Ball pythons are one of the most popular pet snakes, and for good reason. They are docile, easy to care for, and have beautiful morphs. But when it comes to bathing these snakes, there is some debate. Should you soak your ball python, and if so, how often? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bathing ball pythons.
Do Ball Pythons Like Water?
In the wild, ball pythons aren’t often found in bodies of water. They prefer dry, grassy areas. Occasionally, they may soak in water to thermoregulate if they get too hot. But overall, ball pythons are not aquatic snakes.
That said, some captive ball pythons seem to enjoy soaking in their water dishes from time to time. This is especially true in warmer months when they may be trying to cool down
So while ball pythons don’t have a strong natural affinity for water, they can learn to appreciate a nice soak as pets.
When Should You Bathe Your Ball Python?
Here are some of the main reasons you may need to bathe your ball python:
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Stuck shed: Ball pythons shed their skin every 4-6 weeks. Usually the shed comes off in one piece. But if your snake has patches of stuck shed, a soak can help hydrate the skin and loosen the shed. Make sure their enclosure has proper humidity between 60-80%.
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Constipation/impaction: Soaking in warm water can help stimulate a bowel movement if your snake is constipated or impacted. Impaction is when an object is blocking the digestive tract.
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Mites: Submerging your snake in water can help kill mites. Mites are common in snakes and very contagious, so treat them quickly.
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Overheating: If your snake is spending a lot of time in their water dish, it could be a sign they are too hot. Check that temperatures in the enclosure are not exceeding 85°F on the warm side.
Aside from these reasons, an occasional soak can also promote general hydration and skin health. But it’s not mandatory.
Do not bathe your ball python more than once a week unless medically needed. Frequent bathing can dry out their skin.
How to Bathe Your Ball Python
Bathing a ball python is easy as long as you follow a few rules:
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Use a plastic tub or bin that allows the snake to stretch out fully. Avoid tall, narrow containers.
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Fill the tub with a few inches of lukewarm water, 80-85°F. Check with a thermometer.
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Only use dechlorinated or filtered water to prevent skin irritation. Bottled spring water works well.
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Gently place the snake into the water. Never forcefully put them in.
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Let them soak 10-15 minutes. Provide something to climb onto if needed.
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Afterwards, gently dry the snake with a soft towel before returning them to the enclosure.
Make sure the bathing experience is stress-free. Go slowly and watch for signs of anxiety like thrashing around. Not all ball pythons enjoy bath time.
After the Bath: Watch for Defecation
It’s common for ball pythons to poop during or after a soak. The warm water stimulates their bowels. So after bathing, place your snake in a separate holding tub for at least 30 minutes before putting them back in their enclosure. This prevents them from fouling the cage.
Soaking Tips
Here are a few extra tips for bathing ball pythons:
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Only bathe if necessary. Frequent bathing removes healthy oils from their skin.
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Check for stuck shed before bathing. Use a humid hide first if that’s the only issue.
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Add stress coat water conditioner to the bath to help replenish skin oils.
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Monitor the snake the entire time to make sure water stays warm enough.
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Avoid cold drafts during the bath that could lead to respiratory infections.
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Dry the snake very thoroughly before returning them to the enclosure.
The Consensus: Occasional Baths Are Fine
While opinions vary, most experts agree that occasional bathing is perfectly fine for ball pythons. Just don’t overdo it. Baths can provide many benefits for snakes kept as pets. Pay attention to your ball python’s unique needs and only bathe when necessary. With a proper warm soak and gentle handling, bath time can be a relaxing experience for both of you!
Shedding
You will be able to recognize when your snake begins to shed by three main markers. First, the stomach will begin to turn pink, then the skin of the snake will begin to get significantly duller, and finally, the eyes of the snake will become milky and appear opaque. This last stage is called “being in blue”. Eventually the eyes will clear up and within the next 36 hours you can expect your snake to shed.
Depending on the age of your snake, it will shed its skin every 4 – 6 weeks. Ball pythons do not typically have problems shedding as their humidity requirements are not too intensive. Should your ball python shed incompletely, soak the snake for two hours in shallow water. Afterwards, the remaining skin should come off easily.
It is always important to check the snake after it has shed to ensure that there is no skin remaining on the tip of its tail, and that the eye caps have been completely removed.
If you find that your snake is not shedding well, there are several things you can do to assist it. The humidity in the cage can be increased by simply moving the snakes water bowl on top of the heat source. You can also soak the snake for two hours in shallow water after the eyes have cleared (and before the actual shed has begun). If necessary, consider decreasing the ventilation in the enclosure to more successfully trap the humidity.
Fresh water
Make sure there is always fresh water in the cage of your ball python. Some people change the water once a week. I prefer to change the water every 3 or 4 days. Obviously, if the water gets dirty beforehand, change it immediately.
A healthy ball python will not typically soak in its water bowl. Therefore, this does not need to be a consideration when choosing a water bowl for your snake.
Pet Care Basics: Snake Soaking
FAQ
Why is my ball python soaking in water?
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Shedding Preparation:Soaking helps loosen the skin, making shedding easier and smoother.
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Dehydration:If the humidity is too low (ideally 70-80%, with 60% as a bare minimum), your ball python might soak to rehydrate.
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Overheating:If the enclosure is too hot (cool side ideally 75-80°F, hot side 88-92°F), your snake might soak to cool down.
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Mites:Check for small, black, tick-like bugs, especially around the eyes, as mites can cause discomfort and lead to soaking.
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Normal Behavior:Some ball pythons simply enjoy soaking and may do it occasionally, even if enclosure conditions are optimal.
Do I soak my snake in warm or cold water?
-Promote hydration or treat dehydration. You can further help support your snake with a warm water bath. Again, temperature should be warm, at the upper end of their warm range (so 85F for a ball python), in a shallow pan of warm water for 15-30 minutes.
Do ball pythons like to be wet?
Ball Pythons are tropical snakes, their humidity should never drop below 60%. Ideally it should be in the 70-80% range or above it. Many display signs of dehydration at 60% humidity already so, 40-50% will be very bad for them.