My New Ribbon Snake! (Unidentified)

[guidofatherof5]

Wasn't in there for this photo it ruins the naturalistic look Do you recommend a large water dish for these snakes or do they do fine with a smaller bowl?

I would go with a large one. Ribbons can be very aquatic.

[NickB]

I would go with a large one. Ribbons can be very aquatic.

I'll switch some stuff around and get a nice big bowl in there

[guidofatherof5]

I'll switch some stuff around and get a nice big bowl in there

Your Ribbon will love you for that.

[NickB]

Your Ribbon will love you for that.

I hope so, it was surprisingly tame when I handled it between taking it out of it's transport box to put it into the vivarium. I was a little worried that this might be a sign of poor health however not long after I put him in the vivarium he went straight up to the highest basking point (35c, the vivarium has quite the thermal gradient) and basked there so hopefully he was just a little cold.

[NickB]

He/She has basked very close to the lighting (33-35c) since I've got him, odd this seems like a hot temperature and yet it seems his favourite place to hang out. I turn the heat off at nights. I saw it drinking condensation from the walls today! I was so happy, so cool to see and shows that he's drinking. Do these guys prefer to drink from condensation than a bowl? Or is mine just weird :P

[guidofatherof5]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.

[NickB]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.

Agreed, I'm working on it. It's not super humid in there, but I would like to reduce humidity a tad.

[guidofatherof5]

50% is a nice number

[Stefan-A]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.

With poor ventilation, it's definitely a problem.

[NickB]

Advice taken, enclosure changed. Live plants removed (to reduce humidity), large water bowl added. Now I need to get some poop from this little guy for a faecal check!