Spends ALL DAY in water bowl

[Razaiel]

Hi All

I wonder if this is normal for them to spend all their time in their water bowl. Our baby is now about 5 months old and has had a shed although there are still some bits that seem glued to her still, which I suppose is why she is bathing a lot, just that all the time seems excessive. She's been doing this now for some four days. I think I should move the water bowl from them hot-middle end of tank to hot end though, as she seems cold when she comes out.

Apart from the (seemingly to me) excessive bathing routine - she's alert, healthy and eating extremely well and loves coming out.

Sue

[Lady Python]

Could be your temps are too hot...or your snake could have mites.

[tigerlily]

Soaking in the water bowl is not a normal bp behaviour. Typically they will use the water bowl as a hide if they do not like their other hides or don't have any available. Mites are another possiblity as Lady Python said. Double check that your temps are 82 cool side and 92 hot side. Measure temps with a digital thermometer. The more accurate the temps the better.

[mr~python]

heres the possibilitys it could be

-she has mites. look for little white specks on her, or for little black thing crawling around(espescially around the eyes
-she doesnt feel secure so shes "hiding" in her bowl. if you dont already have this get 2 secure hides on both sides of the cage.(secure meanin she fits with little or no room to spare)
-its too hot in your cage.make sure your temps are about 80-84 on the cool side and 90-92 on the basking sites

BP's never soak in there water bowls unless somethins not right, usually its one of the three bove. i have actually never seen any of my 2 BP's soak in there water bowls.

[Lady Python]

I saw my rescue BP, Bobby soaking in the water bowl. There are plenty hides in the viv so was immediately suspecting that horrid wee beasties - mites. Sure enough, on close inspection there they were. Got rid of the mites and Bobby hasn't gone near the water bowl since.


Saw the Boas doing the same, and sure enough, mites. They'd obviously spread from Bobby. Got rid of the mites from them too and they've stayed out of the water bowl.

We use Frontline to get rid of mites here as we can't get Provent-a-Mite (I ordered some Provent-a-Mite from America a couple of weeks ago, but so far have not received it - probably stopped at Customs over here - the UK, because we're dictated to by the EU in Brussells doesn't allow the use of certain chemicals anymore which can be used no problem in the USA - the legislation is also driving gardeners mad - products that have been used for years have been taken off the market )

I'd say definitely look for mites. They're so tiny you may have to use a magnifying glass to see them.

[mr~python]

im pretty sure its mites, i reccomend you get a can of provent-a-mite and use as directed

[Adam_Wysocki]

im pretty sure its mites, i reccomend you get a can of provent-a-mite and use as directed

How can you be "pretty sure" without ever seeing the animal? Ball pythons are as likely to soak from temps being to high or lack of adequate security as they are from a mite infestation.

I'm not really a fan of internet diagnosis. Suggestions and advice are great, but to state that you're even close to "sure" is at best a little bit of a stretch and at worst, completely irresponsible.

-adam

[mr~python]

sorry, i dont meen to get anybody mad. sometimes its hard for me to say what i meen when im typing.

[alexrls]

the only time MOnty sat in his bowl (i mean he'll pass thru it some times) is when he had a really REALLY huge meal and *just guessing here* he's like taking pressure off his belly (maybe?)

[Adam_Wysocki]

the only time MOnty sat in his bowl (i mean he'll pass thru it some times) is when he had a really REALLY huge meal and *just guessing here* he's like taking pressure off his belly (maybe?)

Good guess!! ... That has been my observation with very large meals as well. They seem to like floating in water afterwards to be more comfortable.

-adam