Slept in Water Bowl?

[MrBosc]

Hi everyone,

I decided to use that "hill" method so that there was enough substrate depth in one place so that he could burrow. Before I did this he was trying to burrow in his basking spot but being so shallow he couldn't do it. So I let him roam around in the bedroom and I created a hill where his basking spot used to be in hope that he would try to burrow again, however I woke up this morning and noticed he had slept in his water bowl again? he had previously done this before and someone mentioned he may be dehydrated because of the wood chipping substrate. When I changed to top soil and play sand he hadn't done it since except again last night. Any ideas why he's choosing to sleep in his water bowl? my substrate is top soil and sand, watered and the humidity is fine and holding well.:hmm:

[shaunyboy]

check your temperatures,if its too hot a snake will try and cool itself in the water bowl

also check for mites,as the snake goes in the water,in an attempt to drown the mites,imo the easiest way to check for mites,is wait till he's been in the water for a while,then take him out and imediately swab his eyes and nostrils,with a white cotton bud,the mites will show up easily on the white background

that said,imo some snakes like to sit in their water bowl from time to time,for no apparent reason mate

cheers shaun

[MoreliAddict]

check your temperatures,if its too hot a snake will try and cool itself in the water bowl

also check for mites,as the snake goes in the water,in an attempt to drown the mites,imo the easiest way to check for mites,is wait till he's been in the water for a while,then take him out and imediately swab his eyes and nostrils,with a white cotton bud,the mites will show up easily on the white background

that said,imo some snakes like to sit in their water bowl from time to time,for no apparent reason mate

cheers shaun
Just to clear things up for you Shaun:

He posted this in the Varanid section. Aren't those lizards??

[shaunyboy]

Just to clear things up for you Shaun:

He posted this in the Varanid section. Aren't those lizards??

^^^^^
thanks mate...i really need to pay more attention...

you just did Kats job,as it's usually poor Kat that keeps me on track...

but i do NOT mind having more than one carer mate :)

cheers shaun

p.s.i'm getting old ;):laugh:

[Gungirl]

lol.. I was just reading this thread. I was a bit slow on my job :)


OP..
What is your humidity at right now?

[BarelyBreathing]

Sleeping in the water bowl is a sign of dehydration. I would look into your humidity levels and fix them.

[infernalis]

Hi everyone,

I decided to use that "hill" method so that there was enough substrate depth in one place so that he could burrow. Before I did this he was trying to burrow in his basking spot but being so shallow he couldn't do it. So I let him roam around in the bedroom and I created a hill where his basking spot used to be in hope that he would try to burrow again, however I woke up this morning and noticed he had slept in his water bowl again? he had previously done this before and someone mentioned he may be dehydrated because of the wood chipping substrate. When I changed to top soil and play sand he hadn't done it since except again last night. Any ideas why he's choosing to sleep in his water bowl? my substrate is top soil and sand, watered and the humidity is fine and holding well.:hmm:

All I can assume is that your Bosc is still feeling the effects of the previous setup.

I'm not sure how long (if ever) it takes for them to "heal" after an extended period of poor humidity.

[MrBosc]

Sleeping in the water bowl is a sign of dehydration. I would look into your humidity levels and fix them.
Hi barelybreathing,

As i stated in ny post my humidity levels are fine mate. This is why i am curious as to why he done it tuis time?

[MrBosc]

Could be just that infernalis, my sav was wondering about around the vivariun after i changed tue basking spot. But to sleep in the cold water is confusing, i mean fair enough the basking spot was cganged a little but there was plenty more spaces to go than in that cold water :/

[BarelyBreathing]

Just to double check, what is "fine" and what are you using to measure it? Where are you measuring your humidity?

[MrBosc]

Just to double check, what is "fine" and what are you using to measure it? Where are you measuring your humidity?
My humidity levels are stable at 67 - 70 and at night it stays around 80 - 85, its an analog exo-terra dial reptile hygrometer (could do with a digital I know) and I've never really thought about if it mattered where it was, but it's more towards the cold end.

[infernalis]

My humidity levels are stable at 67 - 70 and at night it stays around 80 - 85, its an analog exo-terra dial reptile hygrometer (could do with a digital I know) and I've never really thought about if it mattered where it was, but it's more towards the cold end.

Any of those digital weather stations sold at any mass retailer work OK.

I got mine for $10 US at a department store.

It measures air temp, surface temp (with probe) and humidity.

Just for reference, my hudity is around 70 during the day, and 90+ at night.

The humidity inside the burrows nears 100% (total air saturation)

[BarelyBreathing]

Digitals are cheap, I highly recommend you getting one and take those readings again. Analog readers are rarely accurate.

[MrBosc]

Digitals are cheap, I highly recommend you getting one and take those readings again. Analog readers are rarely accurate.
ok, what about the positioning of the hygrometer? and are the humidity levels ok? right now i is still stable on 70

[BarelyBreathing]

If those readings are correct, they're okay. I generally place my hygrometer in the cool end.

[varanus_mad]

You want two humidity guages one for a reference point even the digi ones can fail.

[infernalis]

You want two humidity guages one for a reference point even the digi ones can fail.

Bravo..... That's a very good idea.

[MrBosc]

Bravo..... That's a very good idea.
Okay, well in that case I win both ways because if I purchase a digital one my analog can be the reference and the digital should be the accurate =] just like to add after altering some interior logs and hides he's now happily staying in his log cave =] therefor could very well have been a one off due to his basking spot being moved :)

[varanus_mad]

Okay, well in that case I win both ways because if I purchase a digital one my analog can be the reference and the digital should be the accurate =] just like to add after altering some interior logs and hides he's now happily staying in his log cave =] therefor could very well have been a one off due to his basking spot being moved :)


Nope just scrap the analogue one all together there crap.

[MrBosc]

Yeah suppose I could do that I mean you can pick them up off eBay for around £5 :)

[Gregg M]

I have personally never seen a reason to use a hygrometer. Just feeling the soil and the air coming from the cage when you open it is good enough.

Besides, a hygrometer will not read what is reall important. I am worried about substrate saturation than I am air saturation.

[varanus_mad]

I have personally never seen a reason to use a hygrometer. Just feeling the soil and the air coming from the cage when you open it is good enough.

Besides, a hygrometer will not read what is reall important. I am worried about substrate saturation than I am air saturation.

I must admit i dont really use them either,

but it is something that you have to be confident with.

its recipe husbandry really... which as you know doesnt really work for varanids...

[jarich]

They're a good guide for new keepers though. Having said that, I've had as many digital hygrometers be inaccurate as analog ones over the years.

[Pirarucu]

I agree, it's good to have one on hand, but if your soil is moist and it feels like you just opened a window to the rainforest, you're good to go.