Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 6 mo old ball has been soaking for about 4 days pretty much straight now. I've been doing my best to work o n the humidity which fluctuates from 45-65%

Is this bad?

-X

Sometimes when the soak like that they have mites

50% - 60% is ideal (IMO) so maybe your ball has mites or something. 4 days is awhile if she does this any longer then she either loves water or theres mites. Look around the cage and water bowl for bugs.

I think he's beginning his shade-cycle. His skin is fairly dry in general and very dry on his 'back' in some parts, and its seeming that his head is having white 'lines' ontop of his nose and stuff. Eyes seem to be a hint cloudy on the top part. Does it sound like he's just soaking to help the shed?

Yeah that can very well be it, but theres a whole set of other ways that can be better for the snake. If you set up a humidity box or mist his cage 2 or 3 times a day then he would be better off rather than soaking in water for a long time untill he's ready to shed. I would just go with the humidity box since it's easy to make and you don't have to worry about forgetting to mist the cage.

How do you make a mist box? (Link w/ pictures would be best)

I have a question for ya. Do you have any hides in there for him? If so are they small enough to make him feel secure? To large a hide is also a reason they will curl up in the water dish. If you have more than one hide you can make one into a humid hide by putting damp sphagnum moss in one of them. If you don't have sphagnum moss you can use a damp, not dripping wet, wash cloth. Anything to hold some moisture. Hope this helps.

Quig