How long without water?

[Neal]

Well, depending on the size of the snake why not just use the double sided stick tape? That sucker will hold on a molding on a car while doing 140+mph, I'm sure it'll give the snake a fight for tipping the water bowl.

[Anya]

ehh...no. Snake's almost guaranteed to work it loose and then get it on it's self. nooo taaape.

[Belle]

I'm babysitting a ball python right now that I don't want to touch. Of course it stays in the hides 90% of the time so it isn't a problem to change the water or move a probe without seeing much less touching the snake. Do your snakes come out to investigate when the enclosure is disturbed for water changing?

Although I don't want to touch the snake; I will in a pinch no problem. However, my kid is easy to screw with and thinks I fear the snake, so I make a big show out of having heavy welding gloves and a coat handy to make her think I use them when she's gone. If one of your snakes really makes a mess and seems to NEED water or an easy rearrangement of bowl/hide, etc. would your person feel better covering the hide with the snake in it with a towel or box or something while wearing heavy gloves and a thick coat/sweatshirt to protect arms & wrists? Sounds silly, but the snake won't laugh or anything. Better than leaving the snake in a potentially subpar environment.

[Herpenthusiast3]

You should def try and find someone who keeps snakes or is at least not scared of them. What if said person opens a tub to check on mr or mrs snake and it wants to come out. I would be worried about how that person might go about getting the snake back in the tub. Just my 2 cents. I don't know as to whether the hot glue idea was shot down or not but that sounded like a good idea.

[DPBallPythons]

Or find a better friend who isn't such a wuss.

Although, we have to respect that some people simply doesn't care for snakes. It doesn't make them a wuss, but rather uneducated and cautious.

What's the point of "checking on them" if the person won't do anything to correct a problem?

That person could let you know if something happens. There's many scenarios where this could be useful. But I wouldn't give the responsibility of your snake(s) to a person who doesn't want to touch it, if that is what you mean? It's not cool for your friend or the snake(s) if something really happens.

To answer the question from the OP: I would leave about 1/4 of the bowl with water, but I bet they would be fine without any in just one week.

[Belle]

...What if said person opens a tub to check on mr or mrs snake and it wants to come out. I would be worried about how that person might go about getting the snake back in the tub.....

Yeah, if the bp I'm watching actually got out I would and could safely get him back in the enclosure (without gloves or a snake hook). If the person is actually terrified, the involuntary response will be to run in terror and disregard the snake's well being or lack thereof.

I thought perhaps the person willing to watch the snakes isn't mortified, but just doesn't want to get touchy feely with the pythons. I'm not afraid of lots of things (like wet dog poo) but don't want to grab it with my bare hands either.