Does high Humidity lead to RI?

So i was under the impression that too high humidity could lead to RI,until a few days ago i read to high humidity does not lead to RI,it actually helps a ball python with RI get rid of it, and i read that they will do fine even if the humidity is fairly high like around 80 or so. Is this true? If so please explain. I thought they need it to be dry during the time of RI? I am not a vet or expert so i really don't understand i would like if someone could explain this to me. Oh and my ball does not have any issues i am just wondering.

High humidity will NOT cause an RI unless the humidity is so high that it causes enough condensation to cool down the enclosure. The biggest causes of RI are TOO LOW humidity and too low temperatures. It´s true that in nature the humidity in their habitat can get up super high, so you shouldn´t worry about high humidity. Numbers aren´t that significant as long as they aren´t below 50. The humidity helps a snake with RI because it helps to loosen and release the mucous buildup.

It is an interesting question I have read a few articles on that exact issue. The conclusion was that high humidity alone does not but when combined with poor air circulation does cause RI and possible a handful of other issues to boot. I always take in to account how air will move and try to avoid 'dead' spots.

ref. Barker D., and T. Barker. 2006. Pythons of the World, Volume II Ball Pythons: The History, Natural History, Care and Breeding. VPI Library.

Thanks for the help guys.

Anyone else has more useful knowledge to add on this matter?

Its like this.... I have a room dedicated to my snakes. This way I can control the temp in that room for them because it is so detrimental in there health, breeding, etc...

I do this by having a space heater that makes the ambient temp around 81-82 degrees in the room. I also spray and mix my substrate (Cypress Mulch) in my tubs every evening before lights out. Plus by doing this it lets me get a chance to look and observe my snakes. I also believe 100% this gets them acclimated and use to me and takes away any fear or nervous behavior they may have for me at first.

Why do I believe this? Because they will come out of there hides and slither right up to my hands almost like they want to be pet or stroked. It takes awhile (couple months) for this behavior but they all now do this. Well except for my Super Pastel as she is still adjusting to me but she has gotten sooooo much better. She no longer hisses. She just watches me out of her hide, but she does come half way out now:gj:

Anyways back on track. If you can dedicate a room to your snakes, thats the best thing you can do and you should never expeirence any kind of RI or any other sickness for that matter that could be caused by poor husbandry.

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Originally Posted by Monster Dodge

Its like this.... I have a room dedicated to my snakes. This way I can control the temp in that room for them because it is so detrimental in there health, breeding, etc...

I do this by having a space heater that makes the ambient temp around 81-82 degrees in the room. I also spray and mix my substrate (Cypress Mulch) in my tubs every evening before lights out. Plus by doing this it lets me get a chance to look and observe my snakes. I also believe 100% this gets them acclimated and use to me and takes away any fear or nervous behavior they may have for me at first.

Why do I believe this? Because they will come out of there hides and slither right up to my hands almost like they want to be pet or stroked. It takes awhile (couple months) for this behavior but they all now do this. Well except for my Super Pastel as she is still adjusting to me but she has gotten sooooo much better. She no longer hisses. She just watches me out of her hide, but she does come half way out now:gj:

Anyways back on track. If you can dedicate a room to your snakes, thats the best thing you can do and you should never expeirence any kind of RI or any other sickness for that matter that could be caused by poor husbandry.

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Couldn't agree more. Most of my royals which have been with me for most of their life look like they want to come out for handling.

As for RI the post on up a bit said that low temps along with other factors.

Strange how you hear different things as I was told RI had nothing to do with temps.


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Originally Posted by Mike10205

Couldn't agree more. Most of my royals which have been with me for most of their life look like they want to come out for handling.

As for RI the post on up a bit said that low temps along with other factors.

Strange how you hear different things as I was told RI had nothing to do with temps.


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From what I understand, low temperatures added with low humidity kind of act like how low temperatures make it easier for a human to catch a cold; the "threat" is already there (the low humidity in the snakes, the cold bug in the humans) and the low temperature just breaks down the defenses a little more and will kind of speed things along.

Low humidity might be a factor in RI but I have never read that it was. Low temps for sure and high humidly with poor air flow for sure. RI is a bacterial infection, bacteria grow really will in warm humid environments. Stagnant air increases the speed of growth and in extreme cases can add stress to the animal, which depresses the immune system.

Think about how often people get sick after flying, lower oxygen, cool temps and exposure to bacteria, add stress and you get sick on your vacation.

I generally think very little thought is given to air flow it is as important as humidity. I live it a very dry house (8% today) so humidity is a big issue and I have to adjust it constantly. Mine are often at the lower end of the acceptable range at 45-55% I get good sheds most of the time sometimes I get the dread 2 piece and 3 piece ones but usually they are complete. I have never had a stuck eye cap (ignoring rescues that arrive with them) or a tail tip. The other thing that I am likely becoming known for is accurate instruments. humidity probes are all over the place I'd recommend calibrate able ones as the test is easy and works. Then the devise can be corrected WHEN it is wrong, they all are I think after testing them I have a digital that is out almost 30%. SALT TEST

salt test: in a plastic bag take a small amount of water and add salt until there is more salt than water and crystals (saturated solution) place hygrometers in bag and seal. Move the bag to an area that is 30ºC wait for 5 hours and check the reading it will be inside the bag 75.09% (the error is 0.11%)

here is a chart for different temperatures But from 0ºC-85ºC there is less than 1% difference so temps aren't super critical (75.51-76.29%)

http://www.omega.com/temperature/z/pdf/z103.pdf