Soaking concern

[alilshadee]

I went to the reptile expo in Manassas, Va last week and got a really good deal on two het. butterscotch ghosts. One male one female. Both about 6 months old. The male seems to be spending a lot of time soaking in his water bowl. I looked at his tummy, but haven't seen any redness or infection. Also no sign of mites and he doesn't look like he's about to shed. Any advice for me please??

[JLC]

Keep an eye out for mites. It's super-easy to pick them up at reptile shows. In the meantime...try switching the substrate to white paper towels (or unprinted newspaper if you have any) and you'll be able to find mites much more easily.


Also check the temps in your cage and make sure the snake is not trying to escape temps that are too warm. AND check the nature of your hides. Sometimes the water bowl may feel more secure and snuggly than hides that are too big or exposed.

Lastly...did he just eat? Sometimes if they eat a big meal, they will rest in the water to help relieve the pressure of a big lump in their belly.

[alilshadee]

No he hasn't eaten yet. I got them on Saturday so I've been trying to leave them alone, but he was soaking for a long time so I went in and removed the water, but replaced it a few hours later. About feeding...the breeder feed them live, but my other BP eats thawed/frozen..will I be able to train my two new ones to eat T/F??

[JLC]

About feeding...the breeder feed them live, but my other BP eats thawed/frozen..will I be able to train my two new ones to eat T/F??

Never hurts to try. Some BP's aren't picky at all. And most can be switched over with time and patience. A few will never make the switch. You'll just have to try and see what happens.

[juddb]

I would probably check him again for mites, sometimes you wont see them at first glance. If thats not it maybe he just wanted to soak...

[elevatethis]

Are you keeping these two in the same cage by any chance?

[alilshadee]

no they aren't in the same cage..all my BP are seperate..today i will change the substrate to paper towels just in case he does have mites.

[rabernet]

When you take him out of the water, do you see anything in the water that looks like poppy seeds or flecks of pepper?