Another Question - Water Bowl

[rabernet]

OK, all three of my females that I'm breeding this year have large crocks for water dishes. All three have soaked as part of their building behaviors.

After the pre-lay shed, should I down size their water dishes? In other words, if I kept the large bowls in, would they possibly attempt to lay their eggs IN the water dish, thus soaking and killing them?

[coldbloodaddict]

I use Lg water dishes for all my Balls and have never had one lay in the dish...

[SatanicIntention]

A few of mine have those large Van Ness crock dishes from WalMart and didn't lay in their bowls last year. They all built nests(or tried to) on or near the hot spot.

[rabernet]

Good to know! Thank you both!

[Rapture]

This subject was addressed in the VPI book... I am not sure if they ever had a snake lay eggs in the water bowl, but they (the Barkers) do recommend providing a moist nesting area to lay in. In the absence of a nest, the female apparently may lay in the water bowl instead of on dry substrate.

[elevatethis]

I'd take the water bowl out.

If for some reason it were to be knocked over (mine do this often for no apparent reason), the water in the cage could kill the eggs once they are laid.

She'll be fine for a week or so without it. If you catch the ovulation and count 30 days, you would probably be safe taking it out around day 28 or so....

[rabernet]

This subject was addressed in the VPI book... I am not sure if they ever had a snake lay eggs in the water bowl, but they (the Barkers) do recommend providing a moist nesting area to lay in. In the absence of a nest, the female apparently may lay in the water bowl instead of on dry substrate.

That's a good idea as well!

[rabernet]

I'd take the water bowl out.

If for some reason it were to be knocked over (mine do this often for no apparent reason), the water in the cage could kill the eggs once they are laid.

She'll be fine for a week or so without it. If you catch the ovulation and count 30 days, you would probably be safe taking it out around day 28 or so....

Brad with the smarts! I think I may do a combo of your idea and having damp sphanum moss as well as Rapture suggested. I just want to do everything right - no pre-lay sheds so far, so I've got time to get everything perfect with my obsessive nature! LOL

Last thing for the incubator is buying a brand spanking new digital thermometer, which I'm doing this afternoon.

[West Coast Jungle]

I just leave a real small bowl with small amount of water in case of tip over there isnt much.

I have made moss nests before but they were never used so I dont anymore.
Usually just right on newspaper under warm hide.

[Bill Buchman]

I pull it 7-10 days before they lay. I keep my balls on aspen and almost all mine make a nest from the middle of the tub forward. They end up laying on the plastic. I collect my eggs with 6-10 hours after laying. Good luck!