Ball pythons blowing bubbles underwater

[Luvyna]

Has anyone else seen their snakes do this? I could swear that they are doing it for fun

https://www.facebook.com/10002649889...6250191066454/

[KMG]

I have seen many of my snakes blow bubbles while swimming. The craziest thing I ever saw one of mine do was my BRB eat a rat under water.

[Luvyna]

I have seen many of my snakes blow bubbles while swimming. The craziest thing I ever saw one of mine do was my BRB eat a rat under water.

Wow it's insane that your BRB ate under water How did the snake breathe while doing that?

Also very cool that you've seen your snakes blowing bubbles and that you provide them with opportunities to swim! Do you take them out for swimming or do they have access to water for swimming in their enclosures?

[Bogertophis]

Wow it's insane that your BRB ate under water How did the snake breathe while doing that? ...

I would assume he didn't breathe, as snakes can hold their breath for quite a long time, as when swimming underwater, & their trachea closes off when they're swallowing prey anyway. But snakes lose the scent of their prey underwater, & mine mostly lose their prey once they drop it in their water bowls.

Snakes just have some seriously-cool skills overall though.

[Trinityblood]

My BP constantly touches the water in his bowl with his tongue while exploring and jerks back like that bowl hasn't been there for over a year. He should learn how to do this instead.

[KMG]

Wow it's insane that your BRB ate under water How did the snake breathe while doing that?

Also very cool that you've seen your snakes blowing bubbles and that you provide them with opportunities to swim! Do you take them out for swimming or do they have access to water for swimming in their enclosures?

Most the bowls aren't exactly big enough for real swimming but they can usually swim through it at least a little. Most the smaller bodied ones like my GTP, ETB, and BRB have a pretty easy time swimming in circles and getting fully submerged but the big ones like the Dum and Bloods...... Not so much.

[Luvyna]

I would assume he didn't breathe, as snakes can hold their breath for quite a long time, as when swimming underwater, & their trachea closes off when they're swallowing prey anyway. But snakes lose the scent of their prey underwater, & I've seen most of them lose their prey once they drop it in their water bowls.

Snakes just have some seriously-cool skills overall though.

That's wild! My BP takes 10 minutes to eat sometimes, I can't imagine him holding his breath that long. I thought that when they ate they could still breathe through their glottis like a snorkel? I've also seen snakes flicking their tongues underwater so I wonder if they can actually smell anything or if it's just instinctive haha.

My BP constantly touches the water in his bowl with his tongue while exploring and jerks back like that bowl hasn't been there for over a year. He should learn how to do this instead.

Lol, he's rediscovering water every time he sees it!

Most the bowls aren't exactly big enough for real swimming but they can usually swim through it at least a little. Most the smaller bodied ones like my GTP, ETB, and BRB have a pretty easy time swimming in circles and getting fully submerged but the big ones like the Dum and Bloods...... Not so much.

Very cool, those must be giant water bowls! Makes me curious of what my BP would do if he had enough water to swim in. He has a bowl big enough to soak but not swim in and he seems to like to climb in and out of it at night because I find his bedding in it every day!

[Bogertophis]

That's wild! My BP takes 10 minutes to eat sometimes, I can't imagine him holding his breath that long. I thought that when they ate they could still breathe through their glottis like a snorkel? I've also seen snakes flicking their tongues underwater so I wonder if they can actually smell anything or if it's just instinctive haha...

My bad, you're right about them breathing while eating- it's just that their food doesn't get inhaled.
As far as flicking their tongue underwater, sometimes seems like it's a habit, but then again, maybe they can also taste the water? They need to develop speech and explain all this to us, lol. BTW, sources vary about how long snakes can hold their breath, & it's not the same for all species, but the range I've seen goes from several minutes to 20 minutes or even an hour. I'd imagine sea snakes are some of the best at holding their breath, but also the giant constrictors like anacondas that easily hunt in rivers.

[Auntie_Moe]

I have one that blows bubbles in her water bowl.. Totally dunks her head and blows bubbles.. It never gets old..

[Bogertophis]

I have one that blows bubbles in her water bowl.. Totally dunks her head and blows bubbles.. It never gets old..

I think it's really cute when I've watched my snakes hatching out & they don't know when to breathe yet, so they end up blowing bubbles in their egg-slime. They'll be peeking out, & duck back into their eggs for safety when I walk by- I never knew how scary I am! Oops, sorry. LOL