Soaking Ball Python ~Maturity thing?

[CustomChevyGuy]

I have always read and heard that ball pythons aren't known soak in their water dish. Yet, I have seen them in stores and shops at various stages of life, and most of them seemed to be loving the water.

For whatever reason, Mr. Stubbs has never been one to sit in his water. I've had him since around 2007 or was it 2008? :think: and he has never shown any signs of wanting to sit in his water dish. Then suddenly last week, it became his new hang out spot. He seems to be spending as much time in his water dish as he does in his 1/2 log hide. Except for watching him drown a mouse the last time he ate, I don't know what else has changed.

Is there anything specific I should be on the look out for with this change in behavior?

I guess maybe he finally got the memo, that he's a ball python?

In the mean time I'm going to read thru the basic care info and a few of the other BP stickies..

[drama x]

I was always told the reason snakes soak is either cause their to hot or they are getting ready to shed. I could be wrong

[RichL]

Could be mites as well.. Double check everything, temps, humidity, look for mites, etc. If everything is good, then most likely he just feels like a bath. Could be doing it before a shed as well.

If everything is good, I wouldn't worry, they do crazy things sometimes =)

[Adam Chandler]

I was always told the reason snakes soak is either cause their to hot or they are getting ready to shed. I could be wrong

Nope, BP's do not soak before their shed. Soaking before shedding is actually detrimental to them. It robs their skin of oils it needs for the shedding process.

BP's tend to consistently lay in their water bowl when they are trying to escape heat or have mites.

[LovelyMomma]

Nope, BP's do not soak before their shed. Soaking before shedding is actually detrimental to them. It robs their skin of oils it needs for the shedding process.

Hmm.. everytime one of mine goes into the blue they hop in their dish for a couple of days. I always assumed it was connected to the shed.

*shrug*