I picked up a 50/50 cross at the Daytona show the other month - he's probably about 6'. He never showed any interest in his water bowl until the first time he fed. After feeding he immediately tried to fit as much of himself in his water bowl. A couple days later I gave him a water bowl he could fit his entire self in. He thermoregulates by going back and forth from basking spot to water bowl during the day and spends most of the night in the water bowl. If I had to guesss, I'd say he spends 12-14 hours in bowl per day. The water bowl is not the only cool place in the cage which has an ambient temp of 78. I thought it strange that he was spending so much time in the water until I noticed his skin began to take on an opaque appearance over a 2 day period. Interestingly though, his eyes never became opaque (I've been checking everyday). He's had the opaque appearance for about 8-9 days now and I've been holding off on feeding until he sheds. I've had him for 5 weeks, fed him twice, but no defecation yet. All this info is leading to a few questions....

Does anyone else have a carpet that spends this much time in the water (keep in mind he was soaking 2 weeks before he ever went opaque)? Does this much time in the water pose any health problems?

Is it possible that all his soaking has somehow dulled his color and he's not actually getting ready to shed (I'm puzzled by the lack of opaque eyes)?

Perhaps I'm worrying for no good reason, but after being out of the hobby for years I thought I'd ask folks with more carpet experience than myself.

Thanks,
Evan

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