Who doesn't use a water bowl?

[Mike41793]

Strictly speaking, ball pythons only, does anyone NOT use a water bowl or use one during only certain times of the year?

I'm asking this for a couple of reasons...

1. Most of mine ALWAYS tip their bowls and flood their tubs. If they can't flip them they must plunge their bodies into them so the water just archimedes itself right out of the bowl. Now, this usually isn't a problem because i usually can change them the same day. Now that i'm up into the double digits though, sometimes i have to skip a day and i feel bad leaving them on the wet paper. I know a lot of BIG breeders only clean once a week so i know the snake is gunna be fine, but still, they're my pets and i like to keep them happy.

2. I rarely see my snakes drink. Year round the room stays between 70-80 degrees. The last time i saw one drink was when i pulled my cinny off her eggs and put her into a fresh tub. I had kept the tub really humid for her too to lay the eggs. I'm assuming laying just took a lot out of her.

3. I feed f/t. For god knows what reason some of them love to drag their rats into their water bowls. Sometimes after they do this they just don't wanna eat it afterwards. That leaves me with a nasty mess to clean up and a wasted rat. Also, if they happen to flood their tubs on feeding day, some of them won't eat if their tub is all wet, which means another wasted rat.

4. I've seen people on here before mention that balls get most of the moisture they need from their food. This makes sense because people are also always saying they spend a majority of their time in rodent burrows/termite mounds and moving to new ones to look for food. So for a majority of the time, when in the burrows, they wouldn't have access to any water, correct?

I was thinking what if you only kept a water dish in their tub while they were going through a shed cycle? That's really the main time when higher humidity is most important to them. Semi-recently i've expanded into the world of tarantulas and learned a lot. Like balls, T's get a lot of their moisture from their prey. With that said, some species still need additional moisture so I provide them with a water dish. But on the flip side, some species don't need any water dish and get all the moisture they need from their food. Comparing that to bps, i'm just thinking maybe they're a species of snake that doesn't need a water dish. Does anyone know of other species of snake that are commonly kept without a water dish because the snakes simply don't need it?

I'd like to also add that i'm NOT asking this because i'm trying to cut corners or be lazy or neglect my snakes in any way. (Notice i posted this in the ADVANCED husbandry section lol). I just wanna know if anyones tried keeping their balls without water dishes and how it's worked out for them.

[toyota89]

I don't have an answer for you mike because the only Bp I have that makes a mess with his water is the cinnamon I got from you.

Sent from my Droid RAZR M using Tapatalk 2

[S.I.R.]

One quick trick we use sometimes is to cut a small segment of 4" PVC pipe(about 3" in length). Then use all natural rubber caulk or aquarium sealer(no chemical or silicone based caulk) and go around the inside and outside of the PVC ring, place firmly on bottom of tub, and let dry for 24 hours. After that place water bowl or deli cup inside and no more tipping over. Works great every time. Good luck!

[Anya]

I don't have an answer for you mike because the only Bp I have that makes a mess with his water is the cinnamon I got from you.

Sent from my Droid RAZR M using Tapatalk 2

It's all your fault, Mike. You have defective water-tipping snakes.

[ARamos8]

If I get thirsty I get a drink of water. If they get thirsty they have the option. Just because you didn't see me drink doesn't mean I didn't.

[KMG]

My snakes are well behaved Mike. Maybe you should send yours to finishing school to learn some manners.

I use ceramic bowls and have never had one tipped or overflow. Maybe you should put less water in them.

[Mike41793]

I don't have an answer for you mike because the only Bp I have that makes a mess with his water is the cinnamon I got from you.

Sent from my Droid RAZR M using Tapatalk 2

Well my fire does it too and he's one of the pains in the ass who drops his rats into the water bowl sometimes. So have fun with him too lol.

I can't do the pvc idea because i use newspaper as substrate.

I usually only fill them halfway. I'm telling you, i've watched them do it even with the ceramic bowls. They push on the front of the tub with their face and the water bowl with their neck at the same and tip them so water spills out. A few times i've seen them do this and then go right back into their hides. They aren't out actively hunting or have a messy tub, they just do it for fun it seems...

[Mike41793]

If I get thirsty I get a drink of water. If they get thirsty they have the option. Just because you didn't see me drink doesn't mean I didn't.

Yep i get that. But if we hung out for like 5+ years everyday i'd see you get a drink of water. A lot of drinks probably. In my experience of keeping them i can probably count on one hand the number of times i've seen them get a drink. I'll stretch it and say MAYBE 10 times total. Thats overestimating though.

[Mike41793]

Oh perfect here we go. Tonites feeding nite and my fire is cooperating.

The fire boy proving my point! He's been like this for an hour now.

[kameo37]

Well, I'm certainly no expert, but here goes...
I don't know about the tipping thing, but how about taking the water bowl out before feeding? That way at least you won't have a wasted rat.