Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was using bottles on my rat rack and just switched over to an automatic system. However, my rats don't seem to be smart enough to drink out of it. Is there any tricks to get them to drink, i put a few bottles back because it was about three days and the water level in the bucket hadnt changed at all. I tested all of the drinking valves and they all work. I really don't want to have to use bottles just because my rats are stupid. Any info would be greatly appreciated so i can educate my rats..lol
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Courtney

Ball Pythons
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Here is an idea for you. You can try putting a little peanut butter on the tip of the valve. That might interest them in it and get them to force water out of them by licking the peanut butter. Also if you adjust the valve so it drips very slowly the could just get the hint.
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Brian n Chrissy

"snakes are kind of like potato chips, you cant have just one"

I don't have a watering system but I use several 32 oz edstrom "Water Buddy" bottles for my rats that use the same valves. I just had to show them how to work it. Got them over close to it and worked it with my finger while they were watching. If one or 2 figure it out then the others should learn from them.

This was with tame pet rats though, not sure how effective it would be with feeders if they are not semi-tame.

Thanks, for the advice i think they might have figured it out. It put their old water bottles next to the new valves and let the bottles run out of water and they started drinking out of the other ones.
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Courtney

Ball Pythons
1.0 Het Pied
0.1 Possible Het Pied
0.10 Normals
0.1 Halloween
1.0 Red Tail Boa
1.0 Burmese Python