dehydrated????

[chaps76]

Not that I have a problem with it, but just for future reference, how do you tell if your snakes dehydrated..... Is it true that juvies and youngens usually get most of their hydration from their food??? As iv`e never caught mine drinking Im just curios to see wether this is true... Any info would be awsome...

[Dutchy]

I don't have any experience with the subject either , but usually shedding problems and refusing to eat might be indicators IMO.
Hopefully someone can give ya a better answer than i can , i'd surely wanna know the answer as well ^__^

[chaps76]

I realise that this problem has been asked a hundred times< sorry if ive annoyed anyone

[Dutchy]

Better to ask one time to many than to never ask at all mate IMO atleast.

[chaps76]

Thanks dutchy thats what i thought , just hope i dont get sleyed for not using the search option. I know it gets up a few peoples noses here... :roll:

[Dutchy]

Well , did ya use the search option ????

i never did sofar , but then again, i just started on this forum too

[chaps76]

Well then I guess that because we are both newish to the site they`ll be gentle on the sleying?????hopefully?????

[Dutchy]

Hahaha, i sure hope so

But i can take feedback very well ( even critical feedback )
IMO we're all here to learn eh ?

[zen]

Is it true that juvies and youngens usually get most of their hydration from their food??? As iv`e never caught mine drinking Im just curios to see wether this is true... Any info would be awsome...

The question is a bit general but from my experience snakes love a good drink of pure clean water regularly.
You may not see it, but as a rule they drink, so always have fresh water available.
I've noticed that particularly after a feed they'll have a big suck.

[chaps76]

Thaks zen, I do always have fresh water in Merves enclosure but ive had him now for about 6mnths and have never seen him have a drink????

[Wrasse]

The easiest visible indictors would be, lack of urates in the bedding, constipation, shedding problems (as Dutchy mentioned), and the fork of the tongue sticking together.

Some snakes, particularly those from more arid areas, can get most of their hydration from their food source. When water is available though, they will readily drink. chaps76, yours will be drinking, and likely quite often, but snakes are often shy and drinking is a vulnerable pastime (you can't watch for danger or tongue flick to smell it when drinking), you just won't be awake/around when it sneaks it's drinks in.

You have a closet drinker.

[zen]

It's quite interesting to watch actually.
They put their snout slightly below the water level and suck the water up. If you look closely, you can see the back of their jaw pump or "chew" the water up.

[chaps76]

Thanks heaps peoples, and i guess your right Wrasse i have a closet drinker. Just thought it a bit weird that in 6mnths ive never seen it????

[Wrasse]

If you really want to see Merve drink, take the water out for a few days, it won't hurt him, then replace it and watch from a sneaky position.

I have a little maccie here that even though she has water in her enclosure, she still drinks from a cup when I offer it. She is so sweet.

[Dutchy]

I also noticed that alot of snakes take a drink right after they got a feed. Atleast that's what happens with my snakes.
And they're not as squeemish about sharing drinktime with me either ^__^