Ventilation for new enlosures

Right now I have one of my BPs in a zen habitat enclosure and I didn't like the way the sliding doors with substrate shield allows a small gap for my guy to squeeze in. So I decided to build enclosures and I remedied that situation with a built in substrate shield. I am doing the top with 1/4 the length as screen and the rest as plywood. With my zen enclosure I cover 3/4 of the top with plexiglass anyway, so does anyone think I need additional vents on the plywood top or will the partial screen top be enough. I can't really do vents on sides or back as i have universal rocks backgrounds all the way around. Or could I vent the front sliding doors with some small simple holes? Thanks for any advice or info.

I think you should be answering this yourself, by measuring the actual humidity as fully furnished (with substrate etc) & heated. You might even have too much ventilation as it is- I don't see how we can tell you- we don't even know the actual dimensions or what substrate you're using. Many things can influence the need for air circulation. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think you should be answering this yourself, by measuring the actual humidity as fully furnished (with substrate etc) & heated. You might even have too much ventilation as it is- I don't see how we can tell you- we don't even know the actual dimensions or what substrate you're using. Many things can influence the need for air circulation. ;)

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Ok, the size for my male ball python is going from a 4x2x2 to a 4x2x2 and use a layer of soil and forest floor. In current enclosure temps and humidity stay in appropriate ranges. I think that's originally why I did the plexiglass at 3/4 of the length. I will likely just get it set up and test it to make sure it's the same as his existing then I can relocate him. My female will be the issue foe another day, I am moving her into a 6x2x2, I haven't built that yet. I guess I did answer my own question lol

Just fyi- some enclosures designed for snakes (like BPs) that need high humidity don't even have vents. Though most do (& it varies greatly by brand & design, etc), I've seen some rely only on the tiny gaps around the entry door for air exchange. Take a look- some have maybe 2 round vents (each about 2-3" diameter) & that's it- which is less that what you described for yours.

But set it up, heat & furnishings (before the snake moves in) & measure the humidity you get, then go from there. Not everyone uses the same type of heat or the same depth of substrate, & some add more water to the substrate than others. Every new enclosure is best tested out for a week or 2 first- to make adjustments without stressing the new occupants more than they already are. :gj:

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Originally Posted by TallJRock

...does anyone think I need additional vents on the plywood top or will the partial screen top be enough.

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I think that will be more than adequate ventilation.

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Originally Posted by TallJRock

So I decided to build enclosures and I remedied that situation with a built in substrate shield. I am doing the top with 1/4 the length as screen and the rest as plywood.

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I'd love to see what you've built. As a plywood enclosure builder, myself, I'm always on the lookout for new ideas to incorporate into my next build.