Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
I have been having a great deal of difficulty keeping my humidity above 50%. I have installed a hose that brings wet air into the enclosure. But it is not air tight and even tapeing the door seams and totally closing off the screen top, I was reading 49%.
So I took an old water dish filled it with aspen shavings and flooded that with water.
IT WAS AMAZING! Not only did this bring the humidity up to 65%, but Fluffy went straight to it and started rolling in the slush. He splashed it all over the area making a real mess. It looked like he was having a LOT of fun.
My question is should I replace the aspen with moss (softer). And should I clean up the wet aspen that is around the slush bowl?
Is there a high probability of an RI from this set up?
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Carefull he's not spending to much time in that. Thats a good way to get scale rot.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
As Ed said, wet substrate is a great breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and all other kinds of ill stuff that aren't good for your snake.
Make sure that the hides you are using, or should be using if you aren't, in the enclosure are secure. Snakes don't "play" in the mud...chances are it saw the bowl of wet substrate as a better hiding place than it had before, and thats why it went in there.
So, specifically:
Quote:
My question is should I replace the aspen with moss (softer). And should I clean up the wet aspen that is around the slush bowl?
No, wet moss does not make a good substrate for ball pythons. Their enclosure should be HUMID, not WET....there's a difference.
Quote:
Is there a high probability of an RI from this set up?
So long as your temps are where they should be (82-84/92-94) and your humidity is between 50-70%, you shouldn't worry too much.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Great advice. He only played in the slush pit for about 10 minutes. I will clean up all the wet substrate that is outside of the slush pit and change it out daily to prevent mold and bacteria.
I hope we get some rain or snow. I don't like is so dry myself!
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Outsideof shed why do you want or need to keep your humidity above 50%? Unless the snake is actually getting dehydrated it really doesn't matter and as pointed out your slush pit is a great breeding place for bugs and scale rot. It sounds like it may work well when he is blue but otherwise I think you are creating problems rather than helping things.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
HUMIDITY
50-60%
70% (or humid hide) impending shed
The humidity should be kept between 50 and 60 % unless shedding and then only at and slightly above 70 during the blue and shed time frame. If the humidity is to low they can risk getting an URI just like if the temps are to low and the humidity is right on.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
If it comes to a choice between risking scale rot or maintaining humidity in the 40% range....I'd opt for lower humidity. 49% is FINE. 50% is not a magical number. Mid-40's is fine. Higher might be a bit better, but its not an absolute.
Just be sure to keep an eye on your snake and be aware of when its getting ready to shed so you can then take extra measures to up the humidity, such as a humid hide and/or a bowl of water for soaking.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
I'll second what Judy said....my humidity is rarely above 55% and I get perfect sheds every time...I usually spray a shot of water down on the paper after I clean and a little more during shed cycles.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
I believe that I can maintain above 45% without the slush pit.
From the comments here, the extra wetness may be not worth the problems that it may cause. I certainly can keep the range between 45-60%. Durring a shed (my experience with fluffy is 2-3 days) I can jack up the humidity with a wet sponge on a ceramic tile (that is what I did last shed).
Thanks all for the good discussion.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Let me ask this are you using a screen top VIV. IF so is the top covered with tinfoil and duck tape? like in this http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=32800.
Also are you using a UTH or lights to heat your enclosure?
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
I have the screen covered with a sheet of 1/8th inch plastic which has been duct-taped to the edge of the VIV -- totally covering the top. I have a 4 inch cicular hole cut in it where I have a 100w ceramic bulb in a steel cover. There are only 4 x 3/8th inch holes allowing air circulation.
The problem is the front panel has two swing open doors that have a 1/16th inch gap all the way around plus in the center. This is the equavalent of about 3 feet of 1/16 gap.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Covering the screen lid with plastic and insulating the sides of the aquarium with reflectix will do wonders for those losing a lot of heat and humidity in glass tanks, or using glass tanks in rooms cooler than 75 degrees.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
If your using the Exoterra cage that I am thinking of it has vents in the front below the doors. Those even closed will reek havock on your humidity and heat. Also if there is a lot of air moving in the room 9i.e you AC or heat running or a fan going) That will suck heat out bad as will using lights in an alread drafty tank.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
wait wait wait. before i reply, you have a snake named Fluffy?
haha. thats great.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
See but this is the real fluffy.
http://www.bobclark.com/images/anima...ictures&pic=-1
Sorry for the offtopic.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
eep.
Maybe something simple like keeping your water dish over your heat source (if you have one that is under the enclosure) would help raise humidity.
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
If your using the Exoterra cage that I am thinking of it has vents in the front below the doors. Those even closed will reek havock on your humidity and heat. .
I do have the cage you are thinking of. The vents are taped over. The problem is the Height == 18". I have absolutely no problem with heat. One side is warm and the other is cool. I have two identical hides and he does seem to travel between the two. I am just having trouble with the humidity. BUT, I have found two methods which work.
I am choosing to use the less messy method, in order to reduce the chance of a bacterial/mold problem.:taz:
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
Nah, we named him for the character in BUNNICULA!! :rolleye2:
Re: Fluffy likes playing in the mud.
i only up the humidity when i notice the snakes going into shed, i mist the hot side a little, and that's enough
