any suggestions on how I can keep up humidity!?

I couldn't find a direct answer to this anywhere but I'm having trouble keeping up the humidity.

I monitor my ball python's (Bender) stats everyday constantly but every time I bring it up to 60 or so it goes right back down to 30 in less than half an hour.
I use the lamp to evaporate water into the air, I cover half the tank with light cardboard, I mist, and I have started putting in a sponge in a little shot glass.
Bender is starting his first molt with me and I need to solve this problem.
He is a good eater and very friendly so the humidity dips have not affected him really before but I would like him to have a good and happy molt.

sorry for the length this is my first post thank you for your help!

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Originally Posted by Concord

I couldn't find a direct answer to this anywhere but I'm having trouble keeping up the humidity.

I monitor my ball python's (Bender) stats everyday constantly but every time I bring it up to 60 or so it goes right back down to 30 in less than half an hour.
I use the lamp to evaporate water into the air, I cover half the tank with light cardboard, I mist, and I have started putting in a sponge in a little shot glass.
Bender is starting his first molt with me and I need to solve this problem.
He is a good eater and very friendly so the humidity dips have not affected him really before but I would like him to have a good and happy molt.

sorry for the length this is my first post thank you for your help!

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also, when i clean the tank I will moisten the ground and mix it up but that doesn't stay damp very long either and I worry about tummy rot!

Well the heat lamp is killing your humidity. There isn't much more than what you are already doing to keep the humidity up.

This is why many people use tubs or PVC cages, they hold humidity much better and usually do not use heat lamps to provide the proper temperatures.

Here is a thread on tubs:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/forum...2-BP-Husbandry


And one on PVC cages:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

You can try a number of things.

1) larger water bowl
2) move water bowl under the lamp
3) instead of using cardboard, you can use tin foil, damp towel, or plexiglass. Cardboard doesn't hold moisture well.

Lamps suck the humidity out like a sponge so they're not recommended unless there's not any other way to keep your temps up. Do you have a heating pad?

You can also make a humid hide for him.

Hi! It's good news to hear that Bender is friendly and has an appetite. ;)

You're doing most of the things that help keep humidity up already. Ideally, if you can keep it at 60-70%, you'd be on a roll. Keep misting, make sure the water bowl is full/a decent size, and you might want to consider a lower wattage heat lamp so that the moisture isn't completely sucked up by it.

You don't really want the substrate to be moist, since yes, it does increase risk of scale rot and bacteria. You might want to try creating a humid hide.

What are the temps? Temperature also plays a role in the shed process.

thanks everyone!

I have actually been keeping the lamp off for the past few days because it has been unseasonably warm here. he has a heating pad on the cooler side and the temps have steadily been 90 on one side and 80 on the other during the day and both drop between 5 and 10 degrees at night. I am going to try a damp cloth on top of the tank and i definitely think a humid hide will help.
I don't think I should get a bigger water dish until he grows since he isn't big enough yet!

I will be sure to keep and eye on it and try things and if the problem persists look into some different tubes and habitats!