Is Bottled Water Safe for Snakes? (Explained!)

is bottled water safe for snakes

Initially, a snake seems like an oddball type of pet. Unlike felines and canines, snakes are kept in cages. While caged 24/7, domesticated snakes are lovable, loyal, and calm. Is bottled water safe for snakes?

Bottled water can be utilized in pet snake care. There is one exception to keep in mind. The pet snake’s diet consists of a variety of vitamins and minerals, which comes from their diet. Utilize only bottled spring water for pet snakes, which is packed with minerals.

Does A Snake Drink Water?

Snakes are unique when compared to other pets. While dogs and cats tend to scoop up water using their tongues, snakes do not. Still, they’ll need plenty of water to thrive in your home. While snakes receive a lot of water from the food they eat, they’ll still need to drink water.

Watching a snake drink water can be a treat since most people have never seen this. The bottom portion of the snake’s mouth is going to act as a sponge and suck up water. Once the water has been absorbed, the snake will use its muscles to push the water into its body.

When drinking water, the snake’s mouth will be airtight. The front portion of the mouth will be used like a straw. Giving your snake water offers several benefits. First, your snake will remain healthy. Second, you’ll enjoy watching the snake drink water because it is cute.

Bottling Water For Snakes

Despite the vast variety of bottled water formulas available, most people just think of water in general terms. They simply think of one form of water as being the same as the other. This probably has to do with the fact that most people don’t drink enough.

Unfortunately, not all bottled water is created equally. This is especially true when it comes to quenching your snakes thirst. What is the best type of bottled water for snakes? Is it acceptable to give them water right out of the tap? These are all questions new and recent snake owners ask.

Bottled water is typically considered any type of water intended for human, or pet consumption. It can be sealed in a bottle or other airtight containers. No ingredients are added unless safe and suitable antimicrobial agents. Fluoride is a commonly used additive for bottled water.

Bottled water comes from glaciers or mountain springs, where it is filtered naturally through various layers of porous rock.

Spring water can also come from above-ground springs and other pristine sources.

Snake Diet

As previously mentioned, pet snakes need a diet that consists of vitamins and minerals. As a carnivore, the snake feeds on live and dead prey like:

  • Earthworms
  • Rats
  • Mice
  • Birds
  • Frogs
  • Insects
  • Baby hares (rabbits)
  • Fish
  • Baby chicks

Pet snakes, on the other hand, are generally fed rats and mice. The diet can also consist of a non-traditional diet, such as raw beef, pork, chicken, and turkey.

Choosing a non-traditional diet comes with some health risks. Human raw food makes it more difficult to monitor the intake of nutrients and vitamins. In this case, it may be necessary to supplement with powdered calcium and vitamin C.

Special precautions must be taken when feeding pet snakes dead rodents. Place dead rodents in an area away from heat lamps. The heat produced by natural lighting can speed up the decomposition of meat.

Snakes And Proper Nutrition

Most people think of snakes as battle-hardened creatures that thrive in some of the harshest environments. This is true for some species. However, they are still quite fragile creatures just like many other reptiles and animals.

This is especially true for domesticated animals. Once brought in and exposed to the indoors, animals can lose a bit of their true animalistic nature. Regardless, nutrition is critical when it comes to keeping your new buddy healthy.

You might be interested in Why Is My Ball Python Blowing Bubbles In Its Water?

Vitamins Are Vital For Snakes

A big part of being a pet owner is ensuring your pet gets the proper supplements. This is even true of snakes. Snakes are particularly sensitive to vitamin D3 deficiencies while producing their own vitamin C.

Too much vitamin D can lead to an excessive level of calcium in the bones, making them more brittle. Vitamin A is another crucial fat-soluble vitamin for snakes. It’s especially good for proper scale growth, immune system activity, and optical health.

The human body can turn certain foods into vitamin A while snakes cannot. Vitamin A must be pre-formed and typically comes from prey. While snakes can make their own vitamin C in their kidneys and liver, it takes fat-soluble vitamin E to create it.

Helping A Dehydrated Snake

Unfortunately, snakes can become dehydrated. When this happens, it will begin developing wrinkled skin and cracks around the eye caps. Pinch the snake’s skin. If it doesn’t snap back, the snake might be dehydrated. It’ll also have trouble shedding its skin.

Dehydration is possible when the snake isn’t drinking enough water, you’re using distilled water, or the humidity isn’t high enough. Consider giving the snake an electrolyte bath. You’ll have to take extra steps because some snakes become stressed when bathing.

Fill a small tub with an inch or two of water and electrolytes. It should be three-quarters Pedialyte and one-quarter water. Warm the water until it is between 82 and 84 degrees. Place the snake inside the tub and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes.

When you remove the snake, clean off any residue using a damp cloth that has been soaked in warm water. If the problem isn’t resolved, you may need to repeat these steps several times.

Overall

Is bottled water safe for snakes? Ultimately, it depends on the type of water you’re using. It is best to use bottled spring water for this purpose. You must provide the reptile with everything it needs to thrive. Besides a sufficient diet, you also need to make sure that the snake has plenty of water.

Snakes can become dehydrated if they do not consume enough water. If your snake is dehydrated, be sure to give it water. You can also give it a diluted electrolyte solution. When the snake isn’t drinking, use a syringe or eyedropper to place water in the snake’s mouth.

Jennifer

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I'm Jennifer Mecham, worked for 7 years in an animal shelter in New York. I created this blog to educate people about these amazing creatures and to show them that reptiles can make great pets. Join me on this journey as we explore the world of reptiles.

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