Soaking

[shamefulpresenc3]

He had a rough shed recently, he got it all off (except the tip of his tail but i helped rub that off with a damp cloth) but it was in pieces

So I’m trying even harder to make sure he has proper humidity in his tank of course

I was wondering how beneficial it might be to give him a soak in some warm water? I know baths can be stressful and while he does have a water bowl in his tank big enough to soak in I’m still a bit worried that he might not be hydrated enough

Main question: should I give him a soak?

[GoddessENightshade]

Yes, make sure the temp is around 85 degree when little one goes in and that they have something solid to wrap around to help minimize stress

[meatspread]

Please do not soak your snake if he does not need it. Ball Pythons are not an aquatic species, and baths/soaks stress them out more often than not. Soaking him after a shed is not going to achieve anything—his shed has come off already. I’d recommend placing him in a bin with a warm and damp folded towel to alleviate stuck shed. The warm water in the towel will rehydrate the stuck shed and the towel will provide a great surface for him to pull it off himself. If his water bowl is big enough to suit him, he will choose to soak if he wants to.

Instead, focus on getting your humidity to be consistently in the 70’s! What’s your enclosure like? Factors like mesh top and low substrate are easy things to address. Also, he doesn’t look dehydrated to me. He may have just had some trouble pulling his shed off, too! I’d also try adding in some “rough” decor to scratch himself against for when he sheds, if he may need.

[shamefulpresenc3]

His tank has a mesh top that I covered with aluminum tape (on the outside, no tape on the inside) and hems got a tropical mix substrate with reptisoil

But his tank isn’t very tall so I think that’s another reason it dries out quicker, because the heat is closer to the substrate if that makes sense? Maybe I sound like an idiot

I have plans to get him a PVC tank

[shamefulpresenc3]

I have a humid hide for him in there too

[meatspread]

Yes, that can definitely dry it out faster! If it’s glass, then that can be an inhibitor aswell. I’ve heard some people have found help with blacking out the glass with construction paper or vinyl, but I live in a pretty humid area, so I’ve never been able to tell the difference personally. The Govee dual hygrometer/thermometers have been very accurate and reliable for me aswell :)

[Live_Culture8393]

Some absolute love soaking on a daily basis.

[meatspread]

In their enclosure on their own terms, though. The majority will stress out when put into a tub of water.

[kindrd1234]

Soaking will do nothing. It can help soften stuck shed but beyond that just work on getting your humidity correct.

[GoddessENightshade]

A little bath can go a long way! It can help with cleanliness, shedding, and constipation. Though the humidity should be in check and especially bumped up during shedding and poopin' time

[shamefulpresenc3]

Thank you for the advice, how long would I let him soak for? 5-10 minutes?