Soaking a lot???? Should I be concerned?

[Mochelem]

Sounds to me like you have a snake that likes water... I have an adult that will sit in her water dish for days. Ive had no ill effects from this...

After the snake gets up to weight it may spend less time in the water... Feed the snake every 5 days to get it back to a healthy weight again...

[STORMS]

Sounds to me like you have a snake that likes water... I have an adult that will sit in her water dish for days. Ive had no ill effects from this...

After the snake gets up to weight it may spend less time in the water... Feed the snake every 5 days to get it back to a healthy weight again...

haha...so basically I worried for...ummm...pretty much nothing? LMAO!

I honestly did not think BP's were the "soaking" types - other that for a shed or mites blah, blah, blah.

So if I understood correctly - as long as the substrate remains dry, even with the constant soaking I shouldn't have to be concerned about scale rot?

I did attempt to feed it Tuesday of this week and it refused. Tried again on Wednesday and it took a small mouse like a champ So I did the happy dance - other half thinks Im a nut
I plan on feeding every 5 days - would it be wrong to feed my other 2 bp's on that same schedule (until the tiny thing puts some weight on)? They eat every 7 days. The male is about a year old and usually eats 2 large mice each feeding and the female is about 6 months old and just switched from 2-3 small mice to 1 large each feeding.

Any input would be appreciated

[Mochelem]

Ball pythons that are of a helthy weight I like to only feed every 7 day, however there are some breeders out there who feed thier snakes twice a week to get thier weight up fast.

If you want to feed all of them every 5 days for a couple of months then I dont see a problem..

[STORMS]

Just thought I'd post an update... Only because this new BP is spending a LOT of time in the water bowl.

Last night was feeding night...once again ate like a champ so no worries there.

Temps are spot on...so no worries there.

But seriously this snake is in the water bowl every day for hours at a time. Every morning when I leave its in the bowl. Every afternoon when I come home its in the bowl.

Tank is cluttered with plants so I'm confident the little thing feels safe. Other than feeding & cleaning the water bowl I've been leaving it alone.

I know ya'll said not to worry...but this just seems so odd.

[missi182]

Just thought I'd post an update... Only because this new BP is spending a LOT of time in the water bowl.

Last night was feeding night...once again ate like a champ so no worries there.

Temps are spot on...so no worries there.

But seriously this snake is in the water bowl every day for hours at a time. Every morning when I leave its in the bowl. Every afternoon when I come home its in the bowl.

Tank is cluttered with plants so I'm confident the little thing feels safe. Other than feeding & cleaning the water bowl I've been leaving it alone.

I know ya'll said not to worry...but this just seems so odd.

If you are very concerned, it never hurts to pop into a vet and have a check-up and a fecal sample tested since this is a new snake to you. You can put in a smaller water bowl, not big enough to soak in, that way you can see if it is the water he is after or the comfort. If he tries to get himself in a smaller bowl then there may be an underlying reason he wants/needs to soak. I honestly think it is a security issue, he is comfortable in there. My bp will NOT use him warm hide if is over 90, so it stays 88-90, and my cool hide is about 80.

Don't worry too much!

[frankykeno]

There's a super simple way to fix this - change the bowl. Get a small, easy to clean, non-tippable bowl (something like a small ceramic ramekin or the like). If the snake can't fit in, it'll get the point and start using it's hides more appropriately.

[Jenn]

I wouldn't worry too much. But, I would probably bump up the humidity a little for this snake.

[STORMS]

You can put in a smaller water bowl, not big enough to soak in, that way you can see if it is the water he is after or the comfort. If he tries to get himself in a smaller bowl then there may be an underlying reason he wants/needs to soak.

There's a super simple way to fix this - change the bowl. Get a small, easy to clean, non-tippable bowl (something like a small ceramic ramekin or the like). If the snake can't fit in, it'll get the point and start using it's hides more appropriately.

Okey dokey....Smaller bowl it is.

I will change it tonight and see how it goes from there

Thanks a bunch guys!!!

[Muze]

You should check for mites. It does not mean it's that, but there is a chance. You might see them floating around in the water bowl.

[snakecharmer3638]

Have you named Him/Her? yet? If not, might I suggest (Phelps).