BP Hydration

[hardball]

Ok, so I took Buddy out for a few minutes today after letting him digest his meal from Monday night and I noticed he had some loose skin. He hasnt shown any signs of being in shed, so I dont think its that. I never see him drink any water though, so when i went to put him back in i held him over his water bowl and he drank for about a minute before he started to turn elsewhere. Im thinking it was just a sign of dehydration, so since he is a shy snake where handling should be limited, is it ok to take his hide off him and take him to his water bowl daily without removing him from his tank?

[Kagez28]

i don't know if that would bee less stressfull or not. but BP's get alot of water from their food. and having humidity in the 50-60% range will also keep him hydrated. to tell you the truth i don't think i have seen my ball actually drink from his water bowl. he more or less will crawl through it but never seen him drink. and he's doing fine. i wouldn't really worry unless he really looks bad.

just my opinion and i am not 100% on the facts but that is what i have picked up around here.

[Kesosip]

there is a exellent artical in this months reptiles Magazine on Reptile Hydration a good read for any keeper. You might want to take a look at it, even though its not about Balls but Reptiles in general.

Just because you don't see your BP drink does'nt mean that he/sh does'nt. as stated above ball pyythons get most there food from there prey so its really importent to make sure that Feeders are Properly Hydrated themselves.

keeping humidity, fresh water and feeding properly hydrated prey through out the year is very importent to your BPs health!

The artical also mentioned that zoo med is going to start producing HUMIDISTATS this year, that can controll humidifires, waterfalls or fogers. Another way to make husbandy that much easier.

As for a clear sign of dehydration in ball pythons if they're Eye is dented, the BP is defenetly not properly hydrated, I had some trouble with naga over winter, Humidity was nothing but trouble, and she was off feed so I had to soak her at least once a week to make sure she was geting some H20.

[hardball]

Ok well i dont breed my own mice so i guess i will make sure to give the mouse plenty of water prior to feeding. Since it wasnt any hassle today though when I do take him out ill be sure to atleast offer him water before letting him be. I just wont worry about doing it daily.

[DragonBalls]

I see my BP take a long drink almost every time after he eats.

[chris B]

Has he shed yet for you hardball?

[hardball]

No he has not shed yet for me. I have not seen him go into blue or have a dull look to him though.

[chris B]

maybe in the next few days you might see some blueish eyes

[hardball]

Haha well hopefully he'll wait until Tuesday because I would love to get another meal in him before he goes into shed.