Going on a trip

[whatsherface]

I'm going out of town for nine days soon, and I haven't been able to find anyone who would be able to check on my snakes a couple times (never mind cleaning their poop). I'm thinking that I'll just remove their water bowls so there's no risk of any tipping or spillage. All of my bps are pretty regular poopers, so I'm going to skip their meal before I leave so I don't have to worry that they're sitting in poop for days at a time. Does anyone have any tips or advice?

[dr del]

Yes, don't remove their water bowls.

Nine days is way to long to deprive an animal of water. Use heavy ceramic dog bowls to reduce tipping problems.

Are there any pet boarding places near you? Our local reptile store offers that as a service so it might be worth a phonecall.

[whatsherface]

There isn't any kind of service like that near by. I called around to a number of vets, but none of them board reptiles. We don't really have any reptile stores around here, just the big chain places. My sister said she could come check on them once in the middle of my trip (she lives about forty five minutes away), but that's still a lot of unmonitored time. Maybe I'm' just being a worrywart.

[bcr229]

Where in VA? Also, have you asked on the VAHerps.com forums?

[Pythonfriend]

i agree, 9 days means that water will be the biggest problem.

use heavy water bowls on the cold side, so that it lasts as long as possible before its all dried up.

i think with one checkup right in the middle it can work. cleaning and re-filling the water bowls and checking if the equipment is working will be the most important thing. 4 days, then a checkup, then 5 days.... should be possible.

[scalrtn]

I found a local Pet Sitting Service that also looks in on exotics. I'm only going to be gone on a trip for 5 days, and am going to have someone visit twice to change out water. You might also check with a local Vet/Animal Hospital to see if they can board your snakes if you take their enclosures and heating elements in, provided that's feasible. I only have one snake, so the logistics are more simple.

[CORBIN911]

I dont think itll be too bad, my 160z deli cups can last 5-6 days and then still more, but i replace with water every 3 days, (excuse to see them and what not! lol) But if you have a bowl 16oz or bigger youll be 100% a.ok

[MrLang]

Yes, don't remove their water bowls.

Nine days is way to long to deprive an animal of water.

This

I was actually going to suggest running the water a little low. If they have water for 5 or 6 days of it before it evaporates to dry they will be fine, and that way if they tip it they won't be overly soaked for too long.

[Pythonfriend]

you cannot really predict how long it will last, it depends on temperature and humidity.

when humidity goes down (and that is likely when noone is around) evaporation will be really accelerated.

so i think large heavy ceramics or metal water bowls (dog food bowls) that they cannot tip over are a good thing to buy right now.

[whatsherface]

I managed to convince my sister to drive in from her area (for a price). She'll check on them half way through my trip. I put less water in the bowls than usual, but it should last them four days no problem. Thanks for all the help/tips!