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Bathing a Corn snake? or herps in general?

queztacoatl

queztacoatl

New member
Hi everyone,
I've heard of a couple people who bath their corn snakes, and it makes them poop? Is this is a necessity? My corn snake eats and poops perfectly fine without a bath. It also doesn't smell or seem to need a bath. Also I've heard of people bathing bearded dragons, does anyone know about this? Thanks!
 
I'll give this a go, but I'm not an authority, so more experienced people can add or correct this!
The bathing is I think not really necessary, but can help them shedding for instance. Also some seem to enjoy it, so why not :)
In case of bearded dragons, it's a little different. If what I've heard is correct, beardies can absorb some water through their skin. So especially with the ones that don't drink much from a water bowl, bathing can give them the fluids they need. And many also start drinking their bath water.
 
Bathing a corn snake....I wouldn't do it.
Beardies are a whole other story..I have no idea about those!
 
Well that other thread started I'm assuming because of this one. If you actually read my post I wasn't asking if I should do it. I was wondering if anyone else has because I've heard a couple people say it. I'm also not a newb, I've been taking care of herps for years, this topic seemed different, that's why I asked about it.
 
queztacoatl said:
Well that other thread started I'm assuming because of this one. If you actually read my post I wasn't asking if I should do it. I was wondering if anyone else has because I've heard a couple people say it. I'm also not a newb, I've been taking care of herps for years, this topic seemed different, that's why I asked about it.
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Lol, no, I know you aren't a newb, but the ones that are that come check out your thread will see the, "I've heard of a couple people who bath their corn snakes..." and think, "Hooray, I'm going to try that too" so that was more of a redirection... Beardie's are from the arid parts of Australia, so they would be just as uncomfortable subjected to water immersion.
 
Im not a newb, but I am a tad inexperienced on some things, but I bathe my corn a at least once a month, because I can pick up on his shedding cycles, and hes a bad shedder, so I bathe him to let his skin come all off cleanly.
 
Duhfactor said:
Im not a newb, but I am a tad inexperienced on some things, but I bathe my corn a at least once a month, because I can pick up on his shedding cycles, and hes a bad shedder, so I bathe him to let his skin come all off cleanly.
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Well there are a few other tricks you can do other than bathing your snake.
One is adding a larger water bowl another is closing up the air flow (vents) which would increase the humidity and you can make a humid hide too. All of these you can do at the beginning of the shed cycle.
 
Duhfactor said:
good idea actually, and i have a screen top, and how could I cover the air holes?
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Plastic wrap works well. Without using a light on top of it. Your trying to increase the humidity level so you need a good gauge to keep an eye on it. But you could cover up a third to start I would say.
 
ok. thanks! and one random question, i dont have a rheostat/thermostat for my zoomed mini heating pad, my snake doesnt mind it, infact hes there right now on the warm side, but should I bother getting one if the snake doesnt mind temps? and if so, could you point me to a cheap one? im a little short on cash :(
 
Duhfactor said:
ok. thanks! and one random question, i dont have a rheostat/thermostat for my zoomed mini heating pad, my snake doesnt mind it, infact hes there right now on the warm side, but should I bother getting one if the snake doesnt mind temps? and if so, could you point me to a cheap one? im a little short on cash :(
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http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19168

I made two of the second design which is on the second page I think.
Worked well for me. But you have to tweak the temp from time to time.
I ued a thermometer with a probe with it tho. it's a must.
 
Duhfactor said:
what about a laser thermometer instead of a probe? just measure it from time to time? like the handheld ones?
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I have never used one but I think I heard they are good.
If you are using an uth than it wise to read the temps right above it....where it touches the glass in the tank...this is the hottest point that will come in contact with your snake. This temp should be no more than mid 80's.
 
ok thanks :) I have a digital probe my mom uses from work at Hardee's and iy looks almost to be a needle, could I use that for a makeshift probe?
 
We put a blanket over 3/4 of the tank and mist the tank walls. The humidity jumps up very quickly and stays high.
 
i dont have a rheostat/thermostat for my zoomed mini heating pad, my snake doesnt mind it, infact hes there right now on the warm side, but should I bother getting one if the snake doesnt mind temps?
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that's probably why your little guy is having repeated bad sheds. High temps can cause this sort of problem, so if you get a stat and lower the temps you shouldn't need to worry about the humidity any more. Unregulated heat mats can reach well over 100 degrees (I did a test once and a mat hit 120 degrees in less than an hour) - a Corn's ideal max is in the high 80s.

High temps will make shedding skin dry out too quickly - the layer of fluid underneath the skin being shed, dries up before the shed is complete, making the old skin stick to the new.

It could be that he stays on the warm side because that's where his preferred hide is. Maybe you could try moving that hide to the cool side and see if he moves with it?
 
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