Posted by:
PHLdyPayne
at Sat Sep 16 02:50:18 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by PHLdyPayne ]
There are only a few reasons I know of for a snake to consistantly soak in water. One is mites (or other external parasites), two: shedding, or lack of humidity, or three, the cage is too warm and the snake is trying to cool down.
With this in mind, double check for mites. Usually you will see pepper like things floating in the water dish or lying at the bottom after the snake as soaked in it for awhile. If you see some or are not sure, get a can of Prevent a Mite and spray the enclosure, removing snake and water dish before spraying of course. Let it dry completely. Put the snake back in and the water dish. Repeat in another month or two, for a couple months (do this with all your snakes, if one manages to get mites, they tend to migrate into other cages anyway so might as well treat all at the same time).
Check your temperatures (cool and hot end) and humidity levels. If these are correct, get another therometer (digital thermometer with probe and hydrometer) just in case what you have no isn't accurate anymore. If already have digital thermometers, switch batteries. Low batteries may make them inaccurate but certainly doesn't hurt to buy a new thermometer to double check.
Lastly, reduce the size of your water dish so your snake can't actually coil up inside of it. This will help discourage insistant soaking and spillage into the cage.
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PHLdyPayne
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RE: substrate qestion. need suggestions! - PHLdyPayne, Sat Sep 16 02:50:18 2006