If a watersnake is constantly kept damp it will break out in skin blisters. In the wild they spend most of their time basking or hiding - water is used as an escape route or for hunting. So do not keep the land area damp. The entire cage should be dry with the exception of the water dish.

In the wild water snakes often bask on branches - so you may want to set one up under the snake's light. Do not feed it a diet entirely of goldfish. There are harmful chemicals/vitamin deficiencies associated with goldfish. Bait store minnows (or wild-caught fish) would be a better option.

Baby water snakes usually become quite tame in captivity.

Tim

Third Eye