New humid hide

I went to WalMart today to pick up contact paper to cover the top of the tank that came with the new arrival, and stopped off in gardening to look for a replacement water dish, hoping to find a smaller one that would still be big enough. I didn't find a satisfactory water dish, but I did find somehing that struck me as perfect for a humid hide. Here's a pic:

http://www.happyvalleyasylum.com/images/newhide.jpg

Figured out what it is? It's a hanging basket liner made of coconut fibers, about half an inch thick. I turned it upside down, cut a hole in the side, dampened it slightly, and put it on top of the water dish for a ready-made humid hide.

I made a few more changes to the enclosure in the hopes of getting the temps and humidity right. As you probably guessed, I applied the contact paper to cover most of the hardware cloth on the tank top, leaving a 1/2" strip for ventilation and cutting a hole for the ceramic heat element. I used clear contact paper, so I left the part under the light solid as it lets the light through (I know light isn't needed, but I figure why change it?). I also propped the tank up 1/2" off the floor and put a heating pad under the side with the humid hide, though I didn't turn it on because it was 80F/59% humidity in the room at the time.

Wait a go Marla!https://ball-pythons.net/modules/cop...10353/woot.gif

Now THAT is using the noggin, Marla - kudos. Let us know how they like it.

Clever idea! Does the new arrival use it?

Very cool hide idea, Marla! You're so clever!

:D Feelin' clever. S/he is definitely interested in it and has spent a lot of time draped over it or climbing on it as you saw in the photo. I'll have to keep an eye out and report back as to how much use it seems to get, though. They did have smaller ones available and the fibers are a little scratchy (good for shed time), so it'd be great if someone else needing a humid hide would spend the $4 or so and give it a shot, too.

Do you think you can like use a probe to measure the Humidity inside the hide? I would be interested in such a contraption once I get my Large Rubbermaid...or maybe a 40 gallon breeder tank.

On a side note, congrats on reaching a 1000 odd posts Judy :D

Hehe...thanks Raj. You're not too far behind, are ya?

I don't see any reason why you couldn't tuck a probe inside the hide. When I had one of Caesar's hides directly over his heat mat, I kept two probes inside...one for the thermostat and one for a separate thermometer so I could be absolutely sure the thermostsat was working properly. (Had nightmares of cooking my snake! LOL) He just curled up on top of them...never seemed to mind, but then again, he's a very stoic fellow. :wink:

Gettin there gurl :wink:

Yup, you could definitely do that. I decided to measure temp and humidity outside the hide as a rule, because I know it should be slightly warmer and a lot more humid inside it. Since s/he has apparently never had a good shed, I am hoping to enable one within the next few sheds.

Marla, were the smaller ones lower in height or just not as wide?

Both, Tiger. The smallest ones there were about the size of a standard small mixing bowl, probably 6" or 7" high. There may be smaller ones at garden stores, but I'd guess they wouldn't get much smaller than that.

Great idea Marla, keep us updated on how it works out!
Glad the new guy/gal is doing well!
Rusty

Thanks, Rusty! i caught him/her in the hide last night as I went to bed, but apparently the hole I made was a little small because s/he came in from the bottom instead. ;)

I've learned with herps, no matter how nice or convenient you make things in their enclosures (or how hard you worked on it..lol), they will always find another route..lol
Rusty

Yep, I definitely see that, too, whether it's burrowing under newspaper or hiding in the rim of a container or whatever. :)

You are so innovative! I really think I'll use that idea. You could even cut it to the perfect size, unlike little rubbermaid-type bowls. Thanx 4 the idea... :)

You're welcome! You could definitely cut it to the right size, and could put the entry anywhere you wanted (use an X-acto to make it easier). I'm glad I spotted it, because I'm pretty sure I'll be using more of these in the future. They are also available with a flat side for baskets shaped like that, and that might work better for some enclosures. Heck, you could probably cut one of those in half and put one side against a wall to make two good hides.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marla

Heck, you could probably cut one of those in half and put one side against a wall to make two good hides.

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You're just full of brilliant ideas, Marla! You should find a way to patent some of these! :D

Unfortunately, I'm better with ideas than with follow-through. Someone could certainly make a bundle marketing these as good hides, though, especially if they could get a good range of sizes available.