Humidity Issues (too low!)

I'm a new ball python owner and I've had my snake for about a week. He is housed in a glass terrarium with a metal screen top and aspen shaving substrate. Right now the humidity is WAY too low, 18% at the warmer end, 40% at the cooler end (It's bad, I know). I have already started misting the terrarium a few times a day, but it doesn't seem to help much.
Does anyone have any tips on raising habitat humidity?

Towel over most of the top of the screen. Obviously with 3 inches on either end open for air vents. It holds in the humidity better then you'd think.

Otherwise I know there are some stickies around here about the humidity and some very qualified members who can help! Good luck!

-tape aluminum foil or saran wrap over the mesh top to trap humidity (tape OUTSIDE the enclosure ONLY)
-sphagnum moss
-damp hand towel laid over one hide

Change substrate to forest floor cypress mulch and do what everybody else said


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Originally Posted by neonspeed

Change substrate to forest floor cypress mulch and do what everybody else said

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i forgot about substrate!

OP, what kind of substrate are you using? aspen is notorious for not keeping humidity. you can use the above or a coconut bedding. i use Reptichip which is awesome for humidity.

I use Herptopia, now reptile prime. Keeps humidity without being soggy. Love it! I also use foil over cardboard for the tops of my cages. I have a 10 ans a 20 for my snakes.

Ok I will definitely change the substrate if the aspen proves to be too difficult :)

I had major issues with this in the winter. Definitely switch to a moisture absorbing substrate, use damp towels or tinfoil for insulation, and maybe think about getting some terrarium moss (they'll sell it near the substrate at the pet store. You can moisten it and put it in the corners of the tank) I've also heard a glass tank makes it difficult to keep up the humidity, so if you think it'll be a longterm thing (say you live in a consistently dry area, consider switching to another type of tank)

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! [emoji4]

First off, ditch the fish tank and get a PVC cage. That will alleviate 90% of your problems. Then use a big water dish with Reptichips and you will have issues with how to lower your humidity lol.

But pretty much what everyone else said about covering the top. The key is you need to limit the airflow in and out enough to let a large water source aka a big water bowl with lots of surface area build humidity. If you look at PVC cages, you will notice one thing they all have, very little air holes. In your tank, cover the top and leave like an inch of either side which will provide plenty of airflow as the cool side the air comes in, goes across the cage and the hot side will lift the air out.

I have had great success cutting cardboard to fit the screen top and cutting out a hole a little larger than the heat lamp. I then wrap it in aluminum foil real tight and tape it down with duct tape. The cardboard will make it sturdy, while the foil reflects heat and humidity back into the enclosure. Take your time and get the foil taped down nice and tight and it will last you a long time.

I say ditch the hygrometer! Is probably a Exo Terra Analog Hygrometer

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Originally Posted by Joci

I'm a new ball python owner and I've had my snake for about a week. He is housed in a glass terrarium with a metal screen top and aspen shaving substrate. Right now the humidity is WAY too low, 18% at the warmer end, 40% at the cooler end (It's bad, I know). I have already started misting the terrarium a few times a day, but it doesn't seem to help much.
Does anyone have any tips on raising habitat humidity?

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Originally Posted by RickyNY

I say ditch the hygrometer! Is probably a Exo Terra Analog Hygrometer

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that's a good point, rickyny!
OP: how exactly are you measuring humidity?

I just got my bp, too, and I have him in a glass viv, and have no issues. I made sure his setup was correct /before/ introducing him into his tank, that way, I had time to make all the necessary adjustments in my husbandry and his living conditions. I tested his viv for two days to make sure his temps and humidity were stabilized in the desired range - - his cool spot is 26C, hot spot 33C, and his humidity is at 70% - 80%.

- If you're using analog gauges, get rid of them and switch to digital; you'll get more accurate readings. The placement of the hygro/thermometer probe is also important.
- Change the substrate; Forest Floor/cypress mulch holds humidity really well, I used it at first but it actually made my tank /too/ humid for my liking (99% lol), but changing from a drier substrate to a more damp one might work for you. As long as your tank doesn't get wet/fogged up/condensed and your snake is not laying on wet bedding, your animal will be fine even in higher humidity, and if you get your humidity to the 70% range, you won't need any added humidity during sheds.
- Cover half of ventilation using foil and aluminum tape to trap heat and humidity.
- Place a damp towel on top of the screen.

Glass tanks are literally so notorious for being bad at holding humidity as they tend to let it all out, glass works for some ppl and their snakes, and for others, it doesn't work at all, there's usually a bit of trial and error w/ glass habitats before you get it right.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I have had great success cutting cardboard to fit the screen top and cutting out a hole a little larger than the heat lamp. I then wrap it in aluminum foil real tight and tape it down with duct tape. The cardboard will make it sturdy, while the foil reflects heat and humidity back into the enclosure. Take your time and get the foil taped down nice and tight and it will last you a long time.

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yep this is what I did too.

I measure the humidity with a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer. It is the same thing I use to monitor the temperature in the tank.

Reptichip


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