A different Carpet question..

[cdavidson9]

Hey guys and gals, I have had my Jungle Carpet for a couple months now and this is the first time I have seen him doing this.. He is on his third day in a row soaking in his water bowl. He ate three days ago also, that's why I'm stumped. Shouldn't he be sitting on the 90 degree hot spot under his hide to digest? I hope everything is ok. His mannerisms seem fine.

Ambient is 80. In a CB70 until I get an Arboreal cage. Hot spot as mentioned above is 90ish. Thanks for any input.

[gman8585]

Unless he has mites. This sounds normal to me. Maybe a pre shed soak or maybe his body just needs to cool down.

[JayyPastel24]

No stick these guys do climb, and I'm guessing he refused 2 meals since he was fed 3 weeks ago, anywho are you switching him from mice to rats, and they soak I wouldn't worry to much, he also might having trouble pooping you should put him on the hot side

[Austin236]

The soaking is fine as long as you don't see mites. So I wouldn't worry, it's more than likely a pre shed soak, mine do it for a week at a time sometimes before they go into shed. Like I said if you don't see mites visually you should be good.

[mainbutter]

A few tidbits from my time with carpets so far:

1) One of my 2010 MTC pickups was a constant soaker when she lived over at John Battaglia's. He described her as living in her water dish I believe. She has never exhibited the behavior after she was shipped to me and I put her in a naturalistic viv. *shrugs*. They can just be kinda weird.

2) Don't worry about her not using her hot spot. These guys do not always need high temps, nor do they always get them in the wild.

3) Temps sound fine, I keep mine a little cooler for most of the year but their summer ambients can be 80-83.