Have another!

[pumba]

Well now, it has been at least a few days since I boared yall with a newb question, so I figured I would not disapoint yall any further.

My question is probably simple. I have noticed the last day or two a change in Loki. Nothing major, but last night er rather this morning when I got home at 05:00 (thats 5 am) Loki was soaking in his water dish. He hung out there for about an hour, then off to the warm hide, and then a lap or two around the tank, to wind up chilling on top of the cool hide. The temps were normal, nothing crazy or out of wack and my humidity was sitting on 55%. I wen to bed and this afternoon when I woke up, I found loki making a few more laps around the tank, and after I changed his water, he took another dip for an hour or so. (Not sure exactly, I had to leave to go to Football practice for a few hours) I looked him over good to see if I could see any mites or ticks, but found nothing out of the ordinary. This is just different behavor from what I have seen before from him.

Now keep in mind, I have a decent size water bowl that is half covered by hide made from a ceramic pot. I figured this would make a good humid hide if he needed one for shead when the time comes. but he has never used it before.

so now for the question,,,,, Should I be worried about anything, or is this normal? he seems to be o.k. and is currently appearing to be hunting looking for the feast that Tuesday brings. So what do yall think?

Thanks
Ray

[tigerlily]

It may be you're due for a shed. I would just keep an eye on things for now. Have you taken Loki to the vet yet? I can't remember and I'm too tired to look back. (sorry) A nice clean fecal is always nice to have even if it probably has nothing to do with your concern. Just had the question in my head and my fingers typed it.

[pumba]

No poo for fecal yet, only urates.

[frankykeno]

Hmmm maybe a shed is starting. Not really sure there Ray, being a relative newbie myself. Our 6 month old recently did much the same though, plopping part of her body in her water bowl a time or two. We wondered if it was weather related as our temps and humidity in the house have been nuts with the crazy Michigan summer we are having.

If Tuesday is feeding day then Loki is probably hunting a bit. I know both of ours start lurking (laying with head just peeking out of their hides) and actively looking around their tubs a day or so before Saturday feeding night. We call it the "got mice?" look LOL.


~~Joanna~~

[Adam_Wysocki]

None of my ball pythons soak.

IMO, he's in the water bowl because he wants to be on the cool side to thermoregulate but also wants security .... he feels that being in the water bowl is the only way he'll get both.

Constant soaking can lead to skin problems in ball pythons.

-adam

[Jeanne]

None of my ball pythons soak.

IMO, he's in the water bowl because he wants to be on the cool side to thermoregulate but also wants security .... he feels that being in the water bowl is the only way he'll get both.

Constant soaking can lead to skin problems in ball pythons.

-adam

Adam is right, I recued one from someone not too long ago, that has scale rot from sitting in its bowl all the time to try and get out of the excessive heat in its cage. I was amazed they would get that from sitting in a water bowl so much and not from dirty conditions in its home, cause its home was clean... he just sat in the water all the time to escape the heat.

[frankykeno]

I'm not sure why Baby was doing her thing LOL. She has hides on both sides and both times was out for a drink and then just sort of left her middle bit in the water dish with the rest hanging out. Not curled up soaking or anything. Oh well she's only done it twice and for a short time so I'm sure it was nothing other than Baby being Baby but I will watch in case she does more of it. Thanks for the info Adam and Jeanne.


~~Joanna~~

[pumba]

O.K. I am begining to get worried. By the way, after I posted the no poo message, I went in to checkon Loki, and there sat a big steamy snakeypoo... I took it right down to the vet to have it checked out. No paracites there! that is the good news.

Now, Loki has been soaking in his water hide for about 6 hours now. My warm side temps are at 94 in his warm hide, and the cool side is at 80, and he has a hide at both sides along with his water hide. I am begining to get concerned. He did eat today "Mouse Tuesday" and he hit good and hard and then gulped it right down. By the way, I went on with the adult mouse thing, perfect fit. I used my thumb as a size guage that worked well.

Anyway, back to the water thing,,,HELP!!!!!!! I don't know what to do.

Ray

[tigerlily]

Maybe add a couple of different hides. I had to use a couple different things before I got them to use them. Trying 2 hides on both sides might be worth a shot, and there's always those balls o' newspaper. Good luck and breathe.

[frankykeno]

Have you seen Loki in his hides? Maybe move the water dish somewhere else in his enclosure and put a hide where the dish used to be? Or a bit smaller dish he won't be so comfie to fit in? Are the entrances to his hides big enough for him to get into (we had to make ours bigger twice as piggy Baby quickly outgrew her doorways even tho the hide was correct for her)?

I'm not sure what to think Ray. Hopefully the more experienced people will keep chiming in with ideas but on the upside you got a clean fecal and Loki is eating well so that's good.

If he just ate last night though and his first bigger mouse....I don't know if it's a great idea to fuss with him or his enclosure too much today. Again, being a newbie too I'm not sure how much stress moving stuff around puts them under.


~~Joanna~~