How do I get my BP to drink without bathing him?

[thecrazyandinsane]

I know that I'm only supposed to bath him (Charlie) before he goes into shed but earlier today I went to the st. louis reptile show and handled a few of the ball pythons there and they were much smoother. When I petted them backwards their scales didn't //peal back?//
I know that it's common for this to happen before shedding, or at least this is what I've heard, but Charlie is often like this even after shedding. I'm pretty sure the scales pealing back when pet backwards is caused from dehydration/lack of humidity. The thing is, I spray his tank daily so I'm assuming that he isn't drinking enough.

Now about bathing. Charlie drinks more when he bathes than I have ever seen him drink in his enclosure and this is where I got the question from. I've seen ways to get snakes to drink, like that Viperkeeper on youtube that uses a water bottle. I'm just unsure of how to get him to drink without bathing him very often.


TL;DR: my BP is showing signs of dehydration and only drinks when I bathe him and I only do so before he goes into shed. I'm curious if there are any other ways to get him to drink. And yes, I have two water dishes in his enclosure.

[Archimedes]

Keep his water good and fresh-- change it once daily, or twice if it needs it. Also, I'd forgo the pre-shed bath, as it can wash away oils he needs to keep his sheds running smoothly. What is your general humidity reading? Husbandry check-- hot spot/cool side temps? When was his last shed? And lastly, what are you currently feeding him? Believe it or not, BPs get an awful lot of their water from their food intake, so his prey may need to be adjusted as needed.

[carlson]

I never see mine drink, they have big shoe box tubs for water bowls so they soak when needed an drink when needed.

[Coopers Constrictors]

You will rarely ever see them drink. I have only seen mine drink a handful of times. They drink plenty though, so don't worry. Do not soak them when they go into shed... simply raise the humidity to about 70%. The humidity otherwise should normally be about 50%.

[majorleaguereptiles]

What's with the whole bathing? I think that might be the cause. Too much moisture.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I know that I'm only supposed to bath him (Charlie) before he goes into shed .

actually, No.
You really never should need to bath your snake ever. If they feel the need to soak they will.
Try and get your humidity up.

[Archimedes]

That was my thought as well. If the bathing is too frequent, those natural oils are getting washed away.

[thecrazyandinsane]

Keep his water good and fresh-- change it once daily, or twice if it needs it. Also, I'd forgo the pre-shed bath, as it can wash away oils he needs to keep his sheds running smoothly. What is your general humidity reading? Husbandry check-- hot spot/cool side temps? When was his last shed? And lastly, what are you currently feeding him? Believe it or not, BPs get an awful lot of their water from their food intake, so his prey may need to be adjusted as needed.

the cool side is room temperature at the lowest so 74/75 degrees. The hot spot temperature is around 80 ( i was told not to use wall thermometer so I had to estimate). His last shed was around a month ago. I'm unsure about the humidity because I was told as well not to use a wall hydrometer because it is inaccurate and I don't know where to get an accurate one. Last time he ate (Wednesday) Charlie had two frozen thawed fuzzies. Recently, though, at the show earlier I was told to upgrade him to one frozen thawed mouse.

[PitOnTheProwl]

the cool side is room temperature at the lowest so 74/75 degrees. The hot spot temperature is around 80 ( i was told not to use wall thermometer so I had to estimate). His last shed was around a month ago. I'm unsure about the humidity because I was told as well not to use a wall hydrometer because it is inaccurate and I don't know where to get an accurate one. Last time he ate (Wednesday) Charlie had two frozen thawed fuzzies. Recently, though, at the show earlier I was told to upgrade him to one frozen thawed mouse.

You need to get a digital thermometer.
The hot side should be warmer than that, closer to 90.
What are you using for heat and how are you regulating it?

[thecrazyandinsane]

alright, I never considered that, thanks