Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got my first Ball Python two weeks ago. He is 6 months old, and has fed twice for me. He generally seems happy, but in the last two days he will not leave his water dish. He stays curled up under water for at least 14 hours.

I have checked for mites, but there don't appear to be any. His eyes appear clear so I don't think he is shedding. I am misting his cage to keep it humid, but I can't seem to get him out of his water dish. If I try and take him out, he gets cranky, then goes right back in. I have been told that sitting in the water dish is a sign of stress and is not good for them.

Is his constant soaking a problem? What can I do?

Try puting a waterbowl that he cannot fit into in his viv, also try putting a hide in a different place, it maybe to hot or cold where it is now and thats why he's in his bowl>

Thanks!

Is it possible that he is stressed? My cats have taken to watching him, he didn't seem upset at first. I have covered the side of the tank where they sit and watch, so he should get some peace and quiet. Is it harmful for him to be in the disk all the time?

...aside from mites the most common reason for this behavior is he's too warm. Check your temps. Warm end of cage about 90 or so, cool end about 80. Soaking for even several days shouldn't be a problem, it'll probably induce him into a shed. SJM