Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Probably a silly question... butI will ask it anyways!
I am getting ready for my gravid girls and setting up the
cages for the babies, I have the tubs all set up with heating
pads and I am looking to buy some water bowls (wish I could buy
bulk! lol) I was thinking the smallest ones, the 3" would
be good, but is that too small and shallow? Would it be better
to go for the 4.5"?
Am I being too picky?
lol
I want to be a good snake-mid-wife
-April
TGIF

how'd this pic get here?

I would get the smaller ones... it would prevent the babies from trying to soak, then pooping, then soaking again in their own feces. This will prevent infection/bacteria setting which can prevent their growth and make them regurge...
you can provide a bigger soak dish occasionally, OR mist them occasionally, OR just put them in Boaphile Racks and you don't have to worry about humidity!
Hope that helped!
Thanks, Joe

If you have a dollar general or flamily dollar store in your area, they carry the best waterbowls. They are actualy glass microwavable bowls. They have a lip on each side on the rim. They don't taper towards the bottom. They also come with a blue lid. I highly recomend these as they don't get tipped over and are completely nonpourus and easy to clean. They are only $1 each.

I personally provide water bowls in each of my cages that are large enough for that snake to completely soak in. For neonates, I've simply used ceramic bowls (i.e. soup/cereal bowls) purchased from a local dollar store or discount store. WalMart and most other discount stores will have something that would work just as well. The only difference I make with the neonates is that their bowl is not filled but instead shallow enough that they can't drown. I used to purchase the bowls made specifically for pets, but long since gave that up when my collection began to really grow. All of my smaller snakes have the above mentioned bowls, the midsize snakes have the actual pet water dishes (8-10 inch diameter size) and the largest snakes have a dish tub of some sort though one has a plastic litter box. All are easy enough to keep clean (check the cages daily) and I wash the water bowls with each water change, occassionally soaking them in a bleach solution.

Raven