Bath/Soak

[Corwin]

Hey all,

I have had my Ball for 3 weeks now, adopted from someone who didn't want theirs anymore, she is a 2 year old female, 3-4 feet in length. i got her pretty dehydrated (she had alot of vertical creasing when bending, and she was 'sticky/grippy' to the touch when handled, the local reptile store agreed with my 'diagnostic')

i have been giving her baths several times weekly as i am still having trouble keeping the humidity in the tank up while not overdoing the heat, right now i have 1/8" plexi over 3 quarters of the tank under a screen hood (20L) and no plexi under the heat lamp, i seem to get decent temps this way (88-95 basking, 75-80 cold side on ground surfaces) and i have a DIY humidifier (air gets pushes through water then enters the tank. i use a red heat bulb for heat day and night.

my worry is the bath. she seems to hate them, the second she touches the water she tries to shoot out of it, and once in she is always looking for ways out. i have a critter tote i full 1/4 full of water (3-4") i try and keep in around 83-87 degrees. is it normal for snakes to strongly dislike a soak, or am i doing something wrong and don't know it?

oh she has fed twice now since i have had her, both times on small rats, live (she was feeding live before i got her, the pet store said to get her eating in my house 3-4 times then try switching her over to frozen once she was settled into her new location (not so stressed)

she doesn't seem to 'mind' being handled so far, and she hasn't yet made to bite me, though i am still nervous enough not to let her close to my face ><" she seems to like the smells there.

on a different note, my cats are completely scared of her and wont even enter my room, or sleep with me anymore, they just meow outside the door. is there anything y'all can think of to make the cats OK with her presence? they are 1/2 Siamese, so very smart, demanding and VOCAL cats lol. she on the other hand loves the cats smell and ive seen her try to stalk them when they are near, sometimes even looking like she might just strike. . . my cats are small. . . but not THAT small (8 lbs adults)

anywho, any advice appreciated

edit- oh yeah, before you all bash petstores and their advice, the petstore, Pets Inc in Tempe AZ, is amazing, and they know their stuff, i am astounded at how they take care of their fish (ive been keeping fish for a while, and the store does great) this store focuses on fish and reptiles alone, and they are really into them, its a small locally owned mom-pops business and i lovem. i always check their advise vs the web and forums such as these and have rarely found discrepancies. now if their advice is bad, say so, but dont start bashing the whole bloody store for it . sorry ive had too many experiences where people generalize and bash pet stores they dont know

[giaach]

Well why are you trying to give her a soak. If she needs it for a stuck shed then I understand but other than that there really is no reason to give her a soak. Some snakes like it some don't. It could also be your water temp, too hot or too cold. If she is eating and everything I would just let her be for a month or two. New cage and environment is stressful don't put un necessary stress on her with baths or cats.

[hawaiianice99]

snakes arent dogs, you dont need to give them baths!!

***sorry if that sounded mean, i didnt mean it to, but the stress you are puting on your snake with the baths is worse than the humidity problem.

if you are worried about humidity go to your local pet store and pick up some spagnum moss and spray is down with some water, this will help you with your humidity problem.

[rabernet]

First of all -

Your constant soaking may actually be working counter to what you are hoping. Too much soaking actually leeches out the natural oils in the snake's skin - drying them out even more. Additionally, because she hates them so much, and the frequency that you are doing so - you're causing stress that she shouldn't have to be going through.

We generally don't recommend baths/soaks until after a bad shed - and then only to assist to remove the remaining shed.

I have about 40 ball pythons currently - I can't remember the last time I've soaked any of mine. I just don't find it necessary except when removing stuck shed.

[Corwin]

aye aye aye

ill stop the baths/soaks immediately!

thanks!