Problems with humidity in tank

[maggieehunt]

Hey, I just got my baby ball python two weeks ago, and its time for him to shed! He hasnt shed in a few days even though pieces are coming off of him in chunks. I know the problem is my humidity, and I was wondering if you guys had any advice for me to keep it at a steady rate! I just bought one of the thermometers and humidity things in one but I also have another thermostat for the warm side of his tank.

I think what my problem is is that I live in the mountains and it can be fairly cold and dry outside. With the heat bulbs and under the cage pad on the tank stays at around 90 or the warm side and 78 on the cool side. But my problem is humidity. Ill spray the tank multiple time and I can get the humidity up to seventy, but it drops so quickly that it goes right back to 35 in about 10 minutes. He isn't shedding and im starting to worry. I read the forum on a bad shed and how to deal with it so im going to do that tonight, but i want to see if there is any thing I could do about the humidity in the long run.

My dad was thinking about just getting a normal humidifier for my room and that could help but I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions! Thank you!

[The Serpent Merchant]

What substrate are you using?

If you get a humidifier, get a warm mist humidifier. They require less maintenance and are more hygienic.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Check this out... http://ball-pythons.net/forums/entry...e-using-a-tank!

[maggieehunt]

thanks so much both of these helped!! I'm using Aspen as the substrate. I'm definitely going to look into those ways of increasing temp and humidity!

[The Serpent Merchant]

thanks so much both of these helped!! I'm using Aspen as the substrate. I'm definitely going to look into those ways of increasing temp and humidity!

Aspen isn't great for humidity. I would suggest switching to Eco-Earth or cypress mulch.

[Darkbird]

If your using a screen top, cover everywhere but where the lights go through with something. Airflow is your enemy when trying to maintain temps and humidity. You can use tinfoil, plastic wrap, even cardboard, and just tape it in place. you may even find that you can use lower wattage bulbs because you heat isn't leaving so fast. And lower wattage bulbs won't burn up the moisture as fast either.

[NH93]

Ouuu, and also a shed hide!
I have a humidifier in my ball python's room, but it doesn't always do the trick on those really dry days. I also have a mesh lid that I am nervous to put anything on, because of the heat lamp and it being a fire hazard.

All you need for a shed box is a container and some sphagnum moss! There are instructions on the moss that you get from pet stores on how to properly hydrate it. It is quite inexpensive, and you really needn't use much.
I use a clean margarine container, cut a hole in the lid big enough for my BP (if you have a larger BP you may need to improvise on the container) and sand down the rough edge. I then put the damp moss inside, and VOILA shed hide. He uses it when he's going into shed every time

[Dev_DeCoste]

So basically you only put a little bit of moss in the hide and the BP just sits on top of it inside of the hide? Do you usually keep it on the warm or cooler side of the tank? Right now my tank is pretty cramped as it is

Also, is it okay to just put a small container of moss in the tank open, not as a hide? I don't have much room for another hide so I want to just put a cup of moss on top of his cool hide. Will this be okay?

[Dev_DeCoste]

Sooo I tried creating a shed hide... How's this look?







The only place I could fit it in the tank... Its on the "cool" side



Think this will work/help? Thanks!

[Darkbird]

There isn't a fire hazard if you use tinfoil, being that tinfoil doesn't burn well.

Dev, that moist hide will work fine if your snake will use it. It may not due to it being translucent, remember that they prefer dark hides, or you may meed to move it to the warm side. Best thing is to cut down on the airflow so you can maintain a stable humidity all the time. I am of course operating on the assumtion your using a screen top from the petstore, since I couldn't see the whole tank in your picture. Tanks and screen tops make a good start for an enclosure, but they require some extra work to truly make them suitable for reptiles.