How to Bathe a Snake?

Question

I have a bush adult (wild caught) Ball Python. I don't know if he is male or female, but I call him Reggie. He was abandoned at a local pet store andI felt sorry for him. I am wondering how I would go about giving him a bath? Should I use spring, filtered, distilled, or tap water? Should the water be warm or cold? Should I bathe him in the bathtub or in a basin? Do I wash him, or let him do the work? Should bathing be a routine thing, or only once in a while? Is it best to bathe before, after, or during shedding? Reggie also appears to be bloated. What could that be from and what should I do? Are there any over the counter medications for snakes that I could give him? He is starting his shed cycle and I was wondering if I should help him along, or just let him do it naturally?

Answer 1

Ball pythons don't really need to be bathed, unless they have problems with stuck shed because of low humidity, or mites. It is also not so much as bathing, as just letting him/her soak in a plastic tub for 10-20 minutes.

If your python is having problems shedding (your humidity is less than 55% most likely), use an adequate sized Rubbermaid or Sterilite tub with holes on the lid. Fill the tub with about 3/4 - 1" of lukewarm (Not scalding, boiling or otherwise hot) water. Place a heavy bowl or deepdish upside down inside the tub, your snake might rest his head on it, or use it should he want to get out of the water. This is usually done before shedding, or during-after if the snake has patches of shed stuck on. Let him do the work, you don't need to bathe a snake like you would a dog.

I recommend that you do use the lid on the tub because your snake is WC and might try to escape and most likely suceed.

On the issue of him being bloated. This is probably because he is wildcaught and could have a heavy load of parasites. Take your ball to the vet so that a proffesional might confirm that. Never give a pet medications that come over the counter, especially if you have no idea at all of what is wrong.

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Wildcaught snakes don't do well in captivity. He may have mites, ticks, parasites or other diseases that can be harmful to you as well. Rescues out of pity are fine if you are an experienced herper willing to cash out to restore the animal's health. On the note of your python being WC, I'd rather take him to a herper or an animal society who knows what to do with it, and invest in a healthy captive bred one.

Answer 2

Put some luke warm water in a your bathtub (enough to cover about 1/4 of your snakes height as he lays in it) then put your snake in. Let him soak for about 15 to 20 minutes. Take him out and let him run through a towel a few times to dry off.

Easy as that. Just be sure to watch him the whole time just in case he starts to drown. The bath should not only help get him clean, but will also help out with his shedding and any possible mites.

As far as helping him to shed, beyond keeping his tank humidity at about 75% (then drop it back down to normal after he sheds) there's not a lot you can/should do. Anything more could cause a lot of problems.

Regarding the bloat it's hard to say without more of a detailed explanation, but a vet trip might be in order.

Answer 3

ummm i can try to answer ur questions in order ... lol :p

okedoky

1.-  How would u go about giving him a bath?

----- fill up a basin < i think is easier u could also buy a relly big water dish or just use ur tub but i would say a basin is less stressful and easier :p

2.- Should i use spring,filtered,distilled, or tap water?

------ i would think it really wouldn't matter just to be safe give him

water he drinks he should be used to that lol

3.- Should the water be warm or cold?

----- water should be room temp im guessing so i would say warm a little more cold though since they r cold blooded

4.-  number 4 is in number 1 srry bout that

5.- Do i was him,or let him do the work?

----- fir the most part i would just let him slither aroun in the water u know just sit on it or brush up against the sides u could drop some water over him or take some in ur hand and rub him gently :p

6.- Should bathing be a rountine thing, or only once in a while?

------ i would say only once in a while like if u clean his tank and Reggie sittin there smellish lol u could then  O O O O O O especially when there in there shedding cycle u dont have to well bathe him just let him chill in the water be 4 and after he sheds it will soth his wittle skin :p

7.- What could that be from and what should i do?

------ usually bloating is from not being fed enough or being fed to much the only way to know for sure is to take it to the vet

8.- Are there any over the counter medicatios for snakes that i coud give him?

------- :/ not that i know of but u could google it or just ask ur vet along wit the eating condition

9.-  He is staring his shed cycle and i was wondering if i should help him along, or just let him do it naturally?

------- the only good way to help his shedding go awsomley is to let him sit in water every day for like 6-8 minets or if he really likes it just wait till he wants to get out and repet this the day after he sheds it will help soth his skin from any dryness or ichyness or left over flakes lol   NEVER evers pull the skin off unless u see that it is ready to come off and he cant get it off dont force it off :P

good luck hope everything goes awsomeley wit Reggie

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