Does Soaking always = mites?

[kc261]

Some will soak themselves when they are ready to shed, or just in general if their humidity is too low. Sometimes, if a snake doesn't have an adequate hide, they'll try to use to water bowl as a hide. Soaking can also be useful if they are a little constipated, but I'm not sure I've ever heard of a snake seeking out the water for that reason, or if it is just a trick that keepers use.

[don15681]

some ball pythons will soak from time to time. But they also soak some times if something isn't right. when this happens don't panic, but you need to look her over for mites. also check her humidity, If everything is OK, then don't worry. Mine will soak from time to time for no reason I could find and they are just fine.

[BPelizabeth]

Like everyone else stated it could be mites, check the heat pits and around the eyes. It could be preshed soak. Or it could be he just likes it. I have one that after you handle her she has to "wash off" everytime.

[Vypyrz]

If you have recently changed anything about his hides he may suddenly not feel secure enough in them an will resort to the water bowl...

[cheezeit32]

Honestly, when my Monty got mites, he was in the water all the time. It got to the point where i was worried he would get scale rot he was in the water all the time. I used PAM once and hes good now. But, since you're using PAM i wouldn't worry about mites. It's probably just the humidity is low, or, ure ball is enjoying a little bathing time. Some just like the water.

[L.West]

Just an update on this issue - she only was found in the water that one time and hasn't done it again since - must have been a fluke. She is still not eating but everything else seems fine with her.

These snakes sure can cause one to worry about them - LOL

[Kaorte]

Just an update on this issue - she only was found in the water that one time and hasn't done it again since - must have been a fluke. She is still not eating but everything else seems fine with her.

These snakes sure can cause one to worry about them - LOL

In all honesty you probably just caught her moving about the enclosure and once you saw her just just stopped where she was. I often find my snakes half draped in the water bowls just because they were moving around. Part of the body hanging in the water bowl does not equal soaking. Soaking is when the snake purposefully crams itself into the water bowl in order to feel safer or drown mites. I personally don't believe that this species will soak themselves prior to shed but that is just my opinion

[snakesRkewl]

I personally don't believe that this species will soak themselves prior to shed but that is just my opinion

I have several that ALWAYS soak before shed.
My spider just shed, he sat in his water for 3 days before shedding last night.
My yellow belly also always soaks before shed, even if his humidity is fine in his tub.
I have no mites, just some snakes will soak and some won't.
Saying this species won't soak is wrong IMO

[Kaorte]

I have several that ALWAYS soak before shed.
My spider just shed, he sat in his water for 3 days before shedding last night.
My yellow belly also always soaks before shed, even if his humidity is fine in his tub.
I have no mites, just some snakes will soak and some won't.
Saying this species won't soak is wrong IMO

To each their own I have 5 snakes and have never seen any of them soak prior to shedding, or soaking at all. Perhaps I have just not had a snake that likes to soak. But in my experience alone, I have never witnessed this species soak.

[snakesRkewl]

To each their own I have 5 snakes and have never seen any of them soak prior to shedding, or soaking at all. Perhaps I have just not had a snake that likes to soak. But in my experience alone, I have never witnessed this species soak.

That's more of a response that makes sense.
Making blanket statements about a ball pythons activities only defeats your purpose of teaching others.
I have kept over 70 snakes and seen numerous soakers, and they soak every shed period.
I currently have 21 in house and 3 like to soak, every time they shed.
Not trying to be a kill joy, I just don't think you can make a statement that they won't soak or don't soak during shed periods.
Humidity is the key, if they have good humidity then they most likely won't soak.
But keep them in lower humidity and give them a bowl large enough to soak in and many will.