils, his vent for mites. Wipe him with a damp white paper towel & see if any specks (mites), & check IN the water bowl. Mites are tiny but you can see them
if you look closely. They can be black, brown or red. (red-brown is from the blood they've been sucking from your snake)

The one thing you CAN do safely is bathe him in lukewarm water with just a drop or 2 of mild soap (to break the surface tension so that mites drown-without a bit of soap, they can swim & survive.) Such a bath will immediately reduce the # of mites if a snake has them & improve his comfort, but it still may allow one or just a few to survive because they hide on the face & you never submerge the snake's head/face (also don't let him drink water w/ soap either...it causes digestive upset). I hope there are no mites, but if there are, get rid of most first with a bath (least harmful way) & then do what else you need to do.

Do you have any other reptiles? Mites can spread like a wildfire.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

I am heating with a heat lamp and heat pad, and I take temps with a temp gun. Temps haven't changed in like 4 years as I have been running the same set up. I don't have it hooked up to a thermostat, but I take the temps several times a week just to make sure they are staying in the correct range.

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A thermostat is literally the MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment you can have. Not using one you are risking heat spikes that can cause serious burns, neurological issues and even death.

Your temps may be spiking without you even realizing it. A thermostat would eliminate that problem since it not only KEEPS YOUR ANIMAL SAFE, it also regulates temps so they don't fluctuate.

Not having a hygrometer also makes no sense, EVERY care sheet ever has humidity requirements on it. Why? Because humidity is IMPORTANT.

Right now I have some southern alligator lizards and western fence. They seem healthy to me and they live on the opposite side of the house. I was my hands between handling to prevent cross contamination.

Craiga you are totally right. I will purchase everything today. Totally my fault. I will fix this as soon as I can.

Props to you for taking the advice given. :gj:

I think I should note you should get a digital hygrometer, because the stick on analog ones are inaccurate most of the time.

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Originally Posted by vivi

...I've never heard of aspen irritating a BPs scales? ...

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Doesn't mean it doesn't happen...and just when was the last time your snakes TOLD you what they're feeling? ;)

FYI- aspen is fairly soft wood fibers, but it's possible that all brands are not of the same quality, or that they contain contaminants. A similar & KNOWN situation happens with sand...it was found that sand has nearly-microscopic sharp edges that can cut into the snake's skin (between & UNDER their scales) causing infections. While sand is a common component outside, very few snakes evolved to live exclusively ON it, and I'm pretty sure BPs did not evolve living on aspen either. OK?

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Craiga you are totally right. I will purchase everything today. Totally my fault. I will fix this as soon as I can.

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Just looking out for you and your pet. Just because nothing horrible hasn't happened YET, doesn't mean it's not our responsibility to provide the safest environment we can for our pets. We get a choice, they do not.

I'm glad you're so receptive and willing to make the changes. Your snake appreciates it.

You may even notice that with the temps regulated your BP stop soaking. Time will tell. If not, we'll move on to troubleshooting steps 2. :gj:
Keep us updated, we're always happy to help and love hearing good news! :D

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Right now I have some southern alligator lizards and western fence. They seem healthy to me and they live on the opposite side of the house. I was my hands between handling to prevent cross contamination.

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What substrate do you keep them on? Maybe they'd enjoy the aspen?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Doesn't mean it doesn't happen...and just when was the last time your snakes TOLD you what they're feeling? ;)

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Good to know. I was ultimately saying I've never heard of it happening, doesn't mean it's never happened.

What bedding would you suggest boger? I had him on coco fiber before, should I go back to that?

I have my alligator and western fence lizards on sand mixed with leaves, as that is what they lived on him the wild. I might try mixing in the aspen next time it need a change.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

What bedding would you suggest boger? I had him on coco fiber before, should I go back to that?

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That or some variation of that (Reptile Prime or other similar products) is what most BP-keepers seem to be happiest with...stuff that holds some humidity. BPs are a little tricky, they need a bit more humidity but their higher heat requirements really dry out their substrates too. You can also use orchid bark (comes in mini chips or large).

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

I have my alligator and western fence lizards on sand mixed with leaves, as that is what they lived on him the wild. I might try mixing in the aspen next time it need a change.

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I think that's what I'd do with it, mix it in. :gj:

Alright I will switch him back to the coco fiber. Thank you for all the advice everyone, I will keep you guys updated. I am beating myself up about this because I want to work with reptiles professionally, but it would appear that I still have a very, very long ways to go.

Don't beat yourself up. Everyone has room to learn.

That's why a forum like this helps so much...we can quickly share what works better without each of us making the same mistakes on our own. :cool:

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Alright I will switch him back to the coco fiber. Thank you for all the advice everyone, I will keep you guys updated. I am beating myself up about this because I want to work with reptiles professionally, but it would appear that I still have a very, very long ways to go.

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We're happy to help. Don't beat yourself up. We ALL make mistakes, it's how we LEARN from our mistakes that's important.
I'm guessing you have some time on your hands these days since most of us do... Do some reading. The more we know about our pets the better way can care for them. And the more you learn now, the better off you'll be when working towards your career. :gj:

Oh, and P.S. I use a blend of EcoEarth and ReptiBark for my pythons. My only snake on Aspen is my Hognose, cause he likes it drier and likes to burrow. (I hate Aspen, so dry and messy and fake looking, but it's what works best for him so...) The coco coir is far superior for pythons in my experience.

Yeah I have been doing lots of reading, just not on bps. I will definitely read more on my animals care, in the future.

And by the future I mean starting today.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

And by the future I mean starting today.

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There you go!!! No beating yourself up!

Ok I ordered everything you guys suggested, so it should be here in a day or two. Should I move him onto news paper or paper towels for the time being, to help with hydration, and to make and potential mites easier to see?

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

Ok I ordered everything you guys suggested, so it should be here in a day or two. Should I move him onto news paper or paper towels for the time being, to help with hydration, and to make and potential mites easier to see?

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It certainly won't hurt. I'd probably wait until the other stuff arrives though. This way you're only "disrupting" his environment once. But I don't see any harm in switching now if you'd prefer.

Have you given him a visual inspection yet?

You could, but there´s really no reason to move him onto paper towels or newspaper unless there are signs of mites.

I´d also unplug your heating sources to prevent any overheating.

Yes, but I would only use white paper towels...you won't easily see mites on newspaper. Paper won't help hydration- ordinarily I'd suggest adding a humid hide, but that's
where the mites may hide also, so best not to use one while mites are suspected.

I gave him a visual inspection and I didn't see any signs of mites, although I am not ruling in out completely. Other than the abnormal behavior he seems perfectly healthy.

Any chance you could give us some pictures??

I would love to, but I am new to this and have no idea how. Any chance someone could give me some instructions. I am not the most techy person.

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

I would love to, but I am new to this and have no idea how. Any chance someone could give me some instructions. I am not the most techy person.

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I use the free app Tapatalk. It's super easy. I'm not tech savvy either

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Originally Posted by Reptile$ 4 Life

I gave him a visual inspection and I didn't see any signs of mites, although I am not ruling in out completely. Other than the abnormal behavior he seems perfectly healthy.

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You rarely see them on the snake !!

Have you tried wiping it thoroughly with some slightly dampened WHITE paper towel if the snake is dry then look very carefully for the small black specks and crush any found with a teaspoon.. looking for traces of blood ..??


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I did the paper towel test and did not see any black spots. Just a few pieces of aspen.