Ball Python completely under water?

[swiftskater1]

Okay guys, Idk about your ball pythons. But one of my new ball pythons is completely in his water bowl. Like with his head underwater just swimming around. Is that normal?? i guess he comes up for air every so often.

[alessia55]

Okay guys, Idk about your ball pythons. But one of my new ball pythons is completely in his water bowl. Like with his head underwater just swimming around. Is that normal?? i guess he comes up for air every so often.

My ball python Kaybe will put his head under water if he's going into shed sometimes. Yours is probably just being goofy and going for a little swim. I don't think it's a red flag behavior or anything.... Unless someone else on here has any other ideas. :)

[KORBIN5895]

How new is it? One of my rtb was doing that and when I checked I noticed mites.

[UwabamiReptiles]

Yea I would check to see if there are mites in the water bowl. You would see little black dots in the water if he has them.

[youngster]

This is your ghost? You just got this one so it wouldn't surprise me if he had mites.

[mykee]

Yes, its normal.

[Kayla90]

You should take a picture anyways... cause it'd be cute :P

[mistersprinkles]

Please

Post a picture

Check very closely w/magnifying glass in water for mites. Check the nose and heat pits for mites
VERY gently move the skin to check eye sockets for mites. Defecating ok? Breathing ok? Abnormal? Is the animal skittish or otherwise behaving odd? What are temps and humidity? Any prior issues? Age and sex of snake? How is the general condition of the skin? When was the last shed? Any other odd behaviour? Please describe enclosure and typical feeding/handling (The more we know the more we can assist you)

[gonesnakee]

Likely the first time in its life it had a proper size water bowl & is just enjoying it.
Many snakes love their water dishes & its not something to worry about.
Potential concerns being mites as has been mentioned & maybe being kept too hot.
If all husbandry is correct & the snake was inspected properly on arrival & properly quarrantened to ensure it had no external parasites, its nothing to worry about in the slightest. Mark

[TeaNinja]

ive seen my bp do that and my young female dumerils likes to swim in her water dish sometimes also. i saw her do it last night.

[SkYyaMe1623]

It's likely one of the following:

-shed (normal no changes needed)
-too hot inside enclosure
-mites

[Devorah]

A snake can stay under water for much longer than a warmblood. 5-10 minutes or more. I got rid of mites by repeated cage cleanings and oiling the snake regularly to suffocate them.

[gonesnakee]

Oil should never be used on snakes for any reason.
It is known to cause scale issues & damages to them.
Sometimes it makes them fall off in large number, not mites, the scales ;) Mark
P.S. as far as smothering them goes one could use anything, heck why not peanut butter it would work, not at all good for the snakes skin, but would smother mites

[SWALTERSFPPD]

mine soaks and completely submerges before he eats he loves it