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ball python and odd water behavior

Posted By:

lorerunner

In Relation To:

Boo Boo (Scorch) [103]

Hey guys, new to the site, and new to snake owning, I've had my little ball python for little over 2 monthes now, everything so far is going well. I am fostering his out from a herp society for the moment and he has had a good history. However every so offten later at night when he comes out of his hide he will stick his head in his water bowl, submerging his whole head and then he will let out one fairly strong exhale making a pretty loud noise. I couldnt figure out exactly what he was doing untill tonight when i finally caught him doing it. Im not really sure what he is doing. He has not done it that offten (or at least durring the times when im awake) maybe 5-8 times from when i first got him, he doesnt seem to be in any pain, nor from what i can tell does he seem stressed. I dont think it is an RI, no wheezing, bubbles in the mouth or any of that. Anyone got any ideas as to why he is doing it or if it is even anything to be worried about. I do have a little trouble with humidity it normally sits around 50-55, but thats the only thing i can think may be causing the behavior. Thanks for the help in advance


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health , Respiratory , Mouth
Tags:	Behavior, Python, Regius, Respiratory, Water
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

2/11/2010 10:36:54 AM

thestef

hmm I have no idea, but I can help you with the humidity problem, cut a hole into a gladware container, and fill it with spageum moss, it's ridiculously cheap at home depot, then spray a bunch of water in it. the snakie will hang out in there as he pleases whenever he needs some extra humidity. As for the crazy exhale? perhaps he is a goofball who likes to blow bubbles? Maybe he gets bored? If he isn't showing any signs of health problems I wouldn't worry about it, he's probably just silly.

Member Comment

2/11/2010 11:31:47 AM

iashia

i second the humidity box idea and the silliness idea, lol. i have a baby ball who likes to sit around the rim of her waterbowl and rest her head in it for no reason.

Member Comment

2/11/2010 11:48:02 AM

Aimee

you can also put tinfoil over the screen-top on the cage (tape it down, be careful around the hood-fixture) to keep the humidity up. he might be expelling salt, although I don't think it's typical to see this in the water dish. they don't sweat like we do, so extra salt is expelled by this brisk exhalation, sort of looks like a sneeze. if you see tiny little white specks crusted on the inside of the glass, that's what this is from...

Assisted Answer

2/11/2010 1:18:19 PM

shellboa

This has been discussed before. It is called the "digging for china" syndrome. While this primarily occurs in carpet pythons, other sub-species such as ball pythons are known to occassionally exhibit similar symptoms. There is no cause for concern unless your snake exhibits an unusual amount of wheezing for extended periods after digging. Also watch for long soaking periods that could indicate a parisitic invasion.

Member Comment

2/11/2010 3:05:58 PM

Izzy

Chris, is that a heat cave in his enclosure? It kinda looks like one, but I can't see a cord? the "sighing" whether it's underwater or not, could just be because you've moved him... my Boo "sighed" intermittantly for almost three months after I got her. then she stopped, and hasn't done it since.

Member Comment

2/11/2010 5:28:04 PM

EandJReps

We have 3 adult b-pythons and a year old baby who do the same thing. Our Burmese pythons also expel water after they submerge their heads in the water bowls. I think they just accidentally inhaled water and they blow it out the same way we do. Make sure you have a large enough bowl that he can totally submerge if he needs to. You can also mist the enclosure with a spray bottle. Let your water set out for at least 3 days; longer the better. (misting and drinking water ). You can fill old waterbottles, liter bottles or any container and have plenty you can rotate. Tap water is not good for any reptile or amphibian . Boiled water is best...... cooled down of course! Gooood luck.

Author Comment

2/11/2010 5:47:45 PM

lorerunner

Thanks for all the answers everyone, its a big help. I think i am going to give him a little humidity hang out spot that was suggested by a few people, And also to Izzy yea there is a heat cave i his tank but i removed the cord makign sure there was nothing sharp left on there. Thanks again everyone

Member Comment

2/12/2010 11:29:04 AM

JPG

well they all said what i wanted to..but glad they helped...lol

Member Comment

2/16/2010 4:48:04 PM

steph1060

could be a humidity thing, u could cheak for mites?

Member Comment

3/2/2010 7:14:22 PM

MTDrew

my first thought would also have been mites over humidity, place the snakes neck/lower head between your index finger and thumb flip his head over and look inside the heat pits, and mouth for mites.

i have a great picture of a mite if you arent sure how they look.

Member Comment

1/19/2011 5:17:26 AM

abi21491

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