Hello All,

I am a first time reptile mom. I adopted a 7-8 year old ball python three weeks ago, and it appears that he is nearing his first shed while in my care (his belly is starting to pink and his colors are starting to dull), and any advice you more experienced snake owners may have would be much appreciated. Specifically, is there a brand of hygrometer you would recommend? I am having difficulty finding hygrometers with consistently positive reviews. And should I provide my snake with a larger water bowl during this time? He is approximately 4 ft long and his current stone dish is not large enough for him to fit his entire body in. I ask because I watched yesterday as he methodically crawled through the bowl in order to wet himself all over. I am changing his water regularly as I have read that access to clean water is very important during shedding.

I have noticed that y'all like to know as much as possible about the snake's environment before answering questions like this, so here goes. His enclosure is 4 feet long, 2.5 feet deep, and 2.5 feet tall. It is triangular prism shaped with an opaque top and sides with screen windows and a sliding glass door front. The right side is heated by a built in heating mat; the left side is cool. I use the mulch-like substrate that was recommended to me by the mom & pop shop reptile/fish store from which I purchased him (quite reputable, not a traditional pet store). He has one log hide, though I am strongly considering purchasing him a second one, one large stone water bowl, and a large tree branch that he enjoys climbing. I feed him one large rat every two weeks, but am about to upgrade him to jumbo rats because he is eating the larges very quickly and I have noticed some roaming behavior that may be indicative of hunger. I have a good sense of temperature from years of fish tank care, but am very uncomfortable guestimating humdity (hence the desire for a reliable hygrometer).

He appears to be a happy, healthy snake. Spends most of his time hiding, but likes to roam and climb from the hours of 9-11 pm. I handle him fairly often because he is such a good eater and is always curiously sniffing when I carry him through the house, but, of course, I am not handling him now as he appears to be preparing to shed.

Thank you kindly in advance for your advice,
Sarah