Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There was a thread in the hognose forum, and I maintained that distilled water should not be used for herps to drink because it lacks minerals.

Another poster stated his position - hognose drink very little water (snakes in general seldom drink standing water) and do more moisture absorption through skin contact. Plus, they do not sweat. So, the vast majority of minerals are consumed in prey and few minerals are lost compared to humans for example.

Very good points. But still, I say why reduce nutrition further, since our captive conditions are likely a compromise already.

Does anyone know anything about this subject? Thanks.

I, currently, use tap water for my wc great basin gopher snake. I usually let the water stand in an open container before pouring it into my snake's water dish. My town does not do continuous chlorination, but it does chlorinate a few times per year (never announced). Supposedly the water from my town's wells tests low in arsenic, but other areas in the county test high.

I might consider switching to distilled water (depending on the results of this thread). That could reduce or eliminate the ugly grey mineral build up in the water dish.

Another possibility might be to use distilled water with minerals bought from purebulk.com added back in.