Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey, I've heard that soaking in water is extremely important for her scales, but my snake wont soak on her own. I think it might be because the water is always cold, but I dont know how to keep it warm. I've thought of putting a small, low-heat, 3"x4" heating pad under the tank right below the water, but I'm not sure if I should.
what should I do?
Please help me out!

There are no water bowls in nature for Ball Pythons to soak in and they have scales that are just fine.

Ball Pythons are underground-dwelling snakes from fairly dry savanna-type regions of western Africa. They don't soak in standing water. Don't stress over your snake not doing something it doesn't normally do.

>>hey, I've heard that soaking in water is extremely important for >>her scales, but my snake wont soak on her own.

What you heard is wrong. Read Jeff's answer and add this. In my experience the only time a ballpython will soak voluntarily is when hey have mites.

It is a god sign it is not soaking.
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AMAZON REPTILE CENTER

NAMED BEST REPTILE STORE IN LOS ANGELES

I should have added the mite-thing! For sure. Especially for wild caughts.

>>hey, I've heard that soaking in water is extremely important for her scales, but my snake wont soak on her own. I think it might be because the water is always cold, but I dont know how to keep it warm. I've thought of putting a small, low-heat, 3"x4" heating pad under the tank right below the water, but I'm not sure if I should.
>>what should I do?
>>Please help me out!

Many snakes won't soak in water voluntarily. If you want your snake to have good skin and health you need to provide a place that is high humidity for him to go to. I give all my BPs a humid hide.....plastic box with entrance cut in the lid and filled with soaked then squeezed out spaghnum moss. Keep the moss misted and don't bother the rest of the cage.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

usually....

some might...hey..I don't remember.......I think hardly at all..and I got 26?......more..I forget how many too.....

.......have fun......

water at cold end of tank....

tank at hot end 86.........

no heat pad......I just use room at 82 to 85.......
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are we having fun yet?.........
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