Ball Python always soaking.

[WayneMDJ]

Hi, just sort of curious about different reasons why she might soak all the time? I've checked her multiple times for mites, including her water and tub. Even did the Provent - A - Mite treatment just incase I was missing something, but nothing. So I'm ruling that out... Her temps are good. Hot spot is 90-93 degrees... Ambient temp is 76-80 degrees... She has a hide on each end of her tub... Humidity is at 50%... But even when I had her in a regular tank before, she soaked a great amount. So am I just dealing with a snake that enjoys soaking or should I try something else? Lol. My other snake with the exact same setup never soaks unless in shed.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Here are some of the reasons why BP soak

Mites

Lack of security (hides too big and they use their water dish as hide)

Too large of a meal

Temps too hot

Shed

If your BP keeps soaking provide a smaller water dish.

[Albert Clark]

That's a beautiful normal bp btw. Great patterning and bright coloration.

[WayneMDJ]

Here are some of the reasons why BP soak

Mites

Lack of security (hides too big and they use their water dish as hide)

Too large of a meal

Temps too hot

Shed

If your BP keeps soaking provide a smaller water dish.

Thank you. The only thing out of that I could maybe guess is the hides being a little too big and not very secure feeling to her. I'll downsize them a bit and see if that helps.

[WayneMDJ]

That's a beautiful normal bp btw. Great patterning and bright coloration.

Thank you! She's beautiful but very moody. Lol. Sometimes she'll be nice and other times, she'll get to the point where she won't want me to hold her. Typical woman is what I always said. Haha.

[Hypancistrus]

Definitely check for mites, though. Only time my guys have done that was with mites. Good luck, and I agree-- lovely color! I adore normals.

[Albert Clark]

Thank you. The only thing out of that I could maybe guess is the hides being a little too big and not very secure feeling to her. I'll downsize them a bit and see if that helps.

I bet that is what it is. I had some hatchlings who recently refused to take meals until I cluttered the tubs more and gave them tighter hides. They are now back on schedule. Tight hides and security lacking is probably tops on the list why a hatchling or young snake (ball python) won't feed or will stop feeding when they were already feeding.

[Albert Clark]

Thank you! She's beautiful but very moody. Lol. Sometimes she'll be nice and other times, she'll get to the point where she won't want me to hold her. Typical woman is what I always said. Haha.

That's funny! I say typical hatchling behavior. She probably is a bit stressed due to lack of adequate security. Security in the form of adequate hiding spaces. Try to really stop handling her at all for awhile. Especially until she has had time to explore the new tighter hides and taken a couple more meals.

[WayneMDJ]

That's funny! I say typical hatchling behavior. She probably is a bit stressed due to lack of adequate security. Security in the form of adequate hiding spaces. Try to really stop handling her at all for awhile. Especially until she has had time to explore the new tighter hides and taken a couple more meals.

Definitely. I know mites are out of the question. Never seen one and also treated just in case and still never seen any... So I'll just clutter the tub with some tighter and smaller hides, possibly some foliage and see how that goes...

[pbyeerts]

BPs always keep us guessing, don't they?