Snakes going in their water bowl is a common behavior that many snake owners observe. While it may seem peculiar to us, there are several good reasons why snakes soak themselves in their water dish. In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons why snakes submerge themselves in water and what it means about their health and habitat.
Thermoregulation
One of the main reasons snakes go in their water bowl is to regulate their body temperature. As reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded animals that rely on external heat sources to control their internal temperature. Snakes don’t have the ability to generate their own body heat like mammals and birds.
Soaking in water helps snakes either warm up or cool down to their preferred body temperature range. The water conducts heat away from or toward the snake’s body much faster than just basking on a surface. This allows the snake to efficiently thermoregulate as needed.
Some specific examples of thermoregulation include:
- Warming up – If a snake is too cold, it may submerge in a warm water bowl to raise its body temperature.
- Cooling down – If a snake is overheated, it may soak in a cool water dish to dissipate heat and lower its temperature.
- Aid digestion – Sitting in warm water can help snakes raise their body temperature to optimally digest a meal after eating.
Maintaining proper body temperature is critical for a snake’s metabolism, immune system, and overall health. Access to water for thermoregulation is an important consideration for snake owners when setting up enclosures.
Hydration
In addition to regulating body temperature, soaking in water bowls allows snakes to absorb water directly through their skin and cloacal vent. This helps them maintain proper hydration levels.
Snakes do not gain much hydration from their food sources alone. They have fairly slow metabolisms, so they don’t generate metabolic water as quickly as mammals. Snakes also lack sweat glands and do not pant to evaporatively cool themselves like other animals. This makes cutaneous drinking an important hydration route for them.
Sitting in a water bowl provides a large surface area for snakes to absorb water efficiently. Well-hydrated snakes will have better skin quality and muscle mass, as well as healthy organ function.
Shedding
Another reason pet snakes may spend more time soaking in their water bowl is that they are preparing to shed their skin. The soaking helps loosen and separate the old outer layer of skin from the new layer forming underneath.
Shedding is a complex physiological process for snakes. Their skin is attached very tightly to their underlying scales and muscle. The old skin needs to be adequately hydrated and lubricated to allow the snake to rub against objects and successfully shed in one intact piece.
Snakes will often soak themselves repeatedly in the days leading up to a shed. This allows much of the new skin to fully separate before the actual shedding occurs. Well-hydrated skin that is ready to shed will look dull and cloudy in appearance.
Stress Relief
Interestingly, some snakes also seem to enjoy soaking in their water bowl for stress relief and relaxation. Just like taking a bath for humans, sitting in water may provide snakes with a soothing, calming effect.
Snakes have very basic emotions compared to humans and other mammals. However, they can exhibit reactions indicating fear, anxiety, and nervous system arousal. Soaking may help lower these reactions in snakes that feel threatened or become easily stressed in captivity.
Providing ample opportunities for stress relief is an important consideration for habitat enrichment and snake well-being in captivity. A water bowl large enough for the snake to curl up and soak its whole body can give the snake a calming retreat if needed.
Brumation
Some species of snakes such as garter snakes and rat snakes exhibit a winter dormancy period called brumation. This is similar to hibernation in mammals.
Brumation helps snakes conserve energy and survive reduced food availability and frigid temperatures during the winter. When preparing for brumation, snakes will often soak for extended periods to stay hydrated before settling into a resting state.
Access to water is still important even during brumation. Snakes will occasionally drink during their dormancy. Proper hydration helps their bodies stay functioning at reduced metabolic rates until normal activity resumes in the spring.
Vulnerability
While soaking has many benefits, it does leave snakes in a vulnerable position. In the wild, snakes will remain hidden and vigilant to avoid exposing themselves to predators while water-bathing. But pet snakes may let their guard down.
As a pet owner, check that your snake has a securely fastened water bowl that can’t tip over. Supervise bathing time to make sure your snake can get in and out easily without getting stuck or lost underwater. And never handle or disturb a soaking snake – this can provoke aggressive biting defensively.
Signs of Problems
Most of the time, soaking in a water bowl is completely normal snake behavior. But excessive soaking may be a sign of underlying health issues for pet snakes.
Potential problems associated with over-soaking include:
- Shedding difficulties – A snake spending hours in its water bowl day after day may indicate it is having trouble shedding its skin.
- Dehydration – Frequent long soaks can paradoxically signal dehydration if the snake can’t properly absorb water through its skin.
- Respiratory infections – Labored breathing or mucus in the mouth may cause a snake to soak trying to relieve respiratory congestion.
- Thermoregulation issues – Snakes trying to drastically lower or raise their temperature due to illness may over-soak.
Skin redness, blistering, wheezing, and appetite changes are other symptoms to watch for in overly water-bathing snakes. Seek veterinary advice if abnormal soaking behavior persists beyond a few days.
When to Soak Your Snake
As a responsible snake owner, providing a suitably sized water bowl for soaking is essential. But you can also give your pet some supervised soak time outside its enclosure.
Recommended situations to soak your snake include:
- After a meal – A short soak can aid digestion and help food pass through the digestive tract.
- Shed cycle – Frequent soaking leading up to a shed helps loosen the old skin.
- Constipation – Warm water can provide relief for mildsnake constipation if they are having trouble passing urates.
- Overheating – A soak in tepid water can bring down elevated body temperature.
- Mites – If treating snake mites, a diluted betadine soak may help eliminate mites on the skin.
Aim for 10-20 minutes of supervised soaking two to three times a week as needed. Avoid cold water, which can shock a snake’s system. Gently pat dry after soaking and return to the enclosure to bask and fully dry off.
Providing Proper Access
When it comes to soaking, bigger is better for a snake’s main water source. The bowl should be large enough for the snake to fit its entire body into if desired. Deep plastic or ceramic reptile bowls work well.
For large snake species, consider providing both a large soaking tub and a smaller drinking bowl. Position the water bowls near the basking area to double as both hydration and a thermoregulation source.
Keep water bowls very clean and refresh the water regularly, as contaminants can cause skin infections. Avoid distilled water, which lacks the minerals and electrolytes snakes need to absorb through their skin while soaking.
Takeaways
In summary, snakes have several great reasons for seeking out a nice dip in their water bowls. As a pet owner, soaking behavior is often completely normal and healthy if lasting for reasonable periods.
Provide ample access to clean, adequately sized water containers. Monitor for any signs of excessive soaking, which could indicate medical issues needing attention. With proper husbandry, regular water baths can be soothing and beneficial for your snake.
Reason | Purpose |
---|---|
Thermoregulation | Regulate body temperature |
Hydration | Absorb water through skin |
Shedding | Loosen and separate old skin |
Stress Relief | Provides calming effect |
Brumation Preparation | Stay hydrated before dormancy |
As cold-blooded reptiles, snakes rely on water baths for many important functions. Proper access to soaking opportunities is vital for maintaining snake health and wellness.
FAQs
Why do snakes coil up in their water bowls?
It is common to see snakes coiled up in a tight ball while in their water bowls. This serves several purposes:
- Holds heat in – Coiling helps snakes retain heat in the water for thermoregulation.
- Feels secure – The coiled position may make snakes feel more secure while vulnerable soaking.
- Fits in small spaces – Allows large snakes to soak in smaller bowls when necessary.
Do snakes poop in their water bowl?
No, snakes try to avoid soiling their soaking and drinking water. But urates, the white chalky component of snake feces, can sometimes accidentally be passed into the water. Another reason to provide fresh clean water daily.
How long can snakes stay underwater?
Snakes typically only voluntarily soak underwater for short periods of up to 20-30 minutes. Their bodies are designed to hold their breath for up to several hours if needed though. As air-breathing reptiles, they do need to surface periodically to breathe.
Do snakes drink the water they soak in?
Sometimes snakes will drink a bit of their bath water while soaking, but they don’t intentionally try to drink large amounts. The soaking water has more value for hydrating through their skin rather than being consumed directly.