Is this OK?

So, I JUST cleaned the two girls enclosures, and because we use Forest Floor, their humidity spikes for a few days because the bedding comes moist.

Willow's humidity is reading 90% because of this and there is a bit of fog on her glass. She also didn't go to her hut but is hiding under her tree.

I've included pics of the tops of their tanks - could you tell me if the air flow is sufficient that they won't get RI's from humidity? (The tops are covered except around yzma's lamps and for Willow covered except around the backs of her lamps.)

Willow's 20g:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ps1ros5wb8.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...pskjdfi41n.jpg

Yzma's 40g:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...pszf68ulhx.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...psc23adcxr.jpg

Honestly, I'm not too sure what I'm looking at, but if you're experiencing humidity that high, even for just a couple of days, it's time to re evaluate the substrate you're using... remember, it's not about what's prettiest to look at, it's what's safest for the snake.


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It comes moist. after 10 mins her midity dropped back down to 80%. I was wondering if the space around the lights that isn't taped, is enough for air flow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yzmasmom

It comes moist. after 10 mins her midity dropped back down to 80%. I was wondering if the space around the lights that isn't taped, is enough for air flow.

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Well, 80% is still too high. And if the substrate itself is damp, that's just not ideal for a BP. Sorry, but I would change the substrate.

With as much as you have it closed off w the tape and what not, is try a drier type of substrate such as aspen or something. Raising humidity is easier than lowering humidity in my opinion.


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Dry the substrate out before use if you really want to use it. Just open the bag and wait a few days. I'm not familiar with Forest Floor but it would be a simple fix to make it dry and then add enough misting to get humidity right.

- - - Updated - - -

Dry the substrate out before use if you really want to use it. Just open the bag and wait a few days. I'm not familiar with Forest Floor but it would be a simple fix to make it dry and then add enough misting to get humidity right.

What do you have covering the lid?
Cardboard and aluminum foil is easier to use.

I have packing tape on the adults lid and saran wrap on the baby's lid.

It is cypres mulch and dries out over the course of 2-3 days, especially if I churn it once a day.

It only stays at 80% for a day and drops to 70% then 60% over the next 2 days. the bedding isn't wet when we use it, just damp. Like a rain forest floor.

We have used the bedding with the adult since June with no issues. Just noticed there was a bit of condensation from the dampness and heat in the tank in the baby's tank this time. It goes away within a day. Just wondering if the openings around the lights are enough for air flow.

Idk I guess I'm missing something. Ball pythons aren't rainforest animals.... but to each their own. Not trying to offend.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yzmasmom

... we use Forest Floor, their humidity... is reading 90% because of this and there is a bit of fog on her glass. She also didn't go to her hut but is hiding under her tree. I've included pics of the tops of their tanks - could you tell me if the air flow is sufficient that they won't get RI's from humidity?...

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I had a look at your photos. We have pet enclosures similar to yours, i.e. tanks, lamps, & screen tops partially covered. I uploaded photos on a recent thread on this forum but have forgotten which one. Your humidity is not 90% throughout the entire tank, is it? Have you moved the monitor around? With our enclosures the closer the monitor is to the lamp the higher the temperature and the lower the humidity, the farther it is the lower the temp and higher the humidity. If/when I get readings of >80% near cool spots I begin to see a small amount of condensation on the glass and then peel back a bit of the cling-wrap near the lamp to alleviate this. This especially occurs during Summer months.

We used Forest Floor cypress mulch with our Blood Pythons, tried a few different brands but liked Forest Floor the best. I don't know of too many using it for Ball Pythons. Do your Ball Pythons burrow in it? Why do you want to use it, other than that it is the most expensive bedding available and probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing? I don't think you should use it for Ball Pythons. If you think it looks cool then get yourself a Blood.

Also, I've (unfortunately) seen upwards of 30 snakes with RI when I used to check them out on CraigsList. IMO humidity is not the main culprit. Cold is #1 followed by unhygienic tanks. I would think that in the natural setting, the one in which snakes evolved in for God only knows how many eons, RI was entirely non-existent. Snakes did not spend much time near defecation.

RI is a by-product of domestication. Newspaper or paper towels make spotting waste, and thereby enabling its rapid removal, much easier vs mulch.
Mangia pane is correct quando he says "it's not about what's prettiest to look at, it's what's safest for the snake." I'm all for pets vs DNA storage in sock drawers, but I think we owe it to the reptile to provide what is best for them. Even if it's not aesthetically pleasing to the human eye.

Not offended at all! Just wanted to be sure that 80% with a bit of fog for a day and then drop to normal is ok.