Dehydration in snakes.

[ilovemysnake]

As some of you know, i got Turbine Dec 6th. Shes shed and has eaten. But, I haven't seen her drink.
Both her and Turbo are always in their hides.
Temps are right and everything, Turbo will come out sometimes, only if i check on him, will he come out to explore.

Now the thing is, turbo never used to go in hides until i decided to splurge and buy they both fancy rock hides that you can put moss in. well thats what im doing with both of their hides. and its pretty moist in there.

so my main concern is, should i be concerned with her not drinking if shes always in the moist/humid hide? I've never gotten a moist hide like this before for any snake, so im not sure.

[Hurrok]

Most snakes will drink when you aren't looking, I rarely caught my ball pythons drinking until I had over 10 of them haha. If she's shedding and eating fine then she's probably drinking as well, so no worries!

[ilovemysnake]

Most snakes will drink when you aren't looking, I rarely caught my ball pythons drinking until I had over 10 of them haha. If she's shedding and eating fine then she's probably drinking as well, so no worries!

she had almost a full and clean shed. only thing that she didnt shed off right away was the tail. which came off like an hour later.

and its weird, cuz i always see turbo drink. she wont eat if im looking.

[lady_bug87]

If your husbandry is right they won't drink all that often
Its completely healthy and normal

[LiL Zap]

Chances are your snake is drinking when you're not looking. I've woken up in the middle of the night before and caught my snake drinking.

Now my brother's hognose will drink all day in front of anyone lol. Every snake is different.

[infernalis]

If your husbandry is right they won't drink all that often
Its completely healthy and normal

This^^^^

The fact that you are not seeing drinking is a fantastic sign that things are dialed in.

Reptiles have the amazing ability to glean maximum body moisture from their prey. Animal tissues are made up of a very high percentage of water, and if your caging is good, they don't need to drink much or at all.

Kudos for good husbandry.

[Mark Taylor]

Only time I ever seen one of my snakes drinking was when she was gravid.

As said its a good thing. I always feed my snakes F/T when I thaw the rats in warm water I feed without drying.

[CosmicOwl]

The only time I ever see my snakes drink is if I put them down near their water bowl, or directly onto something wet. I think it's just opportunistic drinking, though. They don't need all that much water, so don't worry if you don't see them drink.

[formica]

yep agree with the above, I only usually see snakes drink regularly when I have just bought them, after that only occasionally; except for my CRB, I notice her drinking every few days, even with 90% humidity

[ilovemysnake]

alright thanks everyone! i just thought it was weird because my one drinks, though the other doesnt. but will lick the sides of the tank just after misting. and my black rat will also drink if you hold him over the water bowl.

[Sharlynn93]

my lavender corn drinks all the time, but my okeetee doesn't...my AC drinks alot too...takes alot of baths before shedding also...even with me spritzing her tank constantly...I think she just likes to soak :) haven't seen any of the others drink either except once my CRB drank after eating...probably got some eco earth in her mouth...i really don't like feeding on that stuff... :(

[ilovemysnake]

my lavender corn drinks all the time, but my okeetee doesn't...my AC drinks alot too...takes alot of baths before shedding also...even with me spritzing her tank constantly...I think she just likes to soak :) haven't seen any of the others drink either except once my CRB drank after eating...probably got some eco earth in her mouth...i really don't like feeding on that stuff... :(

ill probably broen paper bag it.

[lady_bug87]

There really isn't any need to worry about Eco earth. Even if the snake gets some in his mouth they pass it without issues

Paper bag is excessive and a bit pointless if you ask me

[ilovemysnake]

There really isn't any need to worry about Eco earth. Even if the snake gets some in his mouth they pass it without issues

Paper bag is excessive and a bit pointless if you ask me


Well turbine wont eat unless it's dark. and its easier to just put her in a bag when she eats. She also won't eat if you're watching her. i guess you could say she's shy.

[lady_bug87]

...

I thought you were just laying the prey on it flat

Why not offer the prey in its normal enclosure then cover with a towel ? using a bag sounds unnecessary at best

I wouldn't consider that sound advice but hey if it works than it works

[Will0W783]

Some snakes don't like to drink from standing water, unless it's very fresh. My Wagler's vipers and my Gaboon viper only drink from a dropper or when I bathe them. I think corn snakes are pretty hardy and as long as you provide water and practice proper husbandry I think you'll be fine.

[ilovemysnake]

...

I thought you were just laying the prey on it flat

Why not offer the prey in its normal enclosure then cover with a towel ? using a bag sounds unnecessary at best

I wouldn't consider that sound advice but hey if it works than it works

tried that. didnt work. its a pain in the butt, but i have to do it if i want her to eat.