Humidity question?

Hey all,
Just brought home my new B.C.I normal from a local pet store.(Not a chain, Reptile guy there knows his stuff.)I am familiar with python care but this is my first rendezvous with a new world constrictor. I see the suggested range of humidity is between 50 and 60 percent almost every source I look at. This seemed a bit odd to me since their natural habitat is largely tropical hence high in humidity. My question is why is the humidity range in captivity suggested to lower than what they would experience normally in the wild, but mainly will having humidity in the 60-70 percent range be harmful at all?

50-60% is appropriate for winter time, in the summer humidity can be between 70-80% no problem.


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Originally Posted by scdutes88

My question is why is the humidity range in captivity suggested to lower than what they would experience normally in the wild, but mainly will having humidity in the 60-70 percent range be harmful at all?

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The simple answer is no. 60-70% is not harmful.

The reason as to why 50-60% is commonly recommended is twofold:
1) 50-60% is easily attainable in non-tropical climates and anything less can be harmful for long-term health.
2) Methods to maintain humidity over 60% in a non-tropical climate sometimes result in wet substrate, bacterial growth, and fungus/mold growth. If the substrate is constantly wet, and care is not taken to keep the habitat clean, it is more likely to cause scale rot, opportunistic infections, respiratory illnesses, etc.

Essentially, 50-60% humidity is the easiest and safest level for most hobbyists to aim for. 60-80% humidity is not harmful at all on its own, IF you can avoid the increased risk of scale rot and mold. I personally keep my snakes in the 65-75% range, but I have to use a naturally moist/absorbent substrate (cypress) that is resistant to fungus/mold growth. I've tried Eco-earth and aspen bedding, but they were problematic. Eco-earth sprouted mushrooms as if it had been intentionally inoculated, and aspen didn't hold humidity very well... spilled water pooled underneath and became stagnant. If you use a plastic tub or other plastic professional enclosure, it is very easy to maintain high humidity without soaking the bedding... if you use a glass tank with a mesh lid, it can be very difficult to keep humidity above 60%.

Thanks for the help. its currently in a tub so my humidity stays between 60 and 70 percent without pretty much any spraying of the bedding. usually the water dish being present in the tub does enough through evaporation. I use paper towels/newspaper as substrate and provide hides on both the hot and cold side of enclosure. the ambient temp floats between 70 and 75 with the hot spot 85-90. I have the same exact set up for my ball and have had no health issues whatsoever. My main concern was doing harm to the animal over the long haul with humidity higher than suggested. I had assumed it wouldn't be an issue but why assume when I can tap into the wealth of knowledge in the forums. Thanks again