Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was initially going to ask just how long should a blood juvie be allowed to soak since mine will soak for anywhere from 36 to 48 hours at a time. There has been no obvious ill effect until possibly now. Check this out. This little blood (Sumatran short-tail, P.c.curtus) which eats without fail each week merely sniffed his rat without leaving his bowl then went back to soaking. I'm going to give him until my bedtime to eat (rats should be removed within 24 hrs. of introduction) but has anyone had luck removing their blood python from a soak without stressing it out too much to eat?

maybe he is going to shed, and you havnt noticed yet? on the other hand one of my little guys soaks for a month at a time sometimes, with no apparent ill effect. (dont have to worry about stuck sheds either

jeff

It is about that time again I suppose. I'll continue to keep an eye out for anything out of ordinary. But the question remains. Is it wise to disturb a soaking blood before feeding? Not just because it might hack him off, but will he be too stressed to feed? Thanx for chatting.
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"It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions." --Mark Twain

My sarawak used to soak a lot in her dish.I let her do it for a while but I down sized her bowl so she couldn't put her whole body in there.It was weird she just started doing it one day for long periods.I was affraid she might get ill as she was cold to the touch.Maybe your guy wont eat beause he isn't warm enough since he's just chillin in the water.Signs of snakes soaking is signs of mites, and dehyrating, or low humidity.I'm not saying thats your case but this is just what I've read.I think my girl just felt secure in her bowl as it was a perfect fit.

That is certainly a plausible hypothesis. Humidity levels are never allowed to drop much below 60% before I mist the enclosure. There is also a plastic trash bag over the top to hold in humidity and heat (and there is some ventilation however). I should switch back to the smaller bowl until shedding is imminent. The current soak bowl is one of those clear plastic flower pot saucers with the rounded sides which form-fits his tubular body--very comfy I'm sure. Thanks for the input.
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"It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions." --Mark Twain

Hey,
If you are going to allow your blood to soak for prolonged periods, then you might want to consider using a warmer ambient temp in the mid-eighties. 86-88 would do. It will keep your blood from soaking in cool water for extended periods and possibly developing an RI. JM2C!
-Angel
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In life you can fall many times, but you're only a failure, if you don't try to get back up!
Evil Canevil

Thanks for the heads up! Like I was saying to fishkiller, I'm switching back to the smaller water bowl until shedding time. Raising the temperature at this time wouldn't leave anywhere to escape to cool off except the water bowl since he is only in a ten gallon tank. Perhaps I will go that route when he graduates into a larger enclosure. Thank you again. You probably saved my snake and I both a lot of trouble.
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"It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions." --Mark Twain