I have the same issue with my snakes...so instead of whole or half page crumples i tear the newspaper into quarters and then crumple it up and I crumple them up tighter. Works 85% of the time. In my limited experience, you will always have to deal with some from of water bowl spilling/newspaper. Also push the paper away from the water bowl as far back, and keep his hide (assuming you only use one...I only use one) as far opposite his water bowl as you can.