Humid hides?

Can someone explain humid hides to me and if and when they are necessary? Is it used only when your bp sheds or is it there all the time? I've heard of people using moss, but cautioned to make sure the bp doesn't stay in all the time to prevent belly rot? Which side should you put it in?

I've also heard of two humid hides used, one hot and one cold in additional to the regular hides. Is there such a thing as too many hides?

I know I can always try making my own, but I admit I kinda really like how these hides look;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHLQJU...F8GF75NU&psc=1

Would that that be a decent humid hide if I put moss in it? Also where do you guys get your moss from?

Thanks!

1. Humid hides are only necessary if you are having issues maintaining humidity in the 60~70 range in the rest of the enclosure. I'd leave them in all the time in that case though, because some first time keepers don't know when their snake is starting the shedding process.

2. There's no such thing as too many hides for ball pythons!

3. You can put it on either/both sides. If you only have one hide though, then it should be on the warm side.

You can buy spaghnum moss, look it up to find where it's sold. But I'm cheap and make humid hides by sticking damp paper towel to the walls of the hide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

1. Humid hides are only necessary if you are having issues maintaining humidity in the 60~70 range in the rest of the enclosure. I'd leave them in all the time in that case though, because some first time keepers don't know when their snake is starting the shedding process.

2. There's no such thing as too many hides for ball pythons!

3. You can put it on either/both sides. If you only have one hide though, then it should be on the warm side.

You can buy spaghnum moss, look it up to find where it's sold. But I'm cheap and make humid hides by sticking damp paper towel to the walls of the hide.

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Thanks for responding! If I end up not having issues with humidity would it be a bad idea to keep humid hides anyways?

and omg knowing that I can't have too many hides makes me so ridiculously happy because I was worried I'd overwhelm my bp by planning on getting a lot of hiding spots/shelter for it.

I was actually wondering about damp paper towels! How often would you say i should change them out or making sure my snake doesn't get too wet/damp? Has belly rot ever really been an issue? i've only heard of it being a problem on a few occasions and don't know how much of a concern it really is.

I believe this moss brand should be fine?
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Labor...=sphagnum+moss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

I was actually wondering about damp paper towels! How often would you say i should change them out or making sure my snake doesn't get too wet/damp? Has belly rot ever really been an issue? i've only heard of it being a problem on a few occasions and don't know how much of a concern it really is.

I believe this moss brand should be fine?
https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Labor...=sphagnum+moss

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Damp paper towels work. Another trick is a damp sponge, they can be cleaned and reused. Just be careful that whatever you use is damp and not wet. As long as they are not wet, you shouldn't see any belly rot issues, but it's something I would monitor closely, especially while you're still in the early learning stages.
If you use paper towels, change them as they dry out (I haven't used this technique, but I'm guessing every other day or so?).
You will probably notice, especially as the winter months are behind us, that you may not need to use any extra tricks to maintain humidity depending on your enclosure and substrate.
I only use these tricks when I notice my snakes going into shed and a humidity bump is in order.

That moss is fine, but I'm pretty sure you can find it cheaper.