Dehydration?

[Unstable3lement]

So, as I am browsing the threads at work...I read a thread someone posted about their BP being dehydrated. Someone posted a picture of what a dehydrated BP looks like, and I guess I need a little more description for me to grasp the whole concept.

How do I tell my BP is dehydrated? If he/she is dehydrated, what does that mean..what caused them to become dehydrated? How to you rehydrate them? How do I prevent this from happening?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated. I don't think I have really noticed if any of them were...because the thought about a snake becoming dehydrated has never really crossed my mind.

Concerned Mother of 7 's

[Adam Chandler]

If your BP is shedding normally (one complete piece) it's fine.

As long as thier enclosure humidity stays above 50% and they have clean water available they will not get dehydrated.

[Slim]

They mostly get dehydrated through neglect and bad husbandry. If your snakes are eating, and having good sheds and are provided with clean water, they should not get dehydrated.

Stress could lead to dehydraton, but the snake would probably go off feed long before you noticed anything like you saw in the picture posted in the other thread.

Sickness can be another factor leading to dehydration, but that would most likely manifest itself by other symptoms first.

[Unstable3lement]

Thanks ya'll!

Another question, referring back to the Caresheet for BP...it mentions adequate ventillation. What hole size would you recommend in plastic tubs (I use the lids as well) that would allow adequate ventillation but maintain the right humidity?

Right now, I am sure my holes are too small seeing as if I don't change the paper often I do get quite a good bit of mold growth

[The Serpent Merchant]

Most people make holes with a soldering iron so the holes will be between 1/8" and 1/4" diameter

The number of holes makes a bigger difference than the hole diameter

[Slim]

I do get quite a good bit of mold growth

Mold growth? I would ventrue a guess that your humidity is very high, or you aren't changing the paper very often. I've never seen any signs of mold with my tubs, and they maintain right at 60% humidity year round.

What are you using to measure the humidity level in your enclosures?

As for vent holes, this is another reason to have a humidity measuring device. You can then adjust the size and number of holes based on the reading. Personally, I like to have a couple more holes in a tub than I need. That way I can cover and uncover holes with tape as I go throughout the year to maintain constant humidty.

[kitedemon]

I believe that it is not possible to have too much ventilation. I hole location and number and size all change air flow I personally prefer to have hi low hole high on one end and lower on the other to produce greater air flow. I also believe that if paper is placed in as a substrate and the water bowl is removed and the tub is basically dry it should equalize with the room in a short space of time. (1 hour or less ideally) Adding a snake to dry like I have described should never raise the humidity inside the tub if it does the snake is exhaling water vapour and it is not venting to the outside. The enclosure should smell fresh and a little like what ever substrate you choose to use and nothing else.

water vapour in the enclosure should be coming from water held in the substrate and the bowls not from the snake.

[Unstable3lement]

The snakes have been having really good sheds (i.e. all in one piece) so I have been assuming my humidity is where it needs to be. Shame on me for not maintaing better attention to this detail. I have a humidity measuring device, which I don't use. The tubs do have water vapor on the inside a majority of the time...too much humidity?? For this reason, I keep the water bowl on the opposite side from the heat tape. But I do notice that the newspaper stays wetter than I would prefer from the moisture running down the side of the tub.

[kitedemon]

Yup that sounds like way too much there are fairly serious health issues associated with poor ventilation and high RH. I'd add lots more holes asap!

[Unstable3lement]

Yup that sounds like way too much there are fairly serious health issues associated with poor ventilation and high RH. I'd add lots more holes asap!

Thanks Kitedemon! I will get on that ASAP...

What health issues can arise from these conditions? What signs and symptons should I be looking for? (just incase one may have become ill?)

I feel like a bad mommy