new ball python help

[cheaversg]

Hi Im a new ball python owner. I got mine like 5 days ago.
When I got my snake the humidity in the tank was ok a little low at 40%.
After 2 days of having it I had to move it to a different location in the house where the tank is not as warm.
So to combat this i used heating lamps. the problem with this is the humidity is gone down to 10% and i can not keep it up.
So I tried moistening the bedding a little misting and some splashing water into the tank when i would take her out. I
t seemed to work for a little but it would dry out easily.
So the problem is is that she feels dry i think she might be about to shed soon since she is getting darker.
so how should i raise the temperature in the tank without lowering the humidity.

My last problem is she has a red scale kinda thing going on its only one scale the reason.
Im concerned is cause 1 i dont want it to be scale rot obviously and 2 how did it acquire it.
It hasn't defecated in my tank yet the tank is clean please help.

[satomi325]

There are a few things you can try:

Substrate:
-Cypress Mulch
- Coco Husk
Both of these retain humidity really well

Tank screen:
- Cover 80-90% of the lid with tin foil, damp towel, or plexiglass.

Inside the tank:
- Use a larger water dish (surface area = water evaporation)
- Move the water dish to the hot side of the tank
- Good old fashion misting with a spray bottle
-Use a humid hide if everything else fails. (Get a plastic tupperware and put some damp moss or paper towel inside. Cut a little hole in the lid so the snake can go in and out as it wants. The humid hide provides a 'humid spot' rather than trying to make the entire tank humid.



Heat lamps suck up humidity like a sponge. So if possible, I would try getting the belly and ambient temps up so you don't have to use a lamp.


The red scale could be really minor scale rot. Don't worry too much about it if your husbandry is good. It will go away with the next shed or two.
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[Grim8899]

I advise against covering majority of the tank with foil,foil will reflect heat and make the tank even hotter,I tried it,don't advise it... Cover the screen with wett rags. Take about 3 rags and soak the crap out of them then ring them out a bit and place them on top of my screen,covering about 80% of the screen. usually after a day and a half I have to re soak the rags. The inky time I mist is when there in shed. Also I keep my heat bulbs on the hot side and water bowl( large ) middle of tank,a little off center actually towards the hot side

[Grim8899]

This is is the top of two of my 5 BP enclosures.

[Grim8899]

I had my black lights on and bedroom lights off,that's why they were out,but turned on the lights so you can get a good view