In ball pythons, the most common cause of dehydration is low humidity. Contrary to other typical care sheets and advice, ball pythons are a species that require relatively high humidity. Many of these references suggest 50-55% humidity throughout the enclosure, which is incorrect and unsupported by science or this species’ natural history- in other words, 50-55% is an arbitrary number. When the climate of their natural range is taken into account, we find that the humidity is, on average, significantly higher than 50%. As shown by these graphs, the climate in the majority of their range sits at over 80%. Moreover, humidity within estivation burrows has also shown to be higher than most care sheets recommendation.
Providing this species with inadequate humidity leads to health issues and problems feeding. Nearly every living creature relies on osmosis, the movement of water within a body, and ball pythons are no exception. Water naturally moves in, out, and within the body through this process. Too much water loss from this process causes dehydration. This happens because ball pythons are adapted to high humidity. When presented with lower humidity, osmosis attempts to balance out the water on the inside of the body and the outside of the body. Since the outside is drier than this species is used to, more and more water is lost from the ball python, quite literally with every breath. There is not enough water within a ball python to balance out the dry air on the outside of its body, so the snake continues to lose water, becoming dehydrated.
Dehydration both directly and indirectly leads to illness and lack of appetite. Indirectly, dehydration is stressful, lowering the immune system, making it more difficult for the snake to fight off disease. Directly, dehydration reduces available water within the snake’s body, so they are unable to protect themselves from disease or digest properly. Snakes, and many other animals, produce a mucus coating within their lungs to prevent pathogens from entering. As water is lost through osmosis, the mucus coating is reduced, allowing for illness to enter the body more easily. Digestion is also affected, as the mucus coating within the digestive tract is also reduced, making it more difficult for food to move through or digest. Dehydration is problematic because it impacts these systems, making illness and appetite loss more likely.
To rehydrate a ball python, one must understand how ball pythons receive water. It seems straightforward, but oftentimes this thought process is neglected. Ball pythons gain hydration through food and drink- seems obvious, right? But there is more to it. Although one may provide a snake with a bowl of water, it is not the primary way these predators obtain water- prey is the main method this species uses to hydrate itself. Then, if necessary they will drink water. The water in their bodies is then maintained through osmosis, as discussed earlier- therefore higher humidity prevents water from evaporating from their bodies.
The best methods to rehydrate a ball python will depend on the severity of water loss, but the bottom line for managing dehydration is the same: raise the humidity! As shown above, this species range has humidity above 80%, so ideal humidity is generally around 70% and higher for standard enclosure sizes. But wont high humidity cause respiratory infection? No, you can read more about what causes RIs here:
Other recommendations for rehydrating ball pythons are as follows:
For mild-moderate dehydration, provide clean, lukewarm water in a bowl daily. Maintain humidity at 75%.
For moderate to severe dehydration: provide a tub with a latching lid, such as sterilite or rubbermaid. Fill it up with water no more than halfway up the snake’s widest part of their body. The water should be between 85-85 degrees. Place a hand towel in as a head rest for the snake, and soak for 15-20 minutes.
***Please note: ball python scales are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This species does NOT absorb water via skin. Soaking them forces the snake to drink water, but unless they are actively drinking, they will not magically rehydrate!***
For extreme dehydration, vet intervention is necessary to determine the course of treatment, which may include tube feeding, electrolyte soaks, or other veterinary care.
In the end, it is important to maintain adequate humidity for this species to prevent dehydration and keep them healthy.
Dehydration both directly and indirectly leads to illness and lack of appetite. Indirectly, dehydration is stressful, lowering the immune system, making it more difficult for the snake to fight off disease. Directly, dehydration reduces available water within the snake’s body, so they are unable to protect themselves from disease or digest properly. Snakes, and many other animals, produce a mucus coating within their lungs to prevent pathogens from entering. As water is lost through osmosis, the mucus coating is reduced, allowing for illness to enter the body more easily. Digestion is also affected, as the mucus coating within the digestive tract is also reduced, making it more difficult for food to move through or digest. Dehydration is problematic because it impacts these systems, making illness and appetite loss more likely.
To rehydrate a ball python, one must understand how ball pythons receive water. It seems straightforward, but oftentimes this thought process is neglected. Ball pythons gain hydration through food and drink- seems obvious, right? But there is more to it. Although one may provide a snake with a bowl of water, it is not the primary way these predators obtain water- prey is the main method this species uses to hydrate itself. Then, if necessary they will drink water. The water in their bodies is then maintained through osmosis, as discussed earlier- therefore higher humidity prevents water from evaporating from their bodies.
The best methods to rehydrate a ball python will depend on the severity of water loss, but the bottom line for managing dehydration is the same: raise the humidity! As shown above, this species range has humidity above 80%, so ideal humidity is generally around 70% and higher for standard enclosure sizes. But wont high humidity cause respiratory infection? No, you can read more about what causes RIs here:
Other recommendations for rehydrating ball pythons are as follows:
For mild-moderate dehydration, provide clean, lukewarm water in a bowl daily. Maintain humidity at 75%.
For moderate to severe dehydration: provide a tub with a latching lid, such as sterilite or rubbermaid. Fill it up with water no more than halfway up the snake’s widest part of their body. The water should be between 85-85 degrees. Place a hand towel in as a head rest for the snake, and soak for 15-20 minutes.
***Please note: ball python scales are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This species does NOT absorb water via skin. Soaking them forces the snake to drink water, but unless they are actively drinking, they will not magically rehydrate!***
For extreme dehydration, vet intervention is necessary to determine the course of treatment, which may include tube feeding, electrolyte soaks, or other veterinary care.
In the end, it is important to maintain adequate humidity for this species to prevent dehydration and keep them healthy.