Soaking Ball Python...

[Jessica Loesch]

I keep all my snakes at 88-89F and 78-80 Cool side. Thoses saying they must be 90-92 is off. IMO ive noticed my snakes will NOT go near a hot side over 90.


Excessive soaking is Mites or something is off in the setup. Need to fix it asap otherwise you can end up with scale rot

Rich, I'm sorry, but everything I have continually read on this forum and elsewhere says 90-92 is perfect. If I am wrong, I'm sorry, but my snakes do just fine *shrug* I'll be the first to admit if I'm wrong.

However I will say the mite suggestion is probably correct.

[RichsBallPythons]

Thats the thing, what you read online on forums you dont take to heart like its a must do or else. You have to take what people to and implement it slowly till you know what your snake likes. I have few females that never go on heat and some that use it few times a week.

Just dont take everything to heart that you read, its all trial and error. Why you wont see me tell someone their temps need to be this and this. I give what works for me and then its up to you to fine tune it.

[Jessica Loesch]

Thats the thing, what you read online on forums you dont take to heart like its a must do or else. You have to take what people to and implement it slowly till you know what your snake likes. I have few females that never go on heat and some that use it few times a week.

Just dont take everything to heart that you read, its all trial and error. Why you wont see me tell someone their temps need to be this and this. I give what works for me and then its up to you to fine tune it.

That is really good advice. I don't take everything to heart .. I just try to listen. So thank you

[KBR97]

I'm adjusting temps to bring the hot side back down to around the 90 mark. Im gonna check again for mites. When I pulled him out of his water the other day I checked the water for dead mites before I dumped it and didn't see any.


His eyes are really blue.

[Jessica Loesch]

Good luck.. I hope you figure things out!!!

[don15681]

you checked for mites, sounds like your snake was being kept too warm. I agree with richsballpythons that many keepers are keeping their snakes too warm from what they read and not paying attention to what their snakes are doing. My hot side is in the mid to upper 80's and that might be too hot. I have notice that when my hot side gets into the low 90's most will head for the cold side of a cb 70 tub. if you do a lot of reading on these forums, you would of read that some of the breeders feel that durning breeding season even with the temp drop most do for breeding. these temps are still too high. some breeders are seeing better results with lower temps. (I'm not talking incubation temps but breeding temps.) if a snake eats, and digest it's food properly at lower temps, why 92 to 94? if your answer is R.I.then you need to not only read more, but pay more attention to how your snake react to what ever you do. what works for one, might not work as well for another. in this hobby reading is important, but there's much more to it than that.

[KBR97]

Here is a pic from just a minute ago.
Also another quick question....evidently he is ready to shed at anytime. Should I bother feeding or just wait till after?

[Jessica Loesch]

Holy moly those are blue eyes.

You can try feeding if you want, but some won't take. Mine do. Lots don't.

He will clear up before he sheds.

[KBR97]

Quick update...He has not come out of his water hide. The other day after I pulled him out and gave fresh water he slithered around for a few then went back in. Today I pulled him out again, I checked him over for mites again..nothing, Checked the dirty water for dead mites..nothing, I broke down the entire tank...nothing. Everything that was in the tank is soaking in bleach/water mix just in case ( couple rocks and a fake plant).
I threw down some newspaper, a tiny box for a hide and the water hide with fresh water. I had to leave for a few hours so I'll see where he is when I get home in an hour or so.


PS ..still has not shed yet, eyes are still very blue, and belly is pink.

[RichsBallPythons]

Whats your humidity. Snakes if are in dry conditions will stay in water till they shed.

be sure its 65%+ while in sheds. Otherwise you get a snake that soaks for 2+weeks till it sheds which can result into problems since ball pythons are not water snakes.