Mine drinks the same way, and she actually refuses to use hides. I've gone smaller and smaller and smaller and no matter what I put in there she wont use it. Instead she shoves herself under a "fallen log" and when she feels movement around her she picks up her head. It's like a dog laying in a dog house. -lol-

As for the tree thing, she just wants to be an emerald tree boa when she grows up. She's practicing. You have to be supportive. -lol-