How long can a bp breathe underwater? +2nd Question

[Albert Clark]

Snakes cannot breathe under water but they can certainly hold their breath under water. Mostly due to a reptilian reflex that closes off the airway initially but can allow for exhalation evidenced by bubbling seen under water sometimes. Especially if the snake is making a kill in the water. They also only have one true functioning lung that is very efficient when the snake is healthy to assist it in remaining under water for extended periods of time. Because of the only one functioning lung the capability of that lung is maximized to compensate for the vestigial lung. On a side note though op should switch to a higher humidity capable substrate to help alleviate future shedding issues. Hope this helped.

[Zincubus]

Snakes cannot breathe under water but they can certainly hold their breath under water. Mostly due to a reptilian reflex that closes off the airway initially but can allow for exhalation evidenced by bubbling seen under water sometimes. Especially if the snake is making a kill in the water. They also only have one true functioning lung that is very efficient when the snake is healthy to assist it in remaining under water for extended periods of time. Because of the only one functioning lung the capability of that lung is maximized to compensate for the vestigial lung. On a side note though op should switch to a higher humidity capable substrate to help alleviate future shedding issues. Hope this helped.

Well as you seem to know your stuff ..... are the people above correct in saying that snakes have their natural oils washed from their skin when they soak ??? Just wondering .... as many snakes chose to soak in viva and in the wild as I understand .

[Zincubus]

I think there's a difference between a snake being goofy and choosing to dunk it's own head (which I have seen other snakes do), and an owner fully submerging their snake .

I like going for a swim or taking a nice warm bath, but I wouldn't like other people throwing me into deep water with no way to escape it until they decided to have mercy/pity on me.

You must have some pretty horrific bath-times when you were a baby

[Albert Clark]

Well as you seem to know your stuff ..... are the people above correct in saying that snakes have their natural oils washed from their skin when they soak ??? Just wondering .... as many snakes chose to soak in viva and in the wild as I understand .

Well thank you but alot of my knowledge came from the mods here and other members who know more than I do. But yes they are correct in saying that. And it's why everyone here wants you to troubleshoot your husbandry as it relates to humidity percentages. That is the real way to avoid shedding issues in your animals. Try purchasing some 100% cypress mulch as your main substrate and you will see this problem go away. You can use the 100% cypress mulch in your reptiles hide to start. Also, ball pythons are mainly terrestrial and don't really remain in water for extended periods. They don't even drink that much water really. They love inhabiting termite mounds in the wild and are really at home on land and in the dark.

[Zincubus]

Well thank you but alot of my knowledge came from the mods here and other members who know more than I do. But yes they are correct in saying that. And it's why everyone here wants you to troubleshoot your husbandry as it relates to humidity percentages. That is the real way to avoid shedding issues in your animals. Try purchasing some 100% cypress mulch as your main substrate and you will see this problem go away. You can use the 100% cypress mulch in your reptiles hide to start. Also, ball pythons are mainly terrestrial and don't really remain in water for extended periods. They don't even drink that much water really. They love inhabiting termite mounds in the wild and are really at home on land and in the dark.

Thankfully it's not anything I have to worry about , I spray randomly and use orchid bark which holds moisture well . Then when their colour goes normal I spray once daily and they shed perfectly each time soon after .

[Lady mkrj58]

All my Problems with Humidity ended when I went from Aspen To Forest Floor and reptile bark chips made all the difference in the world . Im also all for big water dishes for soaking when they choose not me. I Lightly Mist everyone daily.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[Zincubus]

All my Problems with Humidity ended when I went from Aspen To Forest Floor and reptile bark chips made all the difference in the world . Im also all for big water dishes for soaking when they choose not me. I Lightly Mist everyone daily.

Sent from my SGH-T999

Aspen is nasty stuff . It doesn't hold moisture , It also get everywhere as well , the wife used to go bonkers so I changed to beech chippings which look far more natural AND stay in the viv

[KMG]

The real issue with this site is the straight assumptions.

Negative!

The real issue is the lack of details given in the post by the OP(I say OP referring to all of the OPs here). The OP of each thread has a very clear picture in their head when they are asking questions because they can see what they are talking about. The issue is they leave out important facts that would paint a better more complete picture for those trying to help without realizing it.

When the facts are left out it leaves those trying to help filling in the blanks with what they have most commonly seen here. This may or may not be correct but its all they have since the actual facts were left out.

[Lady mkrj58]

To the OP that title freaked me out at first glance I had this horrible Visual, so I read further and I could see we were not dunking the BP under water.. Really everyone just wants to help, I admit you get the facts from Members no sugar coating I say Stay with BP and share your experience we all learn in our own way.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[Lizardlicks]

Aspen is nasty stuff . It doesn't hold moisture , It also get everywhere as well , the wife used to go bonkers so I changed to beech chippings which look far more natural AND stay in the viv

I actually haven't had any problems with humidity in my tubs with aspen. It stays at an even 50% humidity most of the time and I start misting every couple of days when I see one of them going into shed so it gets bumped up to 70%. Everyone has had perfect sheds since day one. Don't know if that will change if/when I upgrade from tubs to AP T8s though.