An expierence on the importance of water.

[StormSerpent]

Had a little experience as of late and decided to post my findings here just so anyone can learn from it.

So here's the story:

I have had a young ball python who has eaten live consistently and eagerly and he usually finishes eating within a half an hour. Well I recently went on a week long vacation to California and the snake ate three days before the departure day. I cleaned his cage, put his lights on a timer, made sure his heat sources were calibrated and find, and gave him a full to the brim bowl of water. I came home last Friday about midday and checked on the snake to make sure he was fine.

He passed fecal matter when I was gone, which I cleaned, and I spot checked the rest of the tank. I put some water in his bowl and left him. I went out the next day to purchase a meal and came home that evening and offered it to him. He realized the mouse was there, looked at him for almost half an hour, and then retreated back into his "den" to sleep. I found this surprising since he had done his cruising the night before. I removed the mouse and placed him in a temporary cage to attempt feeding in a few days. Well, every day I would only fill the snakes water bowl about 1/2 to 3/4 full, to be able to fill it everyday as it would be gone the next.

Well after a few days, on Tuesday, I attempted to feed again, with no luck, same response, the snake would watch the mouse, then retreat back into the den. I noticed no immediate signs of illness and was perplexed. I noticed his water dish was empty, so I removed the mouse and filled up his dish with fresh water. My python took to it immediately, it was like he hadn't drank anything in weeks.

Well, in honesty, he hadn't. He did look "thin" and to me I miss judged this as he hadn't eaten in while, while in truth he was dehydrated, even though I filled up his dish everyday. What had happened was that his water bowl, made of ceramic would heat up during the daytime and the water would evaporate by dusk, and when the snake was active there was no water left.

Well after drinking til his heart was content, he at actively the next night and is doing just fine right now.

So my points:

1. Never assume. You can assume that your snake is doing something, while in reality quite the opposite is happening.

2. Trust your resources. BP.net is very helpful, even if you are not asking the questions. After reading a poll about how often people change water, suspicions were raised as to me as I was refilling every day. Don't be afraid to do a little research.

3. Be sure your snake is drinking water or is hydrated. One reason my snake may not eat is due to dehydration, and it could happen with yours too.

Well, I thought I would share this to enlighten at least some one, and I thought it would be useful to post this here.

[wolfy-hound]

I'm surprised a bowl would evaporate the water out that fast. Unless it's a small bowl, and you have low humidity.

Usually my guys tip the bowls over way before they would be emptied, lol. I spend more time cleaning bins from spilled water than I do anything else, truely. I'm buying heavy crock dishes to use instead, but trying to find cheaper ones to avoid the bill for 40 dishs at $5 each or more.

Good tip though, and thank you for posting it!