Maintaining Humidity

[Lissette]

I have a one year old Ball Python. I have him in a 20 gallon long glass tank with a screen lid. My breeder recommended Aspen bedding and a 75 Watt red infrared bulb for heat. I set up the tank that way, but found that I could not maintain humidity. I was at the reptile show in SC this weekend and a breeder recommended "Forest Floor" 100% cypress for substrate and to cover half of the screen lid to trap the humidity. I did that and now the humidity is fine on the cool side-between 50 to 60, but still drying out on the hot side. Should I change to a lower watt red infrared bulb and get a under tank heating pad? How do you all control humidity especially if you use newspaper as substrate?

Thanks!

[stevepoppers]

We do at least two things differently.

First, most of us keep ours in plastic tubs. They hold it so well it ceases to be a problem.

Second, we use belly heat and only use bulbs or Ceramic Heat Emitter bulbs (CHEs) when we need them, because they tend to dry out the air. Of course, bulbs aren't an option if we're in tubs.

So, yeah, switch to belly heat and get rid of the lamps if possible. It's better for ball pythons anyway. Make sure you have a thermostat.

I like Flexwatt tape because it's so much cheaper than the UTHs you find in stores. I got mine from http://www.reptilebasics.com. Get the clips ($5) and have them attach them for you (free). Then there's this thermostat which should do great if you're on a budget. Put the thermostat probe between the Flexwatt or UTH and use your digital thermometer probe (which goes right on the glass under the substrate) to set the thermostat. You want to know the hottest place the snake can get to and any heating element can/will burn your snake unregulated.

You can also cover more of the lid, but I'd really work on getting belly heat. They're just not the type of snake that works best with a lamp.