Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my black pine for about a month now and she always seems to be swimming in her water dish. At first I thought she was in shed, which she was, but after she shed she continued to just hang out there constantly. I am located in az right outside of ph, so I rarely use any type of underbelly heat. in my house the high is about 80-81 and low is 75. She has no problem eating and has not refused at all. I currently keep her in a sterlite tub, so I do not think humidity is the issue. Is this just normal behavior? she gets fresh water daily by the way. Anyone care to shed any light on this for me?? Thanks
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"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an egg-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

0.1 Black Pinesnake
0.1 Axanthic Brooks Kingsnake
1.0 Albino Argentina Horned Frog

Check for mites, common thing for a snake to do if it has mites.

How would I tell if it has mites? Also How do I treat it if it does has mites? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
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"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an egg-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

0.1 Black Pinesnake
0.1 Axanthic Brooks Kingsnake
1.0 Albino Argentina Horned Frog

Check in the water dish, if it looks like there is small dots (looks like pepper) then you have mites. (Use a white water dish.

It is common for snakes with mites to soak in water. I don't have much Pit experience but mine has never been in her water dish.

My carpet python soaked when I first got him because he had mites. It's easy to treat as long as you keep the cage very clean. But first find out if it is actually mites.
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0.1 Corallus Hortulanus
1.0 Morelia spilota cheynei
1.0 Python Regius
0.1 Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi
0.1 Lampropeltis alterna
1.0 Rhacodactylus ciliatus

I would be very reluctant to think it was mites unless you have been feeding live or it came from another snake. That being said I would make sure your temps are right on with a temp gun and if they are alright make sure you have hides on both the cool and the warm side. sometimes snakes will "hide" in the waterdish if they don't have a cool hide. Another thing to keep in mind is if you've conditioned it to be afraid of its hides by always removing it from them instead of while she's just wondering the cage. Just some ideas keep me posted,
Nate

She has only been feed f/t and she has a hide on each side of her enclosure with a water bowl in the middle. I hope she doesn't have mites, but if she does, how do I treat them? My other snake is not acting this way? ALso what cause mites?
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"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an egg-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

0.1 Black Pinesnake
0.1 Axanthic Brooks Kingsnake
1.0 Albino Argentina Horned Frog

Mites come from other snakes. Be it from a petstore or handling wild snakes. The best way to treat for them is to pick up a can of Prevent-a-mite from proproducts or maybe your local herp store. You spray the enclosure and let it air out for about an hour then replace the snake, you also want to remove the water source for 24 hrs. Also while your airing out the enclosure soak the snake in a mix of water and a small drop of dishsoap. then repeat this process in a month. I have heard of people using lice spray as well but do your research as theirs some that have to much of a certain chemical permethrin i think? Make sure the snake does actually have mights though by doing the soak in a white bowl. I wont lie and say I've never had mites but I did treat for them around 5 months ago and have not had any recurences since. Granted it was 2 snakes out of 25.
If you have anymore questions give me a call
Nate

I use hearts 2 in 1 powder for cats to treat mites.
I hope I did not scare you, but if there are mites, you should treat them right away.
BTW, that is one bad thing about buying from a reptile show. People go from table to table wanting to hold snakes. Alot of breeders have hand sanitizer on hand now, but that isn't 100%. I aquired mites from a snake that I picked up @ a show a few years ago. I know you bought yours from a reputable dealer.
Sincerely,
Jerry

Ok, So I cleaned out her cage really well, washed everything, hides and water bowl etc and she hasn't been in her water dish yet? Could it possibly be that she just likes the water alot? I mean thats the only place she poops, plus I checked her water again today and no black specks. Its all just odd to me. Any insight is appreciated
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"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an egg-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

0.1 Black Pinesnake
0.1 Axanthic Brooks Kingsnake
1.0 Albino Argentina Horned Frog

that is a good sign that you saw no mites. Check the snake @ night, since mites seem to hide during day light.
Is the snake in "preshed? Snakes do like to soak during that time.

What type of substrate are you using?
What type of caging?
Do you have a temp gun? It is good to take temps of the cage in different spots.

Like I said before, I did not want to scare you, however, mites can be a possibility for any snake owner. It is better to be aware of them than not.
Jerry

For some reason, my two deppei in my collection are the only snakes that I have that will ever do that. They do not have mites, never had, and it is something I have noticed with them from time to time. They will do it once in a while but not to where it is alarming. My thoughts are just that they may feel their cage is too warm. Perhaps that is what your snake may be feeling?
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Genesis 1:1