Soaking

[Smaugsmom]

I have heard different things about soaking. We just got a banana ball that is a little over a year old. He is close to shed and is soaking himself in his water bowl. Is this normal since there is so much negative views on soaking your snake? Plus my husband got concerned because he completely submerged himself for a few seconds. I don't want him to drown, so should I take out the bigger water bowl and replace it with a smaller one that he can't submerge in? I would be devastated if we came home from work and he died from drowning himself on accident. I know they breathe slow and he would probably be fine for a few mins, but I have heard stories about them drowning and seeing this has me a bit paranoid tbh. My snakes are my babies and I would feel like I lost a child if something happened to them. I am probably overreacting, but I would like some reassurance and advice. Please and thank you.

[Godzilla78]

Assuming the temperatures, humidity and other husbandry issues are fine...He will be fine, snakes can soak, and even swim. It might just be a shedding thing. or maybe he is trying to kill mites. check in the water bowl after he has soaked for a long time to see if there are little dead mites that look like poppy seeds.

Could he be overheating? What are the temps? Is it too dry? What is the humidity?

[Smaugsmom]

His temps and humidity are fine. His temps are 79.3 on warm side 72 on cool side with a humidity of 52. It is 10pm so those are good. I was more concerned with him drowning. He doesn't have mites. He is a bit of a goof ball tho lol.

[MissterDog]

His temps and humidity are fine. His temps are 79.3 on warm side 72 on cool side with a humidity of 52. It is 10pm so those are good. I was more concerned with him drowning. He doesn't have mites. He is a bit of a goof ball tho lol.

Your temps are way too cold! They should never be below 75! You "warm" temp should be your cool temp.

[GiddyGoat]

Agreed missterdog!!! Cold side temps can be high 70's to low 80's with you ambient temp being around 80F. Hot side temps should be high 80's to 90-91F!! Boost those temps up ASAP- even if it's night time! What do you use as a heat source and is it regulated by a t-stat?

[Joci]

Definitely boost those temps, and you want it to be almost as warm at night as it is in the daytime. I don't think your snake will drown himself, at least I've never heard of that being a thing. I soak my bp for fifteen minutes in warm shallow water a couple times a week and I have never heard anyone tell me that it was unhealthy. In fact, my (trusted) vet recommended it!

[Sunnieskys]

79 on the warm side is not high enough. 89-90 on the hot side. Ambient all over should be no less than 80. Saying they are fine is not fine. Those temps are too cold.

Did you check for mites? Is your beep going into shed? Just one of many reasons they soak. My boople soaks after she eats. She gets in it like its a hot tub. They are silly ones...

[Craiga 01453]

Like the others have said, your temps are too low.

How are you heating? Are your heat sources regulated?
What is your humidity?
How are you measuring temps and humidity?

The most common reasons for a BP to soak are mites, the animal is too hot or a shed is upcoming.
Since a shed is upcoming that would be my guess. However without more information, that is strictly a guess.

[Smaugsmom]

I was told those temps were good at night. That during the day they needed to be higher. I was also told that if I have a UTH another heat source isn't necessary and they have both.

[omglolchrisss]

I was told those temps were good at night. That during the day they needed to be higher. I was also told that if I have a UTH another heat source isn't necessary and they have both.

Nope their cold blooded which means they get all their warmth from the environment those temps aren't safe for any time of day also uth doesn't really raise ambient temperatures it only provides a hot spot.