Hey Guys,

I bought a pinstripe ball python juvenile a little under 3 weeks ago. He's about 18" long. I'm new to snakes, but I used to raise savanah monitors when I was in my teens. I have him in a 20 gallon tank with a metal mesh locking top. So far no mites and he has eaten every time I offered food, (third feeding is tomorrow night). I have been able to maintain the temperature gradient no problem, (80 on cool side, 95 on hot side) but have been struggling with keeping the humidity at 50%. It is usually closer to 30-35%. I was misting 2-3 times per day to get up to 50, but I saw him "cough" once and backed off because I was afraid he might be developing an RI. I have aluminum foil over the center part of the mesh tank, but i am thinking part of the problem is just my cheap pet store hygrometer.

Can anybody recommend a brand and model of digital hygrometer and temperature gauge, preferably with sensors? I was also looking for a recommendation on under tank heaters. I have one now that came with the tank, but I'm sure its bottom of the barrel in terms of reliability. My goal is to get all of this as automated as possible. Also, he seems very active. He comes out every night and probes all the sections of the cage. Is this normal, or is he signaling that he is stressed?