Excess soaking???

[sattva]

I have had George for about 4 months now; His first 3 months and 3 weeks he could have cared less about soaking in his water dish... But then again he got stuck in shed twice and I had to soak and help him. On the 15th he shed and it came off in one piece, So I figured I finely got his humidity right! RIGHT!

5 days ago, when I woke up he was in the jar of water wrapped around the humidifier and I thought I might have a dead snake... I couldn't get the top off fast enough... I grabbed the wire and pulled the humidifier and George up all at once; George looked at me as if to say WHAT! What do you want! Scared the hell out of me... The next day! He did it again... So I pull him out again and he is always stone cold...

I thought I'd put a stop to this and put a top on the jar, which I did; but now for the last 3 days, I have woke up to him soaking all night in his water dish... I have done a through job of checking for mites with a magnifying glass and he looks really health... So if he just shed and there is no bugs then why would he want to soak all night??? HELP!
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[Albert Clark]

Double check your enclosure temperatures! Maybe it's too hot in the basking area or the whole terrarium? What do you have the thermostat set at? What is your hygrometer readings? Maybe you need a additional hide for more security?

[dave himself]

If your temps and humidity are ok I'd go with Albert on this one mate your snake could be feeling a bit insecure.

[sattva]

I actually had a hide on the right that he never used, so I took it out! As far as temp goes, it has been the same for four months now... 90 degree basking area, and 78 degrees at the cool end. He uses the hide on the right all the time! I guess I could put up some black construction paper around the tank, but I have to say although you can't see this in the picture, there is some sort off a blockage on three sides, a wall, a closet door, a book case... This soaking thing is new behavior for him and nothing has change! Maybe Planets shifted or somthing...

[sattva]

He's got mites! Grrrrr....

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by sattva

I actually had a hide on the right that he never used, so I took it out! As far as temp goes, it has been the same for four months now... 90 degree basking area, and 78 degrees at the cool end. He uses the hide on the right all the time! I guess I could put up some black construction paper around the tank, but I have to say although you can't see this in the picture, there is some sort off a blockage on three sides, a wall, a closet door, a book case... This soaking thing is new behavior for him and nothing has change! Maybe Planets shifted or somthing...

is that basking temp the air or surface, air temp at basking should be 90-95 but surface should be much higher

[Tsubaki]

Originally Posted by sattva

He's got mites! Grrrrr....

Ugh bummer!! Pesky little boogers..

[dannybgoode]

A slight side note note now we know the problem with regards to hides.

How do you know he never uses the second hide? Auntie Rachel has a hide I never *see* her in but she definitely uses it. She always poos in there!

He may have used it at night for example. Plenty of hides for choice imo whether we think they're used or not.

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by sattva

He's got mites! Grrrrr....

Man! I was hoping it wasnt that! Well, thank goodness for Natural Chemistry and Proventamite. The nuclear weapons against mites.

[SnoopySnake]

Originally Posted by sirtalis

is that basking temp the air or surface, air temp at basking should be 90-95 but surface should be much higher

90 for a hot spot for a retic is fine

[DLLNP]

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

A slight side note note now we know the problem with regards to hides.

How do you know he never uses the second hide? Auntie Rachel has a hide I never *see* her in but she definitely uses it. She always poos in there!

He may have used it at night for example. Plenty of hides for choice imo whether we think they're used or not.

I was going to say the same thing! Snakes are so sneaky haha and probably 80-90% of the day you aren't actually watching them move around the enclosure... so who knows what they get up to.

Is George far away from your other animals? You will want to check everyone for mites, your newest animal most likely brought them in

[macandchz]

sattva- i think DLLNP is right. you didn't have the problem until the new 1 arrived. be sure you isolate him from the rest of your boys so you don't end up with a real out-break. good luck.

[sattva]

Just an up date... All 3 of my guys have two hides now... Yes their all in the same room... I found about 5 mites between two snakes... Not to bad!
I'm thinking they came in on Moe but at this point it doesn't matter... I cleaned and treated all 3 snakes and cages... For the first time I am not jealous of you guys who have 30 snake collections... It took me three hours last night to deal with this... Let the battle begin!

[sirtalis]

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

90 for a hot spot for a retic is fine

According to who, yes if the air is 90 good, but the surface should be 100+

[SnoopySnake]

Originally Posted by sirtalis

According to who, yes if the air is 90 good, but the surface should be 100+

100+ is too hot. Look at retic care in reptiles magazine by Jay Brewer from prehistoric pets, hot spot at 92. They do not need 100+ degree temps:
Reticulated Python Care Sheet

Vital exotics, 70's to mid/upper 80's: Reticulated Python Care Sheet | Vital Exotics

World of retics, 75-90 degrees: http://http://www.worldofretics.com/...us/care-sheet/

Bob Clark, 80-90 degrees: http://http://www.bobclark.com/articles/200207.html

Saying they need a 100+ degree hot spot/surface temp is simply wrong and it's also too hot.