About 6 weeks ago I bought an adult Tiger Ball from a Reptile Expo. He is 4 and 1/2 years old, 54", and 2150g. I have him in a 36 X 18 X 18 tank. The temps are good, humidity is good, 2 identical snug hides etc... I took him to the vet about 3 days after I got him for a check-up, no problems. I feed him 1 med f/t rat every 2 weeks. He poops and had a 1 piece shed. So far everything sounds normal. Here is the 2 things I find strange and can't figure out. One morning last week I checked on them as usual. This particular one is laying curled up in the middle of the tank upside down. My first thought was that he died. I went and got a plastic bag and when I reached in and grabbed him, apparently he was only sleeping. He freaked out. His head went one way, his tail went the other and I almost crapped my pants. During this commotion I knocked his hide over and saw the shed. I am assuming he was airing out or whatever you call it after a shed. My other BP who is smaller hangs out on his climbing vine after a shed. So that is the first thing. The second thing is I have noticed that after he eats he starts laying in the water bowl. At first I thought he had mites. I have checked and re-checked. and it seems that after a few days he will stop but I am concerned that if he keeps doing it he may get scale rot. The only thing I can think of is to get a really small water bowl. He doesn't really fit in the one he has now but he will get his head and about 6-7 inches in the bowl then just coil up on top of himself. I am at a loss as to why he may do this other than maybe with the full stomach his hides aren't comfortable and that is why he does it and after he digests he goes back to the hides. I would appreciate any suggestions or opinions...


Rob