I think it's finally coming together!

I've had a stressful week worrying over my new snake (maybe a little too much) and after incorporating the thermostat for my uth which I received in the mail today, finally feel like I have a complete and well-functioning enclosure. The only issue I have left is creating optimal humidity levels. I added a vaporizer to the room, adjacent to the snake tank, which has brought the humidity up about 12% since this afternoon. I think I'll try adding tin foil as well and see what that gets me at. I live in Colorado, and we've just hit the snow season, meaning we're at an all-time dry point here. Right now the humidity is at 32%, so I hope it continues to climb. Anyone else live in Colorado and have any other humidity trapping tips?

I just wanted to post a pic of the current set-up, and see what the thoughts on it are.

I also want to thank everyone for all your help this past week while I've been panicking about everything.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...9188d283ca.jpg


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Adding tin foil will help alot like you said... A little trick I learned also (others may not agree) is to get a new clean sponge and lay it half way in the water dish leaning onto the side of the water dish granted not very appealing but winter months it really helps alot... Hope this helps

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Originally Posted by erebus45

Adding tin foil will help alot like you said... A little trick I learned also (others may not agree) is to get a new clean sponge and lay it half way in the water dish leaning onto the side of the water dish granted not very appealing but winter months it really helps alot... Hope this helps

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Thank you!! I thought about sponges. Is there a certain type I should use?


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Moss is much better than a sponge. Moss will not grow mold and being natural has a much better look in a snake cage.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Terra...s=zoo+med+moss

Instead of placing it in the water I have had very good results with placing it in the hides. During a shed keep it moist and if the snake is not in shed you can allow it to dry out before making it damp again. This make the hides humid and not the entire tank. Since the snake is in the hides most of the time it gets the humidity it needs without making you fight to make the entire tank humid.

Covering most of the screen lid is still a good idea as that will keep heat as well.

In regards to the half log hide I would add thick paper on the back of the tank and push the half log against the back wall. Then take some of that moss and put a good size clump in the front opening to give the snake some privacy. Half logs are not great hides for many snakes as they have large openings on each end. Placing the moss there allows the snake to crawl in and out easily put also gives them the security they need.

Moss is also a good thing to add to a hide that may be a bit big for a snake. You can make if feel smaller and more secure to the snake by adding it.

Also you need to get some actual screen clips to hold the lid on. Snakes are very stronger and have gotten out of many tanks that were not properly secured. I would also remove the branch until you have a more secure lid so the snake can not reach the lid as easy. Once you get the clips the branch should not be an issue.

I like that hide on the left, where you get it from aha saying that might not fit an adult bp but ay

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As for humidity, try adding moss in the cool hide that helps :) & could change the substrate to eco earth/repti bark etc. That helps alot... then cover half the screen top with a towel ( some people damp the towel a little, but this can rust the screen top a bit over time)

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Looking good! If you still have humidity issues after trying what KMG said, maybe consider a substrate change. Cypress mulch, coco husk, reptichip.. just some options to keep humidity up as they retain moisture well.

Also don't know if you've mentioned in previous threads, but did you get your little noodle yet? [emoji51]

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'll try covering the top a bit, put dark paper around the outside of the tank on the three non-viewing sides, and add moss to the hides to start.
@swiftstar I just picked it up from petsmart. lol it's a little small for a large snake for sure, but I figured it's better to have the hides grow with the snake, so I'll switch it out when he's big.

@jbzapanda yes! I do have my little noodle!

I'm actually out of town right now and have a vet student taking care of him while I'm away. I'll have to employ these methods when I return, but she may have added a little tin foil to the lid for now.

@KMG I am definitely getting clips! I just kept forgetting before I left on my vacation and there are very heavy weights on the lid right now which I don't suspect he'll move. Thank you for all your suggestions! I'll be incorporating them once I return home!



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I was just like you having problems with humidity in a screen cage until..... I found this bad boy forum :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...tment-Tutorial

I bet you won't have problems after this!!!

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Originally Posted by maausen

I was just like you having problems with humidity in a screen cage until..... I found this bad boy forum :)
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...tment-Tutorial

I bet you won't have problems after this!!!

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Thank you!!! This is much appreciated!


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Just wanted to send an update: I know it won't mean much, especially since I haven't been home to make changes and create a more humid environment. But this is week two, and my baby hasn't eaten. The girl watching him tried feeding, and he didn't eat, so she left the mouse on the cage floor. She did say he's been coming out to play every night, so I suspect he's ok if he's active after dark when you'd suspect he would be.


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Originally Posted by Maddlesrain

Just wanted to send an update: I know it won't mean much, especially since I haven't been home to make changes and create a more humid environment. But this is week two, and my baby hasn't eaten. The girl watching him tried feeding, and he didn't eat, so she left the mouse on the cage floor. She did say he's been coming out to play every night, so I suspect he's ok if he's active after dark when you'd suspect he would be.


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It is a new snake in a new place and then a week later you moved it again. I am not surprised it didn't eat. I wouldn't worry about it though. That would be what I expect from many Balls.

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Originally Posted by KMG

It is a new snake in a new place and then a week later you moved it again. I am not surprised it didn't eat. I wouldn't worry about it though. That would be what I expect from many Balls.

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That's good to know. I just hope he'll eat in the coming weeks. Do you suspect if I move him back and get the humidity higher he'll eat? I hate having to move the little dude, but I think I'll have to move him again in about three weeks when another break comes up. I could possibly just bring him back down to the house and leave him down there without moving for about six weeks before bringing him back to my dorm. I didn't realize I'd be moving around so much these coming months and then my family sprung all these trips on me. He seems healthy otherwise, but I'm extremely anxious about the feeding.


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Originally Posted by Maddlesrain

That's good to know. I just hope he'll eat in the coming weeks. Do you suspect if I move him back and get the humidity higher he'll eat? I hate having to move the little dude, but I think I'll have to move him again in about three weeks when another break comes up. I could possibly just bring him back down to the house and leave him down there without moving for about six weeks before bringing him back to my dorm. I didn't realize I'd be moving around so much these coming months and then my family sprung all these trips on me. He seems healthy otherwise, but I'm extremely anxious about the feeding.


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New snakes really need to get established and settled in. Moving them around a lot can make this much more difficult. While it is in the same place you need to make sure that it everything else is great.

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Originally Posted by KMG

New snakes really need to get established and settled in. Moving them around a lot can make this much more difficult. While it is in the same place you need to make sure that it everything else is great.

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That completely make sense. The thing that is an issue is the humidity for sure. I'm going to try everything I possibly can on that front. I'm trying to just stay positive and do everything I can because I tend to start panicking.
Thanks again for all your knowledge and input.




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Originally Posted by Maddlesrain

That completely make sense. The thing that is an issue is the humidity for sure. I'm going to try everything I possibly can on that front. I'm trying to just stay positive and do everything I can because I tend to start panicking.
Thanks again for all your knowledge and input.




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Moss in the hides, moss in the hides. Works like a champ.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Moss in the hides, moss in the hides. Works like a champ.

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That's the first thing I'm going to do when I get home on Monday; run to the store and buy heaps of moss!! Or order it tonight and see if it'll arrive on time... whichever is quicker!!


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HE ATE TONIGHT!!! I thawed one of the last little mice I had left just to try it out/get rid of it before getting new (bigger) prey. I'd left it to set under the heat lamp for about 20 minutes and I think the smell peaked his interest because as soon as I lowered it into the mouth of his hide he made a hissing sound and attacked it so savagely he actually ripped the tail end off.

The humidity has been stabilized at around 50% with spikes reaching to the upper fifties, so definitely improving.

I'm feeling pretty darn stoked! I hope he keeps this up!


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