Humidity levels

So I’ve read that 50-60% humidity is ideal fro ball pythons. I just got mine and have had trouble keeping it up it’s usually around 45(warm side)-53(cool side) so I’ve changed the substrate like three times lol. Aspen to aspen+repti bark then I took all the aspen out n mixed cypress mulch with reptibark but the humidity went to 80 🤧 so now u just have some of that mix and mostly aspen in the tank now and it’s at 65% is that okay?

I prefer higher humidity for my ball pythons. A reading of 65% is fine.

Aspen molds easily when they are wet. Do not mix them. Either use aspen or aspen and other wet absorbing substrate, but don't mix it with substrate that stays wet.

Humidity never stays constant: it is the measurement of water in the air. In other words, while you may end up with 80% humidity at first, it will drop slowly over the next few days and how fast it evaporates depends on how much of it escapes from the tank. Therefore, you can do the following:

Use plexi glass or other material that covers at least half of your mesh lid.

Use substrate that stays damp for as long as it can, like coco fiber bricks or cypress mulch.

Mix substrate with moss. Clean moss can be reused and should be used like a sponge: soak completely, squeeze out the excess water and resoak when it dries up.

Spraying your tank a few times per day or use a humidifier.

Add more substrate. When the top layer appears to dry, stir the bottom layer that is still damp to make it last longer.

Create a humid hide by using a plastic container and some moss/wet substrate.

Lastly, changing from tank to tub. Glass tanks do work but takes more effort and creativity to keep that humidity in.

What you don't want to do is sacrifice air flow for humidity. Meaning, don't block the entire mesh lid. Don't add too much water into your substrate where it feels like a mini wetlands.

Orchid mixed with eco earth works well ...


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Orchid bark mixed with eco earth works well ...


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Also Repti bark mixed with Eco Earth of course ...

Edit - do you call it Eco-Earth in the States ??


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Oop okay thank you so much

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I prefer higher humidity for my ball pythons. A reading of 65% is fine.

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I do as well.

If I let my humidity drop to what is 'recommended' my bps run into shedding problems. I tend to keep my humidity higher than 65% and try to bump it up to at least 80% when I see them going into shed. I've had over 100 bps and never had an issue. As long as you keep your temps correct they are fine. From what I've heard, problems like an RI that typically get blamed on too high humidity are actually caused by bacteria from dirty conditions or viruses passed from another animal. It's possible high humidity combined with low temps could weaken the animals immune system but I never heard of an actual case of a bp getting sick from high humidity. I don't know much about RIs though because I've never had to deal with one and I've been keeping my bps with high humidity for years.

I've found cocochip or reptichip hold humidity best. I still need to add water to it weekly to keep my humidity where I like it but it's still much better than any of the many other substrates I've tried. Plus it reduces odor and does not mold even if it gets a little too wet like a lot of others.

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Originally Posted by chloe21

So I’ve read that 50-60% humidity is ideal fro ball pythons. I just got mine and have had trouble keeping it up it’s usually around 45(warm side)-53(cool side) so I’ve changed the substrate like three times lol. Aspen to aspen+repti bark then I took all the aspen out n mixed cypress mulch with reptibark but the humidity went to 80 [emoji1784] so now u just have some of that mix and mostly aspen in the tank now and it’s at 65% is that okay?

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Just a thought .. what are you using to take humidity levels ??

I know these kind of stick-on ones are very popular .. but ...

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I use digital hygrometers I got from amazon

Does anyone recommend a mister, or humidifier? I just bought the "Zoo Med ReptiRain Automatic Misting Machine" and it may put too much water in my Ball Python's enclosure. It literally sprays water, not like a fog. Should i get a humidifier? Is that even necessary? Perhaps i should simply cover the screen on top at least half way, and just keep a couple of water bowls. Opinions, anyone?