Ball Python Soaking?

[mischiefneko]

Loki is my three year old male Pastel Super Stripe. I've had him for a month and 18 days.
I went out of town for ten days. Not a huge deal, fed him before a left and fed him when I got back.
That was the 7th when I came home. A few days ago, so about four or five days after, he started soaking. Daily.
I've checked his temperatures and humidity, everything is good. Checked for mites both on him and if there was anything moving in the water, nothing. And he doesn't seem stressed and is still eating. (I've checked my other reptiles and no signs of mites either) His eyes aren't cloudy like he's about to shed either.
So why is he soaking? He'll explore all night, slithering around his house, acting fine. But when I wake up in the afternoon (night shift worker) he's in his bowl. As I type this, his whole body is submerged except his head.
Does he just like water? Is that just something he just wanted to start doing? That seems to be a strange thing to just start happening.

[Sonny1318]

I’ve had similar situations with a couple of my males, so have some other members on here. As long as your husbandry is on point, it seems to be something some do on occasion. As long as he has sufficient hides and no know problems, my pied male about two months ago pulled a similar stunt. Hope this helps.

[Zincubus]

I know you said you'd check the water for mites but it may be worth , when he's damp or wet - giving him a good wipe over with some pure white kitchen roll/ paper as any mites will show up easily .


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[Craiga 01453]

I know you said temps are good, but please clarify so we can better help you.

What are your temps? Hot spot? Cool side? Ambient?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat??

[tttaylorrr]

could there be an upcoming shed? my girl Coffee Bean is my only beep that ive ever caught soaking, and it's typically before a shed just before she starts getting a pink belly and faded coloring. she's done it since a hatchling.

ive had my panic attacks, quadruple-checked her and her husbandry, and my conclusion is it's just what she does. lol.

[Bogertophis]

All 3 posts above covered my suggestions- recheck for mites, temps in cage? (too hot?) and oncoming shed?

[Zincubus]

I know you said temps are good, but please clarify so we can better help you.

What are your temps? Hot spot? Cool side? Ambient?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat??

Good points !

Also that thermometer ( on the right? ) looks to have a wired probe .... is that on the floor of the Viv / tank ?
How is the probe secured ?

Is it on over the warmest place of the floor ?



If you haven't got one already , treat yourself to a digital temp gun for checking all the surface temps in a second ..

They're only 10 dollars off eBay ..



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[mischiefneko]

I know you said temps are good, but please clarify so we can better help you.

What are your temps? Hot spot? Cool side? Ambient?
Are your heat sources regulated by a thermostat??

Cool side typically will range from 76-82. Depending on my house temp is at. Hot spot is 90-92 with heat mat and thermostat. Ambient is usually right at 80. Humidity is usually 55.

[mischiefneko]

could there be an upcoming shed? my girl Coffee Bean is my only beep that ive ever caught soaking, and it's typically before a shed just before she starts getting a pink belly and faded coloring. she's done it since a hatchling.

ive had my panic attacks, quadruple-checked her and her husbandry, and my conclusion is it's just what she does. lol.

I kind of thought it would be shed. But his eyes aren't cloudy yet, so it must be very early. And that last picture is exactly what he's doing. But as this is my first ball python, I figured it better to ask if this is normal than not and it be too late.

[mischiefneko]

I know you said you'd check the water for mites but it may be worth , when he's damp or wet - giving him a good wipe over with some pure white kitchen roll/ paper as any mites will show up easily .


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Will do when I get home. If for nothing but peace of mind.
I immediately thought mites, looked up how to check and the signs. He matches none of the symptoms or signs. And found no trace of them.