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  • 03-15-2008, 01:07 AM
    td30
    Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Hi all, I have had a baby RTB for a littlie over a week now and I have yet to see it drink any water and it rarely comes out of the hide.. I think the environment is all good. It did eat for me yesterday. And on top of everything else, his eyes have gone hazy so I think he has begun the shedding cylcle. So maybe this is a dumb question, but can the lack of activity be attributed to the shed and recent meal?
  • 03-15-2008, 01:26 AM
    starmom
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    I've had my little one for a couple of weeks and have not seen her drink; but that doesn't mean she isn't! Also, mine went into blue and slowed down. She also just lays around like a good little snake after a meal...digesting! :gj:
  • 03-15-2008, 08:27 AM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by starmom View Post
    I've had my little one for a couple of weeks and have not seen her drink; but that doesn't mean she isn't! Also, mine went into blue and slowed down. She also just lays around like a good little snake after a meal...digesting! :gj:

    So this lower activity level is considered normal during a shed? And after a meal?
  • 03-15-2008, 08:49 AM
    JimiSnakes
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by td30 View Post
    So this lower activity level is considered normal during a shed? And after a meal?

    Very normal.
  • 03-15-2008, 08:58 AM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jim020cricket View Post
    Very normal.

    Thanks Jimi
  • 03-15-2008, 11:21 AM
    JimiSnakes
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by td30 View Post
    Thanks Jimi

    No problem. If you notice his/her eyes looking sunk in or "wrinkly" then start to worry about the water intake/dehydration. I would mark the dish so it'll give you an idea how much water he/she is drinking. Also, if the humidity levels are good, he/she won't need a lot of water.
  • 03-16-2008, 12:00 AM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jim020cricket View Post
    No problem. If you notice his/her eyes looking sunk in or "wrinkly" then start to worry about the water intake/dehydration. I would mark the dish so it'll give you an idea how much water he/she is drinking. Also, if the humidity levels are good, he/she won't need a lot of water.

    How would you suggest marking the water dish? I guess I assumed most of the level drop would be due to evaporation.
  • 03-16-2008, 07:28 AM
    JimiSnakes
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    What side is your water dish on? It shouldn't be on the hot side, It should be on the cool side and shouldn't cause any evaporation.
  • 03-16-2008, 08:18 AM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jim020cricket View Post
    What side is your water dish on? It shouldn't be on the hot side, It should be on the cool side and shouldn't cause any evaporation.


    Thanks again Jimi, you are a valuable resource to this forum. The water is currently in the middle between the sides. He has been in his hide on the warm side for three days now. I checked on him last night and his eyes look to have cleared up. He also looked kinda of krinkly. I hope this is the shed and not dehydration. How long till this shed happens? How long does this typically take? Should I physically move him to show him the water and get him moving a little?
  • 03-16-2008, 09:11 AM
    JimiSnakes
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    After their eyes clear up, they will get a little "crinkly" looking. If there is water, he will find it ;) . How big is the enclosure compared to him? What are using to check the temps and humidity levels with? What type of enclosure, heat source, and substrate are you using? Can you post pics up? Most of my boas will take about a week to go through a full shed cycle. When I notice they are going into shed, I will spray them down with warm water a couple extra times a day to keep that shed moist so it comes off easier.
  • 03-16-2008, 11:12 AM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jim020cricket View Post
    After their eyes clear up, they will get a little "crinkly" looking. If there is water, he will find it ;) . How big is the enclosure compared to him? What are using to check the temps and humidity levels with? What type of enclosure, heat source, and substrate are you using? Can you post pics up? Most of my boas will take about a week to go through a full shed cycle. When I notice they are going into shed, I will spray them down with warm water a couple extra times a day to keep that shed moist so it comes off easier.

    He/she is about 20" long and in a 20L tank. I heat the room to about 82 with an oil filled heater using its built in thermostat. I measure the temp with 2 acu-rites one on each side. I also measure the ground temp with a temp gun. I heat the warm side with a UTH on a dimmer. I use reptile carpet as the substrate, but it doesen't hold the humidity very well. The tank is covered with a screen top that is about 3/4 covered with vinyl. Take a look...

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../076_thumb.jpg

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../077_thumb.jpg

    https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../078_thumb.jpg
  • 03-16-2008, 12:02 PM
    JimiSnakes
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    I would use some kind of mulch bedding, frankykeno (Jo) uses some good stuff-ask her, to get the humidity up and more stable...this is probably one of the very few ways to keep the humidity levels balanced when using a tank setup. He's definitely in shed and almost ready to shed out too. Looks healthy enough from the pics. No signs of dehydration and in very good shape!
  • 03-16-2008, 12:41 PM
    td30
    Re: Low activity level, Not Drinking?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by jim020cricket View Post
    I would use some kind of mulch bedding, frankykeno (Jo) uses some good stuff-ask her, to get the humidity up and more stable...this is probably one of the very few ways to keep the humidity levels balanced when using a tank setup. He's definitely in shed and almost ready to shed out too. Looks healthy enough from the pics. No signs of dehydration and in very good shape!

    Thanks, make me feel alot better.
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