Gila monsters pooping in water bowls, especially freshly cleaned and filled ones, is a tale as old as time. When you walk into the room you know immediately what happened and it’s maddening! At least it was until I changed my perspective on this crappy situation💩.
Ever notice that your Gila will often wait until the freshest, cleanest water is offered before a life-altering bowel movement is made? Yep, I have too! Makes you crazy, but this should actually be viewed as a good thing. Over the years I have come to appreciate this twisted ritual as a way of ensuring my Gilas are eating, and defecating, in a healthy way. Gilas can and will hold their poop in for long periods of time which is likely a survival technique to retain moisture in periods of drought, and though I have not has any issues with impaction it could be supposed that little water or a lack of water could lead to this over time. Therefore, is the poopy soup water bowl really a bad thing?
It should go without saying that bowls should be checked daily and changed straight away when the water has been soiled. Gilas can and will bath in their filth if given the opportunity, which will not lead to anything good. Clean water offered daily is truly essential in keeping your Gilas healthy and regular. Take a different perspective on that stinky water bowl next time you put it in, and the task of cleaning it will not be so bad (though good vibes does nothing for that smell)!
Goatsby's Place 