Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Should I be concerned? I have never seen her do this before. She entered the waterbowl on a 95 degree day on Wed. and has been there ever since even thought it has cooled down to the 70s. Any thoughts? Jeff C?

BRBs love to soak and I've noticed they do it for a couple of reasons. Often, they will soak to cool off. It sounds like yours is doing this. Even though the ambient temperature has dropped, the water temperature is probably quite stable. She's found a temperature she likes and will remain there as long as she's comfortable. Mine will also soak when they are in shed. I have observed animals sitting in water dishes for a week or more. This is why I'm a big fan of large dishes that the snakes can comfortably submerge in. You probably have nothing to worry about. It's just your snake exhibiting some natural behavior.

All that said, snakes will also soak if they have mites. I've heard that this relieves the discomfort of the mites (also kils the little buggers). Check the water dish for small (pepper-sized) grains with legs. if you don't see them then your snake is fine.

I'm sure you know this but I'll say it anyway. 95° is way too hot for the BRB. It's great that she has access to a big water dish otherwise exposure to this temperature (even for a short time) could have killed her. As we move deeper into summertime, I always have to take extra precautions to make sure my snake room doesn't over heat. Many times I will open alll the windows at night to let the heat out and then lock things up tight during the day too keep it out. Just a thought - don't mean to lecture you.

BTW - Pretty animal
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

I gotta echo Mike's advice - Sometimes it is nothing, soaking is common and often for extended periods. I have seen my brbs (esp once they mature) spend days in the water bowl (near shedding they will often be there for a week or more). So it may be nothing. When is the last time it shed? Have you noticed if it is starting to blue?

Also, if it is tame, pick it up.. see how it acts.. as long as it is acting normal, I would not be to worried about it. When you put it back, it may or may not return to the water bowl.

Now, it has been said several times, but you really can't afford to let your brb ever get to 95. Those temps can cause damage to the nervous system and often death. So, if that is the case, take the precautions necessary to prevent it in the future.

>>BRBs love to soak and I've noticed they do it for a couple of reasons. Often, they will soak to cool off. It sounds like yours is doing this. Even though the ambient temperature has dropped, the water temperature is probably quite stable. She's found a temperature she likes and will remain there as long as she's comfortable. Mine will also soak when they are in shed. I have observed animals sitting in water dishes for a week or more. This is why I'm a big fan of large dishes that the snakes can comfortably submerge in. You probably have nothing to worry about. It's just your snake exhibiting some natural behavior.
>>
>>All that said, snakes will also soak if they have mites. I've heard that this relieves the discomfort of the mites (also kils the little buggers). Check the water dish for small (pepper-sized) grains with legs. if you don't see them then your snake is fine.
>>
>>I'm sure you know this but I'll say it anyway. 95° is way too hot for the BRB. It's great that she has access to a big water dish otherwise exposure to this temperature (even for a short time) could have killed her. As we move deeper into summertime, I always have to take extra precautions to make sure my snake room doesn't over heat. Many times I will open alll the windows at night to let the heat out and then lock things up tight during the day too keep it out. Just a thought - don't mean to lecture you.
>>
>>BTW - Pretty animal
>>-----
>>Mike Lockwood
>>www.tooscaley.com
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photos.xtremecombatsports.com

Just inb case you have not seen one, this is what the nasty little boogers look like:

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

your heating device controlled? What temperature variants are inside the cage? Is there any pepper like substance in the water (mites)? A temp gun is a great tool to have btw and you will never regret getting one either I assure. Keep us posted and worst case scenario unplug your heating device if it is too hot and not on a thermostat or a dimmer switch that you can adjust it. Hope this helps
Bob

Thanks for the response. This is Chris not Jeff (LOL). I just temp gunned Lucy and she and the water bowl are at 75f. I have the heat mats controlled with a rheostat and turned it down the other day so temps seem fine. I'll see how long she keeps this up for. My wife added cool water to the bowl on Wed. which must have helped the snake out alot!

why Rheostsats are OK but thermostats are WAY preferred!!!!!

A rheostat will continue to pump juice into the heating element no matter what the temps are and MUST be monitered. Specifically as seasonal changes occur and out of normal temp days happen. Both ways, too hot (more critical) and also too cold.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I paid $210 for my first Raytek temp gun a decade ago. It is probably the best snake investment I have ever made. Since this time I have picked up two more and am eyeing an infarred camera just for kicks.

....And soaking is what rainbowboas do. Certain bloodlines spend 50% of their time underwater while others rarely soak. I agree with everyone about soaking being normal...I just wanted to sing the praises of temp guns..
enjoy your weekend...
BHH

nice brb love the super dark sides with bright dorsal color very contrasting anywhos agreed with what they said mine if we hit a hot spell and i dont get home in time to turn A/C on and snake room hits a high of 90 they are in the water right away unless it is a normal cool day or A/C cooled day and i justed changed the males water bowl for some reason whenever i change his water he goes and soaks right hafter he takes a nice big drink that boy goes throu so much water between drinking and soaking if any1 wants to see a snake drink come here it is almost like clockwork

My BRB will be in his water bowl for days upon days. I think his record is 3 straight days that i know of! He even goes and visits his water bowl after he eats to soak for a few hours.
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Russ
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Apollo)
1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa (Odin)
1.0 Guyana Red-Tail Boa (Ares)
0.1 Pastel Salmon Boa (Minerva)
0.1 Rosy Boa (Athena)

Melbourne, Fl