Temp and Humidity?

I am new to BPs. I was wondering waht is the ideal temp and humidity? It is currently 90-95 degrees (hot side) and 26 humidity. I thinking temp might be a tad high and it isn't humid enough. She is not in a shed and is very active right now exploring new hides and moving a lot.

the temp on the hot side needs to be 90-92 degrees, humidity 50-60%, and on the cool side it should be 80-85 degrees

The cool side is 84-86 degrees and the hot side is 88-90 degrees. I measured along the floor. The first temp was taken too close to the light source. I am going to sprtiz water in there from time to time to raise the humidity. It is pretty dry here, even worse in the winter due to the extreme cold. So I will have to find a way to remedy that.

How are you measuring temps and humidity? Digitally, dial or strip? That can make all the difference in the world. You need to keep your temps consistant. 82-84 degrees on the cool side and 92-94 on the hot side. Misting often will help raise the humidity, just make sure to keep an I out for mold and mildew.

Using a strip on the wall about 1.5 inches from the base.

Those things are not known for their accuracy and can be off by several degrees. Get yourself to Walmart/Home Depot/ Target and get a digital outdoor thermometer. Walmart has the Accurite thermometer and it measures two temps and the humidity for like $12. Much more accurate. For that money it's so worth the peace of mind! :D

you can also get didgital thermometers from petco/petsmart

We use the Accu-Rite from WalMart as well and I'd bet dollars to donuts it's both cheapier and more reliable than anything most pet stores push.

Don't forget the AAA batteries it needs. You'll find it in the outdoor thermometer/weather station area of most WalMarts (or Lowe's or Home Depot). It defaults to time, temp, humidity but with a push of a button you get temp, temp, humidity. Pretty darn good for well under $15.00!


~~Joanna~~

http://www.mgreptiles.com/Thermometers.html :)

I think I will have to order one. I live in a small town with no Petco/Petsmart. The pet stores we do have seem to be very ignorant about reptiles and stuff. I guess it's what I get for getting stationed in Hicksville, USA.

I just spritzed my snakes cage with filtered water, and I have seen the humidity drop 12 points in about 20 min. Any Suggestions? It's down to 48 from 60.

Side note the humidity never drops below 30. I know it shouldnt be that low but I cant figure how to keep the humidity in. I am thinking about some weather stripping and blocking the vents in the back. I don't like spritzing so much because I am afraid of mild build up. I am thinking of building a bigger tank and getting the "Misting Volcano" for it.

can you post a pic or describe your setup? basically more ventilation=less humidity and less ventilation=more humidity. screen tops should be covered, heat sources like bulbs,heat emitters really dry out the air. different size water bowls can help out too.


vaughn

http://min.midco.net/lars/lars.htm
Click on the "My Snake" link.

There is the link to my home page. I haven't figured out how to post pics in the forums yet.

Sorry had to edit the Url

http://min.midco.net/lars/lars.htm

Thats the right link.

nice cage! from what i can see maybe the light bulb is drying out the air too much. you can switch to heat tape/flexwatt and maybe tape up half of the vent in the back. just some thoughts.


vaughn

Thanks for all the good info here in the forums.

Salina (still not sure if it's a male or female) ate f/t for the second time today. Holy snake crap Batman!!! I dangled it for 2-3 seconds and she moved so fast I almost soiled my self. I didn't get to see her eat f/t the first time cause my wife fed her. It was amazing to see her hit it like that, it took her 5 minutes to hit a live one.

I also added the "Repti Bark" bedding to her cage and put plastic rap over the vents in the back. Humidity is holding around 50. I mist it lightly before I go to bed or work if it drops below that.

She seems to be very docile and I have yet to see her hiss or strike a member of the family. My 9 yr old son is very good with her, but my younger two children still have much to learn so I don't let them hold her as much. She is also very calm around the wife and my self. She seems to enjoy the time out of her cage. I am so happy I finally got myself a snake, I wanted one since I was a small child. I can't wait to add one or two more.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...p004_thumb.jpg

Just seeing if this works. This is my Salina.

She (or he) is lovely! We have kids too (4 of them...will trade for any snake you have and heck I'll toss in shipping LOL). They love the snakes and can easily handle ours with some supervision. Our 12 and 14 year old like to help feed as well.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear Salina is eating well for you and your wife.


~~Joanna~~

My kids are as listed.
Boy 9 - Very good with the snake.
Girl 8 - Somewhat jumpy around the snake only get to hold it with STRICT supervision.
Boy 5 - Very hyper and only gets to hold the snake while sitting down with dad right there.

They all love the snake but the younger two make very quick movements, which causes the snake to make quick movements. Salina has been patient with them thus far, however I am trying to slow the kids down and teach them respect for the snakes feelings. I guess it could be worse, I was bringing home copper heads when I was 9 yrs old. I picked a wounded one off the road one day and rode it home on my bike, almost gave my mom a heart attack.

Oh lordy! Your poor mom!

Mine are girl 18, boy 14, girl 12, boy 4. Our oldest just got her first apartment....she wants a cornsnake for a housewarming present LOL! Our middle son and daughter are very good with the snakes. In fact, they are currently saving up to buy their own "personal" snakes - a female albino Nelson's Milksnake and a male het for albino Nelson's Milksnake. Our youngest is like yours and tends to move too quickly around the snakes.

I have to say I think snakes make excellent pets around kids (with supervision). It's been great for our kids to be exposed to a "pet" that they must adjust their actions around versus a puppy they can play with whenever they feel like it. They are learning more about patience, calm behaviour and putting the snakes needs before their own which I think is wonderful! They even tell their friends which days and times of day they can visit if they want to see our snakes....they know the "hands off" schedule down pat LOL.

One of our snakes, Rionach, seems to enjoy it when they pull up their shirts and bit and she can laze about on a warm bare belly while they watch a bit of evening TV. They know that a calm, quiet manner encourages a calm, quiet reaction in her. They start fidgeting around or being loud, Rionach moves off immediately. A very nice way to help learn the age old "actions cause consequences" lesson.

I think it's wonderful you are teaching your children the right way to be around Salina. Good for you! There's always some great life lessons when kid's interact with pets.

~~Joanna~~