New baby settling-in time

I already knew ahead of time that new hatchlings should be allowed to just chill (figuratively speaking) and explore their new home for at least 3 days. I didn't know that meant leaving them completely alone. Ever since that escape-scare the first morning, I've taken to using a flashlight two or three times a day and looking EVERYWHERE in the viv to make sure she's still in there. So I guess I'll just extend her acclimation time to a few more days.

But I'm concerned that she's not drinking. Every time I see her, she's in the same incredibly difficult-to-see spot: curled up on a branch underneath a lush cluster of (fake) leaves. Her position changes occasionally, but I've never seen her away from that exact spot. Maybe she doesn't realize there's water in that dish since it's not the plastic deli-cup she's used to? It's a novelty dish (it looks like a bowl made of bones with a big bloody skull on the side)--maybe it smells off-putting or looks scary?

Should I go in now and change her water bowl to a plain plastic thing like Tupperware? Or should I wait until after her acclimation period (when I feed her for the first time)?

I'm just guessing that even though you happen to catch her in her favorite spot most of the time, that she is cruising around the viv at night or when it's totally quiet at home. I'd almost guarantee she has passed through the water bowl and checked it out at some point in the last few days since you have had her.

She's drinking- she's just being secretive about it! I very, very rarely see my snakes drinking. I think they do it at night. Some people say that when you put your new snake back in its viv after handling or feeding to put it in its water bowl. i do this- and have never seen one take a drink then.

Nanci

Just be sure that the water bowl is on the perimeter of the cage. They usually cruise the perimeter at night. I have occasionally noticed a dehydrated baby in a cage that had the bowl in the middle. Seems like they don't always get to the middle, but they will fall into it sooner or later if it is on the perimeter.

The only time I've seen a snake drink is when I first get them after shipping! No worries, she's prob. fine!

Eriathiel said:

The only time I've seen a snake drink is when I first get them after shipping! No worries, she's prob. fine!

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I just got a new baby too, Ive never seen her drink but I find her poop right next to the water bowl so Im assuming shes aware its there. What are you using as substrate? Shes on paper towels and its easier to determine where shes been and that she is indeed coming out at night.

Sorry that was for Thoth.

Boo used to drink every time after going back to viv from feeding tub. Basically stuck the tip of nose in water and you could see him swallowing.

kathylove said:

Just be sure that the water bowl is on the perimeter of the cage. They usually cruise the perimeter at night. I have occasionally noticed a dehydrated baby in a cage that had the bowl in the middle.

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Oooh. Thanks! I actually deliberately put her hides away from the perimeter and her water dish smack in the middle because I read somewhere that, since snakes tend to wander around the edges of the viv, they're more likely to poop in the water if it's in their way.

I know hatchlings don't like to be in the open, so when I set up her viv, I placed a huge, curvy, tripod-shaped grapevine in the middle 2/3 of the viv and spread fake plants on top so it was like a rudimentary "hut" protecting the water bowl. Her favorite spot is the apex of the hut, so I think she can actually dangle from the branch and drink without having to come all the way down.

It is always good to be conservative with a new snake - just a plain old paper towel "tunnel" for a hide and the water bowl where they can't miss it. Once the snake is really well established, feeding and digesting well, and knows where everything is, then you can start moving things around and adding "pretty" cage furniture.