Soaking in Water Dish?

[Kaorte]

Guys, we see this question over and over again, and the truth is that when a ball python soaks in its water bowl, it's usually not mites or a sign of anything being wrong.

Yes, you should check to make sure, but that shouldn't be the first thing that springs to mind. The snake is probably just going into a shed cycle. Some ball pythons like to soak, some don't. Raise the humidity, it should be at 60% at all times anyhow, and don't worry about it. Make sure not to fill the bowl really full, or he'll make a mess.

I have to disagree. When this question is asked it is generally a case of mites.

I have never heard of/seen a ball python soak before a shed cycle. In fact, soaking before a shed has been proven to actually make the shed go bad.

[Skiploder]

I have to disagree. When this question is asked it is generally a case of mites.

I have never heard of/seen a ball python soak before a shed cycle. In fact, soaking before a shed has been proven to actually make the shed go bad.

Really?

I'm far from an expert on ball pythons - I have only one. But - he regularly soaks and there has never been a mite on him.

In fact, despite having about 60% humidity in his tub, he regularly soaks before a shed and has never had a bad shed.

From reading the forum and others, and comparing notes with other keepers, it appears that this is not unusual.

I've been told woma pythons never soak. 1 out of my 3 does. One of my two Stimsons does. I could go on but the point is that individual snakes have individual preferences. Some will soak. Some won't.

So if the OP can't find mites, the humidity is correct and the temperature gradient is right - he probably has an animal that just enjoys a good soak.

It's not uncommon..........

[Kaorte]

Really?

I'm far from an expert on ball pythons - I have only one. But - he regularly soaks and there has never been a mite on him.

In fact, despite having about 60% humidity in his tub, he regularly soaks before a shed and has never had a bad shed.

From reading the forum and others, and comparing notes with other keepers, it appears that this is not unusual.

I've been told woma pythons never soak. 1 out of my 3 does. One of my two Stimsons does. I could go on but the point is that individual snakes have individual preferences. Some will soak. Some won't.

So if the OP can't find mites, the humidity is correct and the temperature gradient is right - he probably has an animal that just enjoys a good soak.

It's not uncommon..........

Perhaps. But I would say that it is uncommon occurrence for ball pythons.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I would say that out of my collection of 30, about 5 of them regularly soak while opaque (and sometimes when they aren't!), and a few of the others occasionally soak while opaque. I haven't kept that good of track, so beyond that, I can't say if any of them NEVER do. There's a thread up in advanced on how females will soak prior to ovulation, too.

My spider male likes to soak frequently. So does my pastel male.


(One of my normal female breeders, opaque and soaking).

The snakes that soak tend to have perfect sheds, if not intact (the soft skin tends to tear up easily, but it all comes off at once). No skin problems, either. Certainly no mites in my collection!

Some of my hatchlings and yearlings also prefer to soak, while others don't.

Based on observation of my own collection, I do not agree at all that ball pythons soaking is uncommon. It's not MOST common, but it's definitely not uncommon.

[justind]

Some BPs will soak after eating a large meal. Some sit in the water bowl because it feels more secure than the hide provided, even though there is no roof the walls of the bowl are touching the snake on all sides.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Hathor only soaks while opaque, lol. Usually my snakes prefer to sit right on the heat after a large meal...I haven't noticed them soaking afterward, but some might.

[Cloudynight1017]

I have to disagree. When this question is asked it is generally a case of mites.

I have never heard of/seen a ball python soak before a shed cycle. In fact, soaking before a shed has been proven to actually make the shed go bad.

I have to strongly disagree with you. One of my rescue males always has a hard time shedding. This past shed he soaked himself off and on for 3 days only to have a perfect shed

[Craiga 01453]

I have to disagree. When this question is asked it is generally a case of mites.

I have never heard of/seen a ball python soak before a shed cycle. In fact, soaking before a shed has been proven to actually make the shed go bad.

In my experience, my snakes soaking has never been mites and any increased amount of soaking has meant a shed is coming each time. And despite what has been "proven" has been the exact opposite in each case of my snake soaking prior to shedding. My king has done the pre-shed soaking thing twice (not sure why, humidity was right and bumped up once opaque, and both times led to perfect, fully intact one-piece sheds. He has yet to have any shed issues at all with me, but the two times he soaked the sheds were perfect. My BP also did a bit of soaking prior to his most recent shed. Again, humidity was right and I bumped it up a bit once opaque. He didn't soak a lot, but I have yet to see him soak besides this occasion. And again, no shedding issues at all, and a perfect shed.

[Darryl Carson]

Hathor only soaks while opaque, lol. Usually my snakes prefer to sit right on the heat after a large meal...I haven't noticed them soaking afterward, but some might.

I just put a larger dish in there so my snake has been soaking ever since I had him for months he never did this before because the ball wasn’t big enough now that it’s big enough fed him and he’s been laying in the water ever since is this bad he has no mice

[dadofsix]

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who's got a beep who thinks that she's a mermaid. :-)