Just want him better!

Hello everyone my name is Luna and I have so many questions about my new snake Loki.. I'm not sure of the sex but I know he/she is a ball python and probably about 3 feet long. I took him from a friend that I feel just gave up on him. .I Googled a little bit after noticing some skin still hanging on in pieces on his body. . My friend said she didn't want him anymore and didn't really seem to care that I even took him. .. I've never had a snake but I'm willing to keep him and want him to be as comfy and happy as I can make him..I see that I'm starting to love him more & more... He came in a tank but I took him out as of yesterday and bought a 35 qt rubber tub and put him in there with a hide, water bowl, some moss and now I'm trying to figure out how to do this heating thing. .but can't find a thermostat and I'm noticing his tank is getting over 95°.... I really just need a little help please. . ��

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

If you don't have the heat mat regulated unplug it till you get either a dimmer/rheostat or thermostat.
That is the only way you are going to properly regulate the heat source and not potentially burn your new snake.

Read the care sheet: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Why did your friend "give up" on it?

Honestly I'm not sure.... I know she's had it for about a yr and shared it with her bf but they broke up and now it just seemed like she just STOPPED GAF. I've never seen her snake in the condition that I did 2 weeks ago... he looked pale and had skin peeling off uneven looking... after I left that day I started googling. I went to her and just asked her if she even really wanted the snake anymore and she said "No".... so I packed him up and took him home. I'm an avid dog/animal lover and I don't see this snake being any different. I have unplugged the heating pad until I get the appropiate stuff I need.

Off work and constantly checking the temperature gage.. I feel so clueless and just don't want to hurt him/her. I have unplugged the heater pad all together until I find a thermostat and keepingy room temp UP. I promise to get everything he will need to be at ease. I'm looking for stores with thermostats and can't find one. 😯

Do you have any pictures you can show what's going on? If skin is peeling it sounds to me like 100% a vet visit. I'd be too afraid to handle it on my own, honestly.

He currently under his hide log.... but I see that he wanted to shed but didn't shed properly...which is why I took him out of the glass aquarium because after reading Google and here I seen that maybe his humidity and heat weren't right.. I soaked him yesterday and alot of the loose skin fell right off... he looks smoother just still have on his head area. ..but I'm kinda scared to touch him too much. Also noticed his eyes look whitish... which I read is his eye caps.... am I correct in all this??

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Off work and constantly checking the temperature gage.. I feel so clueless and just don't want to hurt him/her. I have unplugged the heater pad all together until I find a thermostat and keepingy room temp UP. I promise to get everything he will need to be at ease. I'm looking for stores with thermostats and can't find one. 😯

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check out these links for thermostats.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....=index&cPath=1

not sure of your budget, so they may seem pricey, but they are well worth the investment and will last a long time. You won't regret either choice.

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Originally Posted by DennisM

check out these links for thermostats.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....=index&cPath=1

not sure of your budget, so they may seem pricey, but they are well worth the investment and will last a long time. You won't regret either choice.

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^^thank you so much! I'm not rich but I'm willing to pay for what will WORK and LAST! Appreciate any responses I've been getting.

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Originally Posted by danizduhman

Do you have any pictures you can show what's going on? If skin is peeling it sounds to me like 100% a vet visit. I'd be too afraid to handle it on my own, honestly.

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a bad shed does not require a vet visit. even if the eye caps haven't come off. get the humidity right and all should correct itself next shed. a humid hide and perhaps a damp towel to rub against will likely get the unshed skin off before then.

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Originally Posted by DennisM

a bad shed does not require a vet visit. even if the eye caps haven't come off. get the humidity right and all should correct itself next shed. a humid hide and perhaps a damp towel to rub against will likely get the unshed skin off before then.

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Will do! What should I do to keep him warm til I do get that thermostat? Also, if he's 3 feet what kind of hide can I get or use?? And how do I make it humid??

Until the thermostat arrives you can regulate the UTH using a lamp dimmer. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot sell them for about $15.

Covering the top of the tank with foil or Glad Press n Seal helps keep in humidity. You can also make a humid hide for him out of a large zip-lock food storage container, just cut a corner off of the lid so he can get in to it and add some damp spaghnum moss or pure cypress mulch.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Until the thermostat arrives you can regulate the UTH using a lamp dimmer. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot sell them for about $15.

Covering the top of the tank with foil or Glad Press n Seal helps keep in humidity. You can also make a humid hide for him out of a large zip-lock food storage container, just cut a corner off of the lid so he can get in to it and add some damp spaghnum moss or pure cypress mulch.

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Can you link me the ziploc container..... I don't want to get one too small he gets stuck...he's a nice size..at least 3 feet.

His eyes are already noticeably darker just from 3 days of being in the plastic tub vs that glass tank.... it's moist in his tub from the mulch substrate. . Going to get dimmer today until thermostat is bought... anything else I'll need? ?

You did add some holes for ventilation correct?

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Will do! What should I do to keep him warm til I do get that thermostat? Also, if he's 3 feet what kind of hide can I get or use?? And how do I make it humid??

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What are the temps like in your house, and how long until you get the thermostat?

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You did add some holes for ventilation correct?

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Sure did! I used a soldering iron and on both sides I put 2 rows of holes. . So about 15-20 holes on each long side.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

What are the temps like in your house, and how long until you get the thermostat?

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Keeping the temps at 85 right now. . Until I can order the thermostat was gonna buy a dimmer that someone suggested.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Keeping the temps at 85 right now. . Until I can order the thermostat was gonna buy a dimmer that someone suggested.

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If your house is 85F, just turn the heater off in your enclosure. You don't need it.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Keeping the temps at 85 right now. . Until I can order the thermostat was gonna buy a dimmer that someone suggested.

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I use the Hydrofarm Jump Start Thermometer. It's around $30 and you can get it off Amazon with Prime shipping. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZZG3S..._mCPNwbCQ4XBRT (If you do not have Prime membership, sign up for the 30-day free trial and then cancel it when you're all done.) I've been using it for a year and while it's not perfect, it works well for what you pay for.

Contrary to what someone else said, you do need around a 90-93 degree hot spot in the cage. 80-85 ambient temperature is good and he'll be fine with that until you get the thermostat.

The loose skin and the cloudy eye caps were just stuck shed. The humidity in his cage before you got him was too low. If it happens again or there is still some shed left, soak him in slightly warm water and boost the humidity in his tub until it's gone.
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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Can you link me the ziploc container..... I don't want to get one too small he gets stuck...he's a nice size..at least 3 feet.

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Just get one that is similar in size to his current hides. Snakes usually don't get stuck in hides as they're quite flexible and believe me, they can squeeze through tight spaces.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

I use the Hydrofarm Jump Start Thermometer. It's around $30 and you can get it off Amazon with Prime shipping. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZZG3S..._mCPNwbCQ4XBRT (If you do not have Prime membership, sign up for the 30-day free trial and then cancel it when you're all done.) I've been using it for a year and while it's not perfect, it works well for what you pay for.

Contrary to what someone else said, you do need around a 90-93 degree hot spot in the cage. 80-85 ambient temperature is good and he'll be fine with that until you get the thermostat.

The loose skin and the cloudy eye caps were just stuck shed. The humidity in his cage before you got him was too low. If it happens again or there is still some shed left, soak him in slightly warm water and boost the humidity in his tub until it's gone.
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Thanks much! All of you have been very informative and helpful and I appreciate it to the fullest. I was so worried that he was already too far gone but super happy that he already looks alot better. I am going to order the thermostat this week and I may need some help in setting the tub up and properly connecting everything.

This forum is the best place I could have found! 😊

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Just get one that is similar in size to his current hides. Snakes usually don't get stuck in hides as they're quite flexible and believe me, they can squeeze through tight spaces.

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Right now I have a log but it's open on both ends...I HATE it! LoL...takes up alot of space and I don't feel like he's secure enough.... gonna find him a more secure one today. 2 hides correct? ?

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Right now I have a log but it's open on both ends...I HATE it! LoL...takes up alot of space and I don't feel like he's secure enough.... gonna find him a more secure one today. 2 hides correct? ?

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Yup! Two! I use the hides from reptile basics and just ordered two more yesterday! For a three foot ball I think the medium would work well. My BP is 41 inches, about, but she's had the medium hide ever since I got her when she was 18-20 inches? You could just get a third hide and stuff that with moss, but a little plastic container is cheaper. And I'm curious, how are you measuring ambient temp, heat pad temp, and humidity?

I forgot to say, good for you for taking him in! I'm glad you took him in before he got sick or anything. Don't stress out about him too much, snakes are pretty hardy animals.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Contrary to what someone else said, you do need around a 90-93 degree hot spot in the cage.

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No, you don't, if the ambient temps are high enough.

There are large breeders with no hotspots. They just keep the ambient temp in the mid 80's.

My hotspots in my rack are only 87F to 89F, and the house temps are down in the 60's or low 70's most times.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

No, you don't, if the ambient temps are high enough.

There are large breeders with no hotspots. They just keep the ambient temp in the mid 80's.

My hotspots in my rack are only 87F to 89F, and the house temps are down in the 60's or low 70's most times.

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Point taken. I still recommend 90-93 hot spot, but what works for your snakes works, eh? :D

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Yup! Two! I use the hides from reptile basics and just ordered two more yesterday! For a three foot ball I think the medium would work well. My BP is 41 inches, about, but she's had the medium hide ever since I got her when she was 18-20 inches? You could just get a third hide and stuff that with moss, but a little plastic container is cheaper. And I'm curious, how are you measuring ambient temp, heat pad temp, and humidity?

I forgot to say, good for you for taking him in! I'm glad you took him in before he got sick or anything. Don't stress out about him too much, snakes are pretty hardy animals.

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Someone mentioned ziploc storage container but I just tried to make a hole with my soldering iron and it feels sharp and ridgy.... I don't want him to get hurt trying to go in. ... any better way to do this because it came in a set of 3.... I have 2 more lol... btw I am also glad I took him in because I am loving my new buddy LOKI.... and look forward to learning more and as much as I can on him. Right now I have no thermostat or dimmer so I'm going to keep my room at 80-85 until I do then I'll plug up everything. I have thermometer and heating pad but no thermostat and don't want to burn or overheat him.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Someone mentioned ziploc storage container but I just tried to make a hole with my soldering iron and it feels sharp and ridgy.... I don't want him to get hurt trying to go in. ... any better way to do this because it came in a set of 3.... I have 2 more lol

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Got any sandpaper on hand? You could just stick some moss where his hide is and keep it moist, too. He won't have the choice if going in and out as he wants, but it's the next best thing if the separate container idea doesn't work.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Got any sandpaper on hand? You could just stick some moss where his hide is and keep it moist, too. He won't have the choice if going in and out as he wants, but it's the next best thing if the separate container idea doesn't work.

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No sandpaper lol....but I moistened his moss and put it in his hide.... question?? His substrate is cypress mulch and it feels moit in his enclosure..is that norm?? Also, he keeps burrowing and messing it all up.. is that norm?? Does he like or not like?

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

No sandpaper lol....but I moistened his moss and put it in his hide.... question?? His substrate is cypress mulch and it feels moit in his enclosure..is that norm?? Also, he keeps burrowing and messing it all up.. is that norm?? Does he like or not like?

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Do you have a hygrometer? The cypress mulch in my bin cage is barely moist, but not bone dry. It should not be wet, however. The burrowing is pretty normal. Just get a hygrometer soon. I use the Acurite one.

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You can cut the "door" in the tupperware so it is bigger than his biggest part of his body. Then he won't get stuck. Stuff some damp moss in and bingo-bango, you have a humid hide.

I'm glad to hear the snake has a new owner who really cares about him. Don't worry, you'll get all the stuff right and then he'll be a healthy pet for many years to come.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Do you have a hygrometer? The cypress mulch in my bin cage is barely moist, but not bone dry. It should not be wet, however. The burrowing is pretty normal. Just get a hygrometer soon. I use the Acurite one.

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Have that exact one. . Adhesed to the bottom of the inside of the tub under the substrate. . But it's not at 50 or 60...it's lower.... and it does feel more wet then moist. The indoor temp and outdoor temp ...which is what??

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Have that exact one. . Adhesed to the bottom of the inside of the tub under the substrate. . But it's not at 50 or 60...it's lower.... and it does feel more wet then moist. The indoor temp and outdoor temp ...which is what??

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Try doing to salt test. You'll find it everywhere on the internet. Then if the hygrometer is wrong, you'll know how off it is. Does your thermometer have a probe? Inside means the area around the thermostat and outdoor means the area where the probe is. If you have the whole unit under the bedding, I would remove it and just let it prop against the wall of the tub. Remember, thermometers (excluding temp guns and probed thermometers) measure ambient/air temp so you'll want it where the air is. If there is a probe, just place it on the surface if the bedding on the opposite side of the cage.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Try doing to salt test. You'll find it everywhere on the internet. Then if the hygrometer is wrong, you'll know how off it is. Does your thermometer have a probe? Inside means the area around the thermostat and outdoor means the area where the probe is. If you have the whole unit under the bedding, I would remove it and just let it prop against the wall of the tub. Remember, thermometers (excluding temp guns and probed thermometers) measure ambient/air temp so you'll want it where the air is. If there is a probe, just place it on the surface if the bedding on the opposite side of the cage.

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Im so confused. I have the thermometer part under the substrate stuck to the bottom of the tub....and the whole gadget like thing is outside the tub on the table.. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I feel like I'm doing this all wrong. I think his tub is too small.... I have no room for him, 2 hides, a water bowl and a thermometer gadget. Maybe I should go up to the 41 qt tub I seen that was longer. More room...he keeps moving everything around burrowing. He's gonna push the thermometer ��

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Im so confused. I have the thermometer part under the substrate stuck to the bottom of the tub....and the whole gadget like thing is outside the tub on the table.. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I feel like I'm doing this all wrong. I think his tub is too small.... I have no room for him, 2 hides, a water bowl and a thermometer gadget. Maybe I should go up to the 41 qt tub I seen that was longer. More room...he keeps moving everything around burrowing. He's gonna push the thermometer ��

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Oops, sorry! Didn't mean to confuse you. I thought you stuck the gadget to the bottom of the cage. Okay, I got this. The thermometer part is what I call the probe. The "outside temp" is that. The inside temp is the temp wherever the gadget is, in this case, the room. The humidity is also measured where the gadget is. Most of the time, the air outside the cage is drier than inside the cage. Place the gadget in the cage, and you'll get correct humidity measurements. If you literally can't fit anything, than maybe the 41 qt would work.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Oops, sorry! Didn't mean to confuse you. I thought you stuck the gadget to the bottom of the cage. Okay, I got this. The thermometer part is what I call the probe. The "outside temp" is that. The inside temp is the temp wherever the gadget is, in this case, the room. The humidity is also measured where the gadget is. Most of the time, the air outside the cage is drier than inside the cage. Place the gadget in the cage, and you'll get correct humidity measurements. If you literally can't fit anything, than maybe the 41 qt would work.

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Ok so I moved the whole gadget in the tub and put it in the corner opposite of the probe.. and it's reading at 64 for humidity and still looks like it wants to climb. .. Yiiiiikes! :/ now I have him too humid? ??

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Ok so I moved the whole gadget in the tub and put it in the corner opposite of the probe.. and it's reading at 64 for humidity. . Yiiiiikes! :/

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That's okay! It'll go down as long as you don't spray for a while. 65% isn't the worst, anyway. I'd worry if it's in the 80%+

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Weeeeeew! I know I seem sooooo freaked out but after reading this forum and seeing some of the issues that can occur...I'm just trying to do my best here. Well, I won't spray again... his tank does seem like it has condensation so I'll be replacing everything tomorrow when I get his new tub....but what do I do if it does spike into the 80+? It's currently at 71... he does have a big water bowl. .. should I take it out for the night? ?

77 humidity.... don't know what to do if it keeps climbing....will taking his water bowl out help?

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

77 humidity.... don't know what to do if it keeps climbing....will taking his water bowl out help?

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I had the same problem. Take out like 3/4 of his bedding, push the remaining bedding to one side, and use paper towels for the rest if the cage. If humidity goes too low (check a half hour after changing the set up), add a handful of more bedding. Get a large tray or the old tank and put the bedding on there. Let it air out in the house for a few days, because it's too wet to use. You should probably keep the bowl in the cool side of the cage.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

I had the same problem. Take out like 3/4 of his bedding, push the remaining bedding to one side, and use paper towels for the rest if the cage. If humidity goes too low (check a half hour after changing the set up), add a handful of more bedding. Get a large tray or the old tank and put the bedding on there. Let it air out in the house for a few days, because it's too wet to use. You should probably keep the bowl in the cool side of the cage.

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I completely took the wet stuff out...it was soaked!

Just placed a few paper towels on one side while the other has the new mulch. Humidity still seems high. Not sure what I'm doing or not doing.... plus I think I'm annoying him. He's hissing and looking like he wants to strike me which keeps making me nervous.

Still at 79... I have to get more bedding tomorrow. No stores open. Is he gonna be ok? ? Should I turn my room heat up more? ?

I don't know what to do.... humidity says 99.... I'm scared to leave for wrk.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

I completely took the wet stuff out...it was soaked!

Just placed a few paper towels on one side while the other has the new mulch. Humidity still seems high. Not sure what I'm doing or not doing.... plus I think I'm annoying him. He's hissing and looking like he wants to strike me which keeps making me nervous.

Still at 79... I have to get more bedding tomorrow. No stores open. Is he gonna be ok? ? Should I turn my room heat up more? ?

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Is your moss soaking too? Take it out for now. Take out more cypress. I don't think you need *more* bedding. You might not even need cypress mulch. Just use all paper towels for now and a small handful of mulch spread throughout the cage. Cypress mulch usually comes pre-moist anyway. Leave the heat as it is. And yeah, don't mess with him too much anymore. Even if snake bites barely hurt, you don't want to stress him too much.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Is your moss soaking too? Take it out for now. Take out more cypress. I don't think you need *more* bedding. You might not even need cypress mulch. Just use all paper towels for now and a small handful of mulch spread throughout the cage. Cypress mulch usually comes pre-moist anyway. Leave the heat as it is. And yeah, don't mess with him too much anymore. Even if snake bites barely hurt, you don't want to stress him too much.

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At work super worried about him and and that humidity while I'm here. . As soon as I get off I'm getting that 41 qt.... buying paper towels and using those for substrate. I'll put a small amount of moss but won't moisten it. Then I'll let him be. Cool??

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

At work super worried about him and and that humidity while I'm here. . As soon as I get off I'm getting that 41 qt.... buying paper towels and using those for substrate. I'll put a small amount of moss but won't moisten it. Then I'll let him be. Cool??

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Seems like a good plan. Don't stress about it at work since you can't really do anything and you don't want to become unfocused. Just remember when you leave.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

At work super worried about him and and that humidity while I'm here. . As soon as I get off I'm getting that 41 qt.... buying paper towels and using those for substrate. I'll put a small amount of moss but won't moisten it. Then I'll let him be. Cool??

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Seems good. Don't worry about it at work or else you'll become unfocused and overly stress yourself.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Seems good. Don't worry about it at work or else you'll become unfocused and overly stress yourself.

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Truly appreciate your input on this thread these last few days....You've been a major help and Loki and I thank you..
Just don't want to torture him. He can breathe tho right?? I added more holes in the top lid thinking that might help before I left... I only had the holes on the sides, not the top.

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Truly appreciate your input on this thread these last few days....You've been a major help and Loki and I thank you..
Just don't want to torture him. He can breathe tho right?? I added more holes in the top lid thinking that might help before I left... I only had the holes on the sides, not the top.

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He'll be able to breathe. Adding maybe 6 holes on top should probably.solve the humidity problem as humidity flows upwards. My cage spikes to 80% sometimes when I spray it but then it goes down quickly because I have a heat lamp and an 8 in x 8 in meshed square on the lid. My bin is the 110 quart Steriilite bin. Same area as the 41 quart but it's taller.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

He'll be able to breathe. Adding maybe 6 holes on top should probably.solve the humidity problem as humidity flows upwards. My cage spikes to 80% sometimes when I spray it but then it goes down quickly because I have a heat lamp and an 8 in x 8 in meshed square on the lid. My bin is the 110 quart Steriilite bin. Same area as the 41 quart but it's taller.

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Eeeek! I added way more then 6.... I added like 12 or more. I was freaking out, sorry. Well, any advice on holes for his new tub I'm getting??

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Originally Posted by LokiMamaz

Eeeek! I added way more then 6.... I added like 12 or more. I was freaking out, sorry. Well, any advice on holes for his new tub I'm getting??

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Twelve is fine. :) I drilled my holes on my bin with a 1/4 inch drill bit. You'd probably do well with similar. The holes don't have to be exactly 1/4 inch as it's just what I did. Any similar size hole is fine. Perhaps 10 holes on each long side (not lid) of the tub and see how that works. You might have to do 5 holes on each short side of the lid too, for the sake of making sure you have enough ventilation. Try using solely paper towels in the new bin first and a small handful of damp moss. Don't spray the bin until you see what the humidity ends up being.

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Originally Posted by Kimchi~

Twelve is fine. :) I drilled my holes on my bin with a 1/4 inch drill bit. You'd probably do well with similar. The holes don't have to be exactly 1/4 inch as it's just what I did. Any similar size hole is fine. Perhaps 10 holes on each long side (not lid) of the tub and see how that works. You might have to do 5 holes on each short side of the lid too, for the sake of making sure you have enough ventilation. Try using solely paper towels in the new bin first and a small handful of damp moss. Don't spray the bin until you see what the humidity ends up being.

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Gotcha! Getting off now and headed to target. Only thing I need is hides but right now I'm gonna have to get store bought but I'm noticing with those that they end up super rigid when I make the hole. .. know of any good hides that have a hole I can buy in the store??

P.s. I used a soldering iron for the holes