Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1st ? - Are BP's sensitive to chlorinated water?

2nd ? - My 3 - 4 month old BP just shed. I saw that her head skin came off in 2 pieces, so I used the damp pillow case trick, and she was done shedding in an hour (Thank You to whoever came up with that). But there are a dozen or so scales near her head that are dull and greyish. Whats is that?
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0.1 CB '05 Ball Python

1. Yes, I think ANY snake is sensitive to clhorinated water and not just BP's.

2. Are they scales from the shed? or scales that fell off... If there scales that fell off then somethings wrong.

I know that when I kept fish as a kid, whenever I cleaned out their tank, I had to let the water sit for 24 hrs, and during that time, the temp would get to the right spot and the chlorine (which is harmful to fish) would evaporate out...I've always assumed this worked and if so, it should be a good practice if snakes are harmed by chlorine (i've been doing it with mine just incase...didn't know)
Jeremy Conrad
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Isn't it cooler that serpent's don't walk anymore?
(Genesis 3:14)

Hi,

If your chlorinated tap water is safe for you to drink, it will be fine for your snakes. In an open water bowl, the chlorine dissipates within a day or so anyway, so it should really not be of any concern. I've been giving all of my pythons and kingsnakes chlorinated tap water for 20 plus years without any problems.

About the dull scales, sometimes with a stuck shed, the old skin adhers to the fresh skin underneath and pulls off the top layer of new skin, making the scales appear dull. It will cause no harm and will shed out with the next cycle. Good luck.

Will