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  1. #1
    Registered User Python64's Avatar
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    Ball python excessive soaking..help!

    My spider ball has been soaking almost daily for about 2 months! I know this is not normal. I thought she was gravid months ago, many lock ups with a proven male breeder, she has no interest in male now, no interest in food, has not eaten since December. The temperature in cage ranges from 75-85, it was 75- 90 for awhile but I lowered temp thinking maybe she was too hot. The humidity is about 60. She has a hidebox she rarely uses anymore,have cypress mulch substrate in cage.I am concerned about her health. She is a fine looking spider, weighs about 1420 grams, 3 and a half yrs old. Any ideas what is wrong with her?
    Should I reduce water in bowl to a level that she can't submerge herself? Just leave enough to drink? I have 6 other balls in same environment (separate cages of course) all of them are healthy, good eaters and don't have a bizarre fascination with extreme bathing!
    I checked for mites many times, have not seen any.
    Last edited by Python64; 03-29-2012 at 12:36 AM.

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran The Serpent Merchant's Avatar
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    Have you checked for mites?

    Your temperatures are too low. the cool side needs to be between 78-82 degrees and the hot side needs to be between 88-92 degrees. no part of the cage should ever go below 75 or above 95. What are you using to heat your cage? and what are you using to measure temperatures?

    *EDIT*

    Have you checked for mites under a good light?
    Last edited by The Serpent Merchant; 03-29-2012 at 12:46 AM.
    ~Aaron

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    0.1 Dumeril's Boa (Nergal)

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  3. #3
    Registered User Python64's Avatar
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    Re: Ball python excessive soaking..help!

    Quote Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
    Have you checked for mites?

    Your temperatures are too low. the cool side needs to be between 78-82 degrees and the hot side needs to be between 88-92 degrees. no part of the cage should ever go below 75 or above 95. What are you using to heat your cage? and what are you using to measure temperatures?

    *EDIT*

    Have you checked for mites under a good light?
    For a long time I had temperature between 80- 95, but I was told that was probably too hot and that was why she was soaking in tub so I lowered temp. I have flex watt heat tape controled with Vivarium electronics 100 thermostat, I use a digital thermometer.
    I will check for mites under a brighter light.

    Thanks

  4. #4
    BPnet Veteran The Serpent Merchant's Avatar
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    95 is too hot but 80 on the cool side is perfect. I shoot for 80 on the cool side and 90 on the hot side.
    ~Aaron

    0.1 Pastel 100% Het Clown Ball Python (Hestia)
    1.0 Coastal/Jungle Carpet Python (Shagrath)
    0.1 Dumeril's Boa (Nergal)

    0.1 Bearded Dragon (Gaius)

    1.0 Siberian Husky (Picard)
    0.1 German Shepherd/Lab Mix (Jadzia)

  5. #5
    Registered User Python64's Avatar
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    Re: Ball python excessive soaking..help!

    Quote Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
    95 is too hot but 80 on the cool side is perfect. I shoot for 80 on the cool side and 90 on the hot side.
    I checked for mites under bright light ,there are none, never seen any in water dish either. I will adjust temps..thank you.

  6. #6
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    Re: Ball python excessive soaking..help!

    If the husbandry is right, she doesnt have mites, and you have been breeding her, she is probably just cool seeking and working towards ovulation.

  7. #7
    BPnet Veteran AK907's Avatar
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    The Serpent Merchant nailed it.

    Also, its common for females to soak during certain stages of pregnancy. Our females often like soaking when they are getting close to laying.

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