Hummid Hide

[charel]

As I went shopping with my little brother who wanted to see some rabbits, I bought some sphagnum moss.
At home I built this humid hide. At first I used way too much water, but pressed the water out later on. There's about on inch of space between the moss and the top. Is that alright?

Humid hide:


I put the big hide on top of it so she's something to climb on if she wants to. I also added a hide on the warm side identical to the smaller one because I noticed that she only hides in the smaller hide on the cold side. When I placed the things in the cage, she came out watching and exploring while excessively flicking her tongue and yawned twice. Now she's been in the humid hide for a while and I'm concerned that might be too long.

Is it ok for the snake to stay in the humid hide for a long time?
Does the tongue flicking and the yawning indicate that she's hungry? I got her exactly a week ago and she's been fed on Saturday a week before, so I planned on feeding her tonight. She didn't seem stressed at all when I placed the things in her cage, too.

Charel

[kitedemon]

I usually only use a humid hide during sheds as the moist warm space tends to grow things. The only other comment is the hole I again erring on the side of caution would cut the opening out to the side so it is a U not an O. The U shape cannot trap a snake they are strong enough and it makes a weak enough seal to pop off the top if it was to become tight. The O shape as a potential to trap the snake. I never use objects that have closed circles with my snakes for this reason they all need open U shapes openings so there is always a way out.

[charel]

I usually only use a humid hide during sheds as the moist warm space tends to grow things. The only other comment is the hole I again erring on the side of caution would cut the opening out to the side so it is a U not an O. The U shape cannot trap a snake they are strong enough and it makes a weak enough seal to pop off the top if it was to become tight. The O shape as a potential to trap the snake. I never use objects that have closed circles with my snakes for this reason they all need open U shapes openings so there is always a way out.

I pay good attention that it stays as clean as possible. Is there no risk of RI because of the increased humidity?

Considering the hole, I think that won't be a problem as she's been going in and out several times already. I've also seen a few commercial humid hides with a round opening at the top.
As for the other hides, they all have U shaped openings.

Charel

[SRMD]

it is probably best to only use the humid hide, if you can't keep the humidity up or when your ball is about to go into shed.

[kitedemon]

RI is caused by bacteria, fungi or virus. bacteria and fungus grow better in humid warm conditions generally with reduced air flow. This is why it needs to be clean. I don't worry about RH unless it is below 35% or over 70% for long I if there is shed sign I'd add a humid hide. When I was doing things this way the average RH was 40% there is no issues at 40% other than poor shedding the HH fixes that.

The hole, just remember the snake fitting isn't the issue, the rat food item isn't the issue either, but the rat in the snake is the issue. Stuck snakes often hurt them selves and become super stressed. Swallowed rats are not as flexible as the rest of the body and the snake may not be able to manipulate the stomach area the same way, after feeding.

- - - Updated - - -

I used to clean my humid hides out every two days...

[charel]

I fed her this evening for the first time since I got her. She wasn't interested at all when I put the mouse infront of her, but after some minutes she just took the hopper and swallowed it tail first. It took her a while to get it started but it was amazing to see how the muscles contract and relax and the skin looks like it's going around the mouse rather than the mouse going inside the snake. Just stunning.

I got the humid hide out before I fed her. She was looking for it after she eat and I hope she finally discovers the new hide on the warm side.

[kitedemon]

Good going on the feeding. I too have a 'breach eater' he always does and always has I actually have to feel him smaller than normal or he can't get it down. It is quite funny as sometimes he will lift if off the ground by the tail.