Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Male Irian Jaya, who is about 30 inches long has been soaking in his water dish for about a week now. He fed fine a week ago and hasn't left the water since. Anyone have any answers as to why? Too hot? Too dry? Temp is about 90 during the day, 75 at night. Humidity about 45%.
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1.1 Colombian Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Dumeril's Boas
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons

Does the snake have a hide spot? It might be using the water as one or you could have mites. Check the water bowl for little black or white things in it and check the snake to see if any little nasties are crawling around on it.

Do you know much about its background? WC, CB, etc? Because I know on another forum there was a discussion about how WC irians like to soak a lot. Actually, it might have been something that the Barkers had written in their mailbox section. Anyway, if it is WC it might just like doing that. But, if you find out that it didn't soak for the previous owner, or if you have had it awhile and it just started soaking, then mites would be my guess, just as muahdib4 was suggesting.
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Ben

When you say the temp is about 90 during the day, do you mean the basking area or the entire cage? If it's the entire cage that's way too hot. You need a cool end around 80 or so.

Bill

We always check the temp and if thats fine, then check for mites!

I have a 7ft JCP and he likes to soak alot sometimes too. He soaked for like two weeks once. Though he would come out of his tub at nite and sit on his branch and then by morning he would be back in. I was a little concerned also so I check for mites and disinfected his cage just in case. I think he just enjoys soaking sometimes. I keep his temps on the cool side 80-85. He has a hide but only uses it for a couple of days after he's eaten and the he's back on his branches or in his tub. I don't think I would worry to much, your snake may just enjoy a good soaking now and then.

I have heard of soaking brought on by temp.issues and also soaking when a hide isn't provided...but the only times I've seen it w/ my own Carpets, it has been either pre-shed soaking or MITES!! Mites can be tough to spot...usually by the time you spot them they've already been irritating the snake for a bit...GOOD LUCK!! Maybe you do have one that just really likes to soak!!
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JOHN H in NH

There is a cool side and a warmer side. Definately no mites, he is clean as a whistle. He is an import and is only about 30 inches at this point so no previous owner info. I will try to give him a hide though and see if that helps at all. It was also very hot here the last cpl weeks so maybe that was it. Thanks for all the replies guys I appreciate the thoughts!!
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1.1 Colombian Boas
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas
1.1 Dumeril's Boas
1.1 Irian Jaya Carpet Pythons

I've got a two year old male IJ Carpet Python who's CB and completely healthy with proper temps and multiple hide boxes and he'll soak for days at a time. He'll even completely submerge himself in his water dish for minutes and then come up for air. If he's healthy, you've probably just got one that likes to soak.
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1.0 Anery Columbian Redtail Boa
1.0 Striped Irian Jaya Carpet Python
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
1.1 Ball Python
1.0 Sunglow Striped Corn
1.1 Leopard Gecko (Male-Albino, Female-Reduced Pattern)
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