Housing together

[sapphire_moon]

I thought snakes were natural swimmers(?) and could actually hold their breath for a few minutes (minute whatever)?

When I had bp's I would have to soak them occasionaly, for a bad shed, and they would often submerge themselfs, blow a few bubbles, sit there, poke their nose out, and go back down.

[monty bl python]

i think that it isthe temputure of the water that is dangerous
because water transfers energy so effectivly i will quickly cool or heat your snakes blood below or over the level that it sould be and with out allowing you to react killing the snake

as far as i have read and done it is ok to let your snake soak in shallow 85 degree water for bad sheds (but make sure that you use a thermometer to test the water;remember the average human body is 98.6 so what fells warm to you may be 105 to110 which will kill a ball python.)

[deborahbroadus]

Now that's the most accurate assessment of how to let a BP swim that I have read so far. It is possible that those that say that their BP died had either too cold water, or too hot.

Every book says that they are excellent swimmers...but I STILL haven't let Gandalf swim yet. :bounce: I am going to do it before it gets too cold outside.

[atropabelladona]

IMO you shouldn't let terrestrial snakes like ball pythons swim in anything deeper than an inch of water, preferably lukewarm.

[Princess Erica]

Letting them soak can do wonders for bad sheds, stuck poop, etc. but you need to be smart about how you do it. As was said above me, shallow lukewarm water seems to be the key. I usually use enough that it will almost cover their body but definitely shallow enough that their head has no problem staying out of the water.

[Cloudkicker]

Personally I would not let my ball pythons swim under any circumstances. There bodies aren't designed for swimming and I can see how it wouldn't take too long for one to drown by stressing out. I'd agree that the water temperature could have some negative effects. I don't imagine there would be many times when a wild ball python would find itself wandering into deep water and have to get itself out, therefore there is not much need for there bodies to develop for swimming capabilities. I've never allowed my ball pythons to swim in anything deeper than their waterdishes. I am comparing the ball python to a snake more able to swim (ie: Australian water python) . There bodies are developed more for swimming because they encounter water more often in the wild than a ball. There are other ways to allow my ball pythons to excersize rather than risking them drowning. Thats just my opinion though, cheers
-Andrew-

[Skeet]

Originally Posted by Kathy Shaw

It is a very bad idea to let your bp swim. They are not good swimmers and have small air ways so can choke easy.
I killed and adult bp by listening to all the "experts" and reading the books that said to let them swim to get bad shed off and to build muscle tone.... They neglected to say that they can drown in a second.

I read the same thing and tried it, deffinatly helped her shed. But I also used only maybe a few centemeters of water on the bottom, just so that she has some water underneight her, but she's not floating. I did this b/c the first time I gave her maybe an inch of water and she got spooked and pulled her head underwater which freaked me out. anyways, sorry to hear about that loss.

[deborahbroadus]

Still haven't let him swim or put him in that tub!! LOL Information is shaky at best.

[nita]

The only time I let my snake "swim" was when I had mites on some and then I placed them in the sink in luke warm water and I put them in butt end first keeping their head in my hand until they decided to explore the sink. They had no problem swimming and even completely submerged for a short while. I don't regularily let them swim but their water dishes are big enough that they can curl up and soak except for my really big guys, over 1000g.