Too Humid?

[AmandaJ]

Our ball pythons are settling in, but I'm worried about the humidity in their tubs. Before we picked up the snakes, temps were running 78 ambient/ 91 hotspot/ 82 cool (as measured by AccuRite and verified with temp gun), with 53% humidity. After we put the animals into the tub, the humidity spiked to over 70%. In response I first moved the water dish completely off the hot spot; when that had little effect over several hours we then added additional ventilation. Now they're running the same temp-wise, but humidity's still at 64 - 67%.

I've seen no condensation inside the tubs, and I'm watching their water bowls (4.5 inch diameter, half full) and they haven't spilled them. Are we okay, or do I need to add more ventilation? I'm somewhat hesitant as I don't want to risk lowering their ambient temps (although I've jacked up our central heat for our reptiles' comfort so if I have to do more I'll survive).

Anyway, thoughts? They seem content for the most part, i.e. invisible except last night Scales was cruising a couple times. But otherwise, they're in their hides (either cool or warm -- the female is mostly in the warm, the male is mostly in the cool).

[Annarose15]

You probably need to spot-clean or change the bedding. Humidity spikes "for no reason" usually indicate urination.

[ballpythonluvr]

64% to 67% is not that bad. As long as the substrate is not soaking wet and there is no condensation in the tub then you will be fine. What type of substrate are you using?

[AmandaJ]

I'm using paper towels -- they're new snakes and although I trust the folks I got them from, I wanted to be able to watch for mites and stuff (so far so good), so white paper towels seemed like the best choice.

I've been trying not to disturb them since we just picked them up on Saturday (well, as much as one can "not disturb" snakes when you have to take them out in order to melt additional ventilation holes into their environments and so forth), but I did check the paper towels and I didn't feel they were wet. I'll still change them out this evening in case I missed something.

[SRMD]

as long as there is no condensation in the tub then you will be fine.

I x2 this ^^^

My humidity stays at 67-70% it has been like this for about 2 months and my Ball is fine and eats perfectly

[RoseyReps]

I have similar humidity, being in central Florida our humidity is both a blessing and a curse I haven't had any issues thus far with mine at ~60-65%, and when one of mine "goes" you can see the condensation on the tubs from across the room. (with paper towels anyways)

[AmandaJ]

Thanks y'all

And Tiffany, good to know I'm not alone with my Central FL humidity! Goodness, I swear, if it's not making my hair stand out like I have an 80's perm it's threatening to wreak havoc on my snakes

[AmandaJ]

The 64-ish humidity is apparently par for the course because when I got home tonight my female's tub was still at 64, but my male's had spiked to 70% thanks to a little, fresh "present" he made for me. Good thing I was already going to change out their paper towel substrates! So I switched those out and the male, too, is back down at 64.

I have every belief my little female is going to leave me a similar present in short order, judging from how much wider her tail seemed than Scales's this evening. But on the plus side there's no foul blast (unlike from the gifts my cats leave in the litter box). I can live with this