Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is it known for snakes to defecate in there water bowls/tubs and stay in there for long periods of time?
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Cheesemonkey

Pits aren't one of the species that sit in the water bowl much at all. If your bull is staying in the water and is not about to shed it is probably too hot, too dry (but not likely) or has a parasite issue but I would guess too hot.
I don't even see any of my pits sit in their bowl before shedding. They might pass through the bowl breifly but not stay in it.

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Randy Whittington

What are your temps.
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Randy Whittington

Temps are 80-85 hot and mid to high 70's cooler end this has only started happening for the last 2-3 weeks since i introduced a lid to the water tub.
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Cheesemonkey

None of my pits do, except for my wild caught male sonoran gopher, but it's usually only after he's completely engorged himself...

//Todd

It is very common for snakes to defecate in their water dish.

For bulls and other pits, I do not think it is common for them to soak in their water dish. I never have it happen except every now and then, if my room gets hotter than I want, I have two deppei that will get in their water dish, telling me that it is too hot.
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Genesis 1:1

He tends to go in once he has eaten and/or when he wants to crap these are the only 2 times I see him go in there its just when he gets in there he doesn't seem to want to come out........ for example Sunday night I fed @10pm and from then until halfway through the next day he was still there.
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Cheesemonkey

Two possibilities:
Temps too high
Mites

how would a snake get mites? the temps have been the same temps since i got the snaake does any one else want to give some advice i feel there will be more than 2 possibilities
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Cheesemonkey

The fact that you said after adding a lid to the water dish the behavior started makes me think he is using it as a hide.

Add something that would be a better hide for cover and use a small water dish. A snake staying in water with fecal matter is a recipe for disaster.

Jeremy

Yeah, good point; he may just feel more secure in the container. Why not take the lid off of the water container and see if the snake still soaks? Why do you have a lid over the water container? Does he have other hide options available? As far as the possibility of mites are concerned, they are very common on pet store snakes. Did this snake come from a pet store?

Yeah, good point; he may just feel more secure in the container. Why not take the lid off of the water container and see if the snake still soaks? Why do you have a lid over the water container? Does he have other hide options available? As far as the possibility of mites are concerned, they are very common on pet store snakes. Did this snake come from a pet store?

I have taken the lid off previous to this post and he doesnt want to entertain it. just fancied putting a lid on with a hole cut in it of course.yes he has one other hide which he uses most days.And no he did not come from a pet store i bought him privately from a breeder i have had him since hatchling. i have checked him for mites and also his water tub there are no signs of these on him or in water.
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Cheesemonkey

It's not common for Pits to soak in their water, but it is common for them to crap in and on their cage furniture.

reako45