snake scared of water!!!!

[tropic]

how many of you have snakes that are scared of the water my boa is if i put her in the bath with even a inch of luke warm water she clings to the side till she grabs me then soaks me ...ive even tried getting in with her ive no chance if she had problems with the loo...and before anyone says anything it isnt a bad experence ive had her from being about 8 weeks old how can i get her to injoy the water instead of panicing

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[bleeding_sarcasm]

you can start by not putting her in water? I would suggest providing a water dish big enough for her to fully submerge herself in, sometimes a small sterylite tub will work if your snake is big enough.

the water may be too hot, or too cold, or just not what she wants. so i wouldnt force her to soak. If you maintain proper humidity levels for her in the cage, there isnt really any reason why you would need to give her a bath.

I hope this helps.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[X-Factor]

Tamara is absolutely right...

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[New_BP_Guy]

when my snake is out and I am misting it freaks out if it gets water on its face...

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[tropic]

i will try that thanks but i need a big dish shes over 6 foot ...i use a litter tray at the moment but even thats to small...lol...

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[X-Factor]

New_BP_Guy, what are you using for a cage? what are your temps/humidity?

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[New_BP_Guy]

Originally Posted by X-Factor

New_BP_Guy, what are you using for a cage? what are your temps/humidity?

Right now he is in a 10gal but I will be getting him a 40gal next week, the humidity is 55-60% cool side is 78 and the hot side is 85

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[X-Factor]

and how big is he?

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[New_BP_Guy]

he is about 18"s

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[Hartsock]

Originally Posted by tropic

how many of you have snakes that are scared of the water my boa is if i put her in the bath with even a inch of luke warm water she clings to the side till she grabs me then soaks me ...ive even tried getting in with her ive no chance if she had problems with the loo...and before anyone says anything it isnt a bad experence ive had her from being about 8 weeks old how can i get her to injoy the water instead of panicing

Prehaps if you get in the bath with her it might help.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[X-Factor]

A few things:

1. A 40gal is WAY too big for him
2. humidity is a LITTLE low

If I were you I would switch to sterilite tubs. my bp is almost 2' and she is in a 27qt tub, which is just less than 7gal. BPs in general like smaller living spaces. plus with sterilite keeping good heat and humidity levels are a BREEZE, no misting required which is a MAJOR problem with aquariums. Cheap to buy and cheap to set up too. no heat lamps. just good ambient room temp (which i accomplish with a ceramic space heater) and a single warm side UTH on a thermostat. VERY easy to clean and good on space.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Under Tank Heater Under Tank Heater

[Adrya]

Bath tub bottoms are slippery unless you have a traction pad in there.... so a snake isn't going to feel comfortable being put on a smooth surface, let alone a smooth surface with water. The snake will feel insecure on such a surface.

I personally don't soak any of my snakes unless they've got retained shed, or they got poop all over them... or unless they need some help to poop. What I usually do is place the snake in a container with a rough bottom, THEN slowly add the lukewarm water.

What are the dimensions of the 40gal tank you're getting? Is it 36"x18x17 or something like that? One of those 40gal breeder tanks with a sliding screen top? That would be okay for your boa, as long as there is plenty of greenery and hides for him to feel secure. My ball python was a little bigger than 18" when I put him in a 40gal and he did fine with just two hides and plenty of greenery, and branches to climb on.

Hope that helps.

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[X-Factor]

What kind of container has a "rough bottom" Adrya? I know what you are saying but i have no idea WHAT it is.

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[Adrya]

Also you can take care of humidity if your enclosure has a screen top, to cover the majority of it with plexiglass or plywood, but just cut a hole for the lamp... you can also get automatic misting system that would spray, say, every 30 minutes or so, and that would take care of the humidity.

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[Adrya]

Some tubs have recessed sections in the bottom of them.... I also use empty spring green salad containers, they have recessed bumps all over the bottom of them. I'm currently using one right now to soak my boa Pepper and she's just chillin.

Also if you have a container with a smooth bottom you can buy rubber mats with texture and just cut them to size... like rubber mats with suction cups on the bottom... or you can use a couple rocks to hold it down if it floats.

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[X-Factor]

Aquariums are great for viewing, but I have had so many problems getting the husbandry correct (and never did really) that I switched. BP seems much happier now.

[X-Factor]

Originally Posted by Adrya_Webb

Some tubs have recessed sections in the bottom of them.... I also use empty spring green salad containers, they have recessed bumps all over the bottom of them. I'm currently using one right now to soak my boa Pepper and she's just chillin.

Also if you have a container with a smooth bottom you can buy rubber mats with texture and just cut them to size.

Good suggestion. Thanks.

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[New_BP_Guy]

I have aluminum foil on 3/4 of the screen and I maybe have to mist 1 or 2 times a day to keep it at 60%...

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[X-Factor]

I'm telling you, switch to sterilite tubs, your humidity problems will disappear...

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[New_BP_Guy]

but I am not having any problems, I have read to keep it at 60% which is what I am doing as they naturally live in an airid environment.

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