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"Drinking fouled water"

oid Jul 20, 2003 01:05 AM

I will be away from my snakes(hatchling and yearling corns)for four days. There is nobody this time that can check/replace their water while I'm away. My snakes tend to defecate in their water dishes, and I am concerned that they will drink this soiled water. I was told to remove the water to play it safe. Does anyone know how long they can safely/comfortably go without any available drinking water? Or, does anyone have any other tips?
Thanks....

Replies (5)

krawls Jul 20, 2003 04:51 AM

What I do is just add another small dish of water in case they have an "accident" in the first one. I would rather do that than leave them without any water.

meretseger Jul 20, 2003 06:10 AM

You could time the feeding so they 'go' before you leave, I'd rather not feed them for a few days extra than leave them without water.

patricia sherman Jul 20, 2003 08:31 AM

One way to provide water without having them get into the container, would be to use a covered deli-cup too small for the snake to lie in, and cut a small hole in the lid. You may need to fashion a "collar" for it, to render it untippable. I agree, don't leave them without water.

>>You could time the feeding so they 'go' before you leave, I'd rather not feed them for a few days extra than leave them without water.

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tricia

reuben Jul 20, 2003 09:31 AM

They can go a few days without water. My big concern wouldn't be the fouled water as much as the likelyhood of the hatchlings spilling the water and living on soaked substrate for a few days. I vote for taking the water dishes out, unless you have a super untipable system I would like you to tell me about.

duffy Jul 20, 2003 12:30 PM

Water is heavy enough, and there are enough different types of bowls out there, that tipping or spilling should be the least of your worries. One of the great things about keeping snakes is that you CAN leave them for a week or so and not worry too much about them. I personally would NEVER leave them without water.
Multiple sturdy bowls seems like the best bet. That's just me, and what I do. Fortunately, most of our snakes are hardy enough to survive most of our ways of dealing with this issue.
Good luck, whatever you do. Duffy

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