Question about my ball

I just bought some Sphagnum moss for his tank.The humidity level is nly around 40%.Im not sure what i do with it.Do i just take some and mist it and put it under the heat lamp?I have a 20 gallon Tank,two hides cold and warm side,big water dish,heat lamp and heat pad.I use Aspen beeding for him as well.The temps are fine 91 warm side 80 cool-side.I just need to up the humidity for him.I also i have a towel covering half the lid.Im not sure what i do with the moss.I really dont have much room to put another bowl for the moss.Can i just put it on the ground near the light and mist it?

Also i added at in about 30 min ago and its not raising the humidity at all.Its damp and right under the light.I got the new Zealand sphagnum moss. by zoomed

I would bet that the heat lamp is drying things out. They really aren't necessary for ball pythons. I just use under tank heaters for mine.

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Originally Posted by wendhend

I would bet that the heat lamp is drying things out. They really aren't necessary for ball pythons. I just use under tank heaters for mine.

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when i dont use the lamp is doesn't heat the tank enough.

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Originally Posted by MissTampa

when i dont use the lamp is doesn't heat the tank enough.

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Are you measuring air temps or belly temps?

Belly temps is what you should be concerned about. What's the temp the snake is feeling. If you're using a UTH and a heat lamp, the enclosure is probably too hot. Get a temp gun and measure the bottom of the enclosure. That's the temp you should worry about.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

Are you measuring air temps or belly temps?

Belly temps is what you should be concerned about. What's the temp the snake is feeling. If you're using a UTH and a heat lamp, the enclosure is probably too hot. Get a temp gun and measure the bottom of the enclosure. That's the temp you should worry about.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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Belly temp is 91 air temp is 87 coolside 80.At first i was just using the heat pad the belly temp was fine but air was only 75.So i was thinking the heat pad wasn't heating the tank enough for him.My humidity is what im having issues with.I cant get it to above 45 even with the moss.When i spary it goes back up to 60 but within an hour or so it drops to around 45%

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Originally Posted by MissTampa

Belly temp is 91 air temp is 87 coolside 80.At first i was just using the heat pad the belly temp was fine but air was only 75.So i was thinking the heat pad wasn't heating the tank enough for him.My humidity is what im having issues with.I cant get it to above 45 even with the moss.When i spary it goes back up to 60 but within an hour or so it drops to around 45%

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I think your overhead heat lamp is drying things out too much. If you have a belly temp of 91, drop it down to 89-90. Turn off the overhead light, then check your humidity.

I know, I'm going to hear from a bunch of people, but I don't worry too much about my humidity. I soak my snakes every week and I think that's enough.

Others will tell you that humidity is as important as temps, but I don't agree. My snakes have always been healthy with no issues.

So take that for what it's worth.
Jim Smith

75 really isn't too low. That's what I keep mine at. As long as they have proper belly heat, they can thrive in cool temps. Ditch the lamp and you'll fine.

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Originally Posted by sarahlovesmiike

75 really isn't too low. That's what I keep mine at. As long as they have proper belly heat, they can thrive in cool temps. Ditch the lamp and you'll fine.

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It was 75 on the warm side with no light,I guess i will try that and see how the humidity is.

As long as the snake has a spot with belly heat at 90* it will be fine.

I agree with all of the above. :gj: I live in a very cool/temperate climate, and with 29 snakes in 4 racks, it's impossible to use heat lamps... so my ambient temps stay around 73-75, with belly heat at 90, and so far so good. As long as they have a warm enough hot-spot, I think slightly lower ambients are fine.