When you snake is about to shed, do you give it a good soak?

[stkkts]

Maybe this is stupid, but when my snake is within a few days of shedding, I put him in his waterbowl. It has been my understanding that it helps comfort him, and help the shedding process go more smoothly. So far he has always had a complete shed. Is this not necesarry? Or perhaps stupid for some reason I'm not aware of?

P.S. He usually doesn't seem to mind. He will hang out for a while, run his whole body through the water, take a sip, than go back into his hide.

[Pia]

I would wait to see if he sheds comletely on his own. If the humidity is high enough it should be OK. If there is a problem, you may wish to soak him or put in a moisture hide to help.

[HetForHuman]

well it is ok, but i usually just try to mist mine once a day and it usually works out really good.

or you can just make him a humid hide for when he is shedding.

[Jeff_Favelle]

when my snake is within a few days of shedding, I put him in his waterbowl. It has been my understanding that it helps comfort him,

.....Ummm.....how exactly did you come to "understand" this???

[MontyPython]

Ball pythons aren't water snakes, so they don't seem to enjoy water too much, maybe to drink but that's it. They come from Africa, which is a pretty dry continent, that's prolly why the don't like water. I just keep the humidity levels up when he's goin into shed and it comes out in one piece.

[RepTylE]

I thought that a snake would soak if they wanted to and that was the purpose of the large water dish. I would soak if it appeared to be neccessary but I know that I'd hate it if some huge person picked me up and plunked me in water. I always check to see that the shed is going/ went well. Maintaining a recommended humidity level saves me having to stress the bugger by putting him in water.

[snakehunter]

i give mine a humid hide, and soak every day from the time i notice to the time ishe sheds, for a humid hide i put the hide bow on a damp towel, my snake hates the sphagnum stuff!.
-jacob

[BurmBaroness]

I have never had a BP that liked the water. I just keep humidity at the right levels and they shed fine.

[mango]

another good way of keeping humidity up is, if you have a screen top, put a wet towel on top of it. Works great for me.

[Beardonicus]

Once my snakes go into shed, I soak them for about 20 minutes in lukewarm water. I've never had a shedding problem.

[Linds]

Like MontyPython said, balls don't come from an area in the world where they would be sitting in water. Baths are more likely to stress your snake than anything. If your conditions are correct then your snake will have no problems shedding without a soak. I've never soaked any of my balls, or provided them with humid hides, and they have always had perfect sheds.

[Beardonicus]

Balls come from areas in Africa that range from dense humid forests to arid savannahs.........I don't think soaking them will stress them out very much. Is it did, then all my snakes would be off food, etc.......its just my method that has worked for me.

[stkkts]

I dont think he is stressed at all by this. He doesnt hiss at me, and he eats fine. When he doesnt want to be in the water anymore, he gets out, and goes back to his hide. I really wanted to know if it was bad more than anything. I get the impression it really isnt bad, although there are other methods that can be used. Thanks.

[Solid Snake]

i dont have a problem in sheds, i just mist when they are going to shed, but i dont have time to shed. No need to give'em a bath

[Beardonicus]

There are other methods and I'm sure they work just as well......I am not saying soaking is the best or only way.....just the way that works for me.

[Invictus]

Keeping the humidity up usually works fine for most snakes. Soaking should only be done if they are either taking too long after the eyecaps clear, or if they are shedding in patches.

[snakehunter]

my vet told me to soak my snake every day in shed, and twice a week when not! i trust this vet as i have good experience with them in the past, call your vets if tou have questions.
-Jacob

[sapphire_moon]

It's not bad that you soak your snake.....if he don't want to be in there, he will get out. When I put my snake in water...sometimes he sits there, other times he rushs to get out...it's his "descion" it's not like I hold him there.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Time to get a new vet.

[snakehunter]

why i read in reptiles mag that pro exotics soaks their snakes to keep their skin in good shape, and looking good. i think they would know if their snakes had a problem with it
-Jacob

[Beardonicus]

Its just a matter of personal preference. Soaking is not "bad" its just another way of doing things. Some use humid hides, some mist frequently, some do nothing because the ambient humidity where they live is adequate. They all work......none is "better."