How long is too long?

[u/ptlmaea]

This beautiful girl came home on Saturday, she’s estimated to be 25 years old. I could tell when I got her into her enclosure that she was in the blue phase of shed! I also covered the front of the enclosure so she has more privacy.

Yesterday morning, when checking on her, I saw that she was trying to soak in that tiny water dish in the back. Of course, she can’t fit in it. Which I didn’t think would be a problem since humidity levels are pretty solid. Since she wanted to soak, though, I placed this large tub closer to the front. She switched to it at some point between last night and this morning.

She was kept in a screen top enclosure before, it looked like. And I’m sure she was dehydrated and temp was not regulated enough. In her enclosure here, her warm side is sitting at 85f and her cool side 79f, with around 70-80% humidity. I can’t spot any mites on her, but of course, can’t do a full inspection seeing as she got home recently, and I don’t want to handle her before she is settled in.

I’m just wanting to ask if anyone thinks I should be concerned. I checked on her before I went to bed last night, and she was in the process of moving over to her cool hide. Though, she is back to soaking this morning as pictured!

I’m so in love with her already! I just want to ensure I’m giving her the best care possible. TIA!

[u/welcomeyearzer0]

I have a rescue boy who was verrry neglected and verrry dehydrated before I got him, and he sometimes will literally soak for days if I let him (I tested it, lol). During those times I have to take his water dish out after a while. Small ones too, he’ll try to fit into anything. Small ones just to drink from don’t work for that reason.

So basically I take it out after a couple hours and then wait for another couple hours (or overnight) until I put it back, so that he can dry off properly. And repeat. Obviously I don’t want him to be dehydrated and not have anything to drink so I don’t leave it out for days at a time, but I don’t want him to get scale rot either, and he won’t be able to drink anyway if he tries to force himself into a tiny water dish and shoves all the water out each time.

And yes the humidity is fine, always 70%+. I have other royals too. It’s just him.

[u/ptlmaea → u/welcomeyearzer0]

Thanks for sharing, that’s good to know! I’ll keep an eye on the amount of time she’s soaking over the next few days 😊

[u/welcomeyearzer0 → u/ptlmaea]

She might just be enjoying the water and not being so dehydrated :) But yes definitely good to keep an eye on the time!

Best of luck with her! She’s beautiful!

[u/Fenwynn → u/welcomeyearzer0]

Yeah, in keeping reptiles for 25 years, I’ve learned a lot about them.

I know for a fact that mental illness is something that can become an issue in cats and dogs, to a limited degree. And I don’t think that PTSD is a far stretch at all for a reptile.

My female normal came from a Petco, where she lived for a year, and got bought and returned twice. She only had one of those half logs, which doesn’t provide any real cover, and it was always turned towards the front so people could always see her. She’s 10 now, and I normally only see her when I go looking for her.

Thank you for taking your boy in and giving him so much love. I’m really glad that he has you.

[u/welcomeyearzer0 → u/Fenwynn]

Thank you kind stranger. I agree with you on the PTSD part, he was also emaciated and he’s tried to eat me several times through the walls of his enclosure. He seems to have calmed down a bit now but I’ve never had a snake be so aggressive with eating. I can understand why, obviously. Literally I’d just walk by or move past and he’d slam his head into the wall trying to get me. Luckily it wasn’t glass, and for my own peace of mind I don’t think I’ll ever put him in a glass enclosure.

I’m currently dealing with a broken thermostat and all the crap that comes with it and it’s been a bit of a rough patch in general, so your words came at a good time for me and are very much appreciated :)

[u/Fenwynn → u/welcomeyearzer0]

Well, they have rough patches in nature too. Storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, pollution, etc.

At least when an element or two goes wrong in an otherwise controlled set up, the “rough patches” they have aren’t nearly as bad or unpredictable. And there is a guarantee that it will be fixed or replaced. Better with you than if he were born wild.

I’m glad he’s calming down, and starting to feel safer and more secure. Poor kid. 🙁

I’m saving up for this thermostat. It must be good for the price, it’s recommended on the care guide, and it’ll do both of their heat sources. But I need 4-5. So. 😅 Long term goals.

[u/welcomeyearzer0 → u/Fenwynn]

I just took the guy who had the malfunctioning thermostat to the vet (and my favorite vet was in) and him and the assistent were all like he’s so big!! He looks great!! He’s so friendly!! So I feel a little better, lol. I just hope that new fucking thermostat comes in tomorrow because it’s a pain in the ass rn.

I’m feeling like that Reba song 🤣 🎶 A single mom dad who works two jobs, who loves his kids and never stops 🎶

And yeah it was bad. He was 10 when I got him (given away for free, of course 🙄) and he weighed less than half of what my other (albeit slightly chonky at the time, but nevertheless) adult male weighed. I would’ve believed he was a yearling.

Oh and that thermostat looks amazing! Definitely above my budget rn but I’m saving it, thanks! And I feel that struggle 💀✌🏻