Question about my ball

[MissTampa]

I just bought some Sphagnum moss for his tank.The humidity level is nly around 40%.Im not sure what i do with it.Do i just take some and mist it and put it under the heat lamp?I have a 20 gallon Tank,two hides cold and warm side,big water dish,heat lamp and heat pad.I use Aspen beeding for him as well.The temps are fine 91 warm side 80 cool-side.I just need to up the humidity for him.I also i have a towel covering half the lid.Im not sure what i do with the moss.I really dont have much room to put another bowl for the moss.Can i just put it on the ground near the light and mist it?

Also i added at in about 30 min ago and its not raising the humidity at all.Its damp and right under the light.I got the new Zealand sphagnum moss. by zoomed

[wendhend]

I would bet that the heat lamp is drying things out. They really aren't necessary for ball pythons. I just use under tank heaters for mine.

[MissTampa]

I would bet that the heat lamp is drying things out. They really aren't necessary for ball pythons. I just use under tank heaters for mine.

when i dont use the lamp is doesn't heat the tank enough.

[j_h_smith]

when i dont use the lamp is doesn't heat the tank enough.

Are you measuring air temps or belly temps?

Belly temps is what you should be concerned about. What's the temp the snake is feeling. If you're using a UTH and a heat lamp, the enclosure is probably too hot. Get a temp gun and measure the bottom of the enclosure. That's the temp you should worry about.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[MissTampa]

Are you measuring air temps or belly temps?

Belly temps is what you should be concerned about. What's the temp the snake is feeling. If you're using a UTH and a heat lamp, the enclosure is probably too hot. Get a temp gun and measure the bottom of the enclosure. That's the temp you should worry about.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

Belly temp is 91 air temp is 87 coolside 80.At first i was just using the heat pad the belly temp was fine but air was only 75.So i was thinking the heat pad wasn't heating the tank enough for him.My humidity is what im having issues with.I cant get it to above 45 even with the moss.When i spary it goes back up to 60 but within an hour or so it drops to around 45%

[j_h_smith]

Belly temp is 91 air temp is 87 coolside 80.At first i was just using the heat pad the belly temp was fine but air was only 75.So i was thinking the heat pad wasn't heating the tank enough for him.My humidity is what im having issues with.I cant get it to above 45 even with the moss.When i spary it goes back up to 60 but within an hour or so it drops to around 45%

I think your overhead heat lamp is drying things out too much. If you have a belly temp of 91, drop it down to 89-90. Turn off the overhead light, then check your humidity.

I know, I'm going to hear from a bunch of people, but I don't worry too much about my humidity. I soak my snakes every week and I think that's enough.

Others will tell you that humidity is as important as temps, but I don't agree. My snakes have always been healthy with no issues.

So take that for what it's worth.
Jim Smith

[sarahlovesmiike]

75 really isn't too low. That's what I keep mine at. As long as they have proper belly heat, they can thrive in cool temps. Ditch the lamp and you'll fine.

[MissTampa]

75 really isn't too low. That's what I keep mine at. As long as they have proper belly heat, they can thrive in cool temps. Ditch the lamp and you'll fine.

It was 75 on the warm side with no light,I guess i will try that and see how the humidity is.

[sarahlovesmiike]

As long as the snake has a spot with belly heat at 90* it will be fine.

[Lolo76]

I agree with all of the above. I live in a very cool/temperate climate, and with 29 snakes in 4 racks, it's impossible to use heat lamps... so my ambient temps stay around 73-75, with belly heat at 90, and so far so good. As long as they have a warm enough hot-spot, I think slightly lower ambients are fine.