Can a hide be too humid?

It's just a plastic cereal bowl, with a hole cut into it. She loves it, but when I got her out the other day the bark was really moist. She is in shed now, so i'm not too worried about, but i caught her moving over to the hot side today, and the bark was so wet it stuck to her. Should I stick a probe in it and test the humidity? I'm not going to do any changes until she sheds, but I heard too much high humidity can give them RI. Has anyone had any other problems with this? Usually her humidity is a flat 50-55, but because of the shed i've bumped it to 70.

60% humidity is fine

If your substrate is wet, that probably isn't good.
Can you tell us more about your setup?
Do you mist your enclosure?
Could she have tipped her water bowl?
Could she have peed?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If your substrate is wet, that probably isn't good.
Can you tell us more about your setup?
Do you mist your enclosure?
Could she have tipped her water bowl?
Could she have peed?

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No. I don't mist. I have a 55 gal, and i tried misting, but it just doesn't work in something that big. I do have a waterfall, but it's not near her hide. And her water bowl, which both i check for spills daily. they seem fine. I do use a cup with some paper towels as a humidifier, and it does sit in the opposite corner on the same side as her hide, but i have it locked in with a branch/log thing. She could have peed, but it didn't smell. I'll see if I can't get some pictues up later. I know the tank is huge for her, but her temps and humidity are usually perfect, and she seems to be comfortable. she eats great. I might do some rearranging after her shed, its going to be cleaning time anyway. I could also use paper towels instead of the repti-bark. It would be easier to see where the wetness is coming from. Do you think I should knock her humidity down a bit?

You could either switch to paper towels, or just replace the substrate where it feels wet and see if that helps.

60% humidity would work. But that wouldn't mean that there wont' be a problem if the substrate is wet. If the substrate is wet that could lead to mold(possibly causing a RI) or could cause scale rot on the snake. Neither of these are a good thing so i would be really careful with whats going on under those hides.

I can also say to stay away from the plastic bowl type and such as they dont' let condensation escape so even if the snake did pee or something that would trap that moisture under that hide. I use the logs that are made out of the hard non wood substance cause they are easy to clean and my BP loves them. It allows me to use my humidifier and not worry about trapping moisture in hides that could potientally cause problems for my snake.

Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

60% humidity would work. But that wouldn't mean that there wont' be a problem if the substrate is wet. If the substrate is wet that could lead to mold(possibly causing a RI) or could cause scale rot on the snake. Neither of these are a good thing so i would be really careful with whats going on under those hides.

I can also say to stay away from the plastic bowl type and such as they dont' let condensation escape so even if the snake did pee or something that would trap that moisture under that hide. I use the logs that are made out of the hard non wood substance cause they are easy to clean and my BP loves them. It allows me to use my humidifier and not worry about trapping moisture in hides that could potientally cause problems for my snake.

Hope this helps.

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Wow. I didn't think about that. Thanks!! I'll do a little cleaning under the hide for the next few days. Then, after the shed. I'll see if I can get something better. I don't want to change anything during shed. She's a little grumpy :O

There is nothing wrong with plastic hides. You should never have a problem with condensation.

Wood hides are pretty terrible and in fact, hard to clean. There is no way to sterillize all of the small crevices unless you stick it in the oven for a half hour.
Not to mention those log hides provide 0 security for the snake.

Stick to plastic.

edit: wait, so you have a non-wood log hide? What is this??

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

There is nothing wrong with plastic hides. You should never have a problem with condensation.

Wood hides are pretty terrible and in fact, hard to clean. There is no way to sterillize all of the small crevices unless you stick it in the oven for a half hour.
Not to mention those log hides provide 0 security for the snake.

Stick to plastic.

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I have seen those bowl hides trap moisture. If it is moist under there at all it will not allow the condensation to escape. Plastic is not a porous substance so if you only have a little hole where the snake can go in as well as having a actual substrate not just paper towels they are ment to hold in moisture more. That coupled with the fact that there is nowhere for the moisture to go it could absolutly pose a problem.
I do not use the wood logs, like i said in my post i use the hard plastic kind of hid logs. Wood is a terribel thing to use as it harbors bacteria. However i use clorohexidine solution to disinfect my stuff. And those logs can be washed with ease in the sink or dishwasher. And since its a log structure it gives her plenty of security and she loves it. She prefers it to any other hide i have put in her tank.


Ill see if i can pull up the link on the internet for you. They are great to use cause it takes out all the bad points of wood while still giving all the plus points.

So, explain to me how a hard plastic log is more porous then a plastic bowl?

When i go home ill post a link to the exact kind that i use. But its made out of a resin so that it can be totally clean and dishwasher safe. And still be a cuddly log for your snake!

Ok. It is a thin, cheap plastic bowl. I'll check the bowl itself when I get home to see it's wet itself. I can always go to hobby lobby and get some clay flower pots. Those will work right? I've also been wanting to get some of the thick plastic hides i've seen. I just get weary about switching around her enclosure. This would be a good reason to do some shopping. I'll let you know if I find any moisture when I get home. If she's not in it. I really don't need a reason to get struck. lol.

A resin log isn't more porous at all. But the amout of air flow that can get in is much greater then a plastic bowl with one small hole in it. Thats pretty much like having a green house in your snake tank, specially since BP's require such hit temps to start. If there isn't enough air getting to the substrate which it clearly sounds like there isn't. Then you will get the moist bottom and possibly harm your snake.

Edit: I wouldn't mess with anything while she is in shed like you said. But when i get home ill go back to this post and post a pic of my logs if i can't find one on the internet. Im not sure if they are exo terra or not but they are wonderful to have.

I know the conversation has taken a turn to blame the hides. but just a thought; you said you had a waterfall; is it possible that it could hve leaked out; I have one as well and apparently it decided it wanted to start leaking; long story short there was a whole lot of wet aspen. I got the problem under control now; but just something to think about

if its the waterfalls i am thinking of... i also have one and there really isnt any possible way for the molded material to leak as the bason is one solid molded unit..... unless you guys physically damaged it some how.

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Originally Posted by jaygarsh

I know the conversation has taken a turn to blame the hides. but just a thought; you said you had a waterfall; is it possible that it could hve leaked out; I have one as well and apparently it decided it wanted to start leaking; long story short there was a whole lot of wet aspen. I got the problem under control now; but just something to think about

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Yeah, i checked it. Actually the back can come loose if Apollo is climbing on it too much, so I check it every day. The bark around it is fairly dry. Also, I keep the waterfall in the middle away from her hides, as well as her water bowl, incase of a spill. So, it has to be something else.

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

if its the waterfalls i am thinking of... i also have one and there really isnt any possible way for the molded material to leak as the bason is one solid molded unit..... unless you guys physically damaged it some how.

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The base is solid, and about an inch or so up the hide. It's solid to the point it can completely cover the pump. But there is a back plate that removes, so i can change the pump if it dies. Area around it is fairly dry.

wet substrate is bad no matter how much the humidity is!

Update: When i came home i checked on her again. she was in her hide, but the bedding was wet. It has to be the hide. Everything else is dry. I went ahead and cleaned it out because she loves that spot, and there is no need for her to be sitting in wet bedding. After her shed, I'm getting some new hides. Actual bp hides or flower pots.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Update: When i came home i checked on her again. she was in her hide, but the bedding was wet. It has to be the hide. Everything else is dry. I went ahead and cleaned it out because she loves that spot, and there is no need for her to be sitting in wet bedding. After her shed, I'm getting some new hides. Actual bp hides or flower pots.

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Ok just got back from work and got some info for you.. One of the hides i use can be found here http://www.zootoo.com/reptiles_dcor/...ollowhideaways.. Its a very good hide and easy as hell to clean and my snake absolutely loves it. No matter what substance the hide is made out of, if you dont' get proper ventilation through the hide and it stays dark. That is the perfect place for moisture and bacteria to build. Specially because of the high temps needed for BP's. I would highly highly recommend checking this out specially since you are not noticing any leaks in your water fall and you are still having trouble with the wetness under her hide area.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Ok just got back from work and got some info for you.. One of the hides i use can be found here http://www.zootoo.com/reptiles_dcor/...ollowhideaways.. Its a very good hide and easy as hell to clean and my snake absolutely loves it. No matter what substance the hide is made out of, if you dont' get proper ventilation through the hide and it stays dark. That is the perfect place for moisture and bacteria to build. Specially because of the high temps needed for BP's. I would highly highly recommend checking this out specially since you are not noticing any leaks in your water fall and you are still having trouble with the wetness under her hide area.

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Yeah. That looks great I'll be sure to check it out. Thanks!!!

Glad i could be of help stratus. Hope you get everything worked out!

I avoid any issue of condensation with our plastic hides by putting the entrance hole in the "roof" (aka the bottom) of the bowl. Any dampness rising up goes out that way easy as anything. :)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I avoid any issue of condensation with our plastic hides by putting the entrance hole in the "roof" (aka the bottom) of the bowl. Any dampness rising up goes out that way easy as anything. :)

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That's a good idea too. I haven't checked it today. She's been sleeping in it. I am headed to the pet store to get some supplies for cleaning day if she sheds tomorrow. I did drop the humidity a little from 70 to 60. trying to keep it a little drier to lessen the moistness until she sheds, and I can do a full clean.

Ya good point frankykeno. that may work as well