All species of snakes have skin that is made from Keratin. All snakes shed and I will go out on a limb here and assume that the same physiological processes occur when any species of snake does shed. While some snakes' ecology has them in water for long periods of time (water snakes, yellow anaconda) or just every so often (copperheads, cottonmouths), so snakes are just fine living in the desert. However, given that all snake skin is made of the same stuff, I do not believe there is a species of snake in the world that would be harmed by a short dip, to include your ball python, whatever the reason for taking a dip would be. They can, however, suffer from being wet for too long, with one of the issues that could arise being scale rot. I don't personally soak my snakes as I don't have a reason to. If I have a snake with stuck shed I will place them in a wet pillowcase for about 15 minutes and then take the shed off by hand; soaking is not necessary here.
If someone truly believes that there can be problems that arise from a simple, short soak, would you mind posting what they are and include some evidence to support your claim? I ask as this would be news to me. Is part of proper husbandry not providing a bowl large enough for them to soak in if they so choose? Thanks.
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