Let humidity drop to 10-20% and only bump it to 50-60% when about to shed (success)

[redshepherd]

Watch what Brian Grundy has to say about humidity and let me know what you think

https://youtu.be/nP8RKNN0Wmo

I watched it and here's my comments:

60%~high humidity with a dry substrate and good ventilation doesn't promote bad bacteria. It's stagnant air and poor ventilation and damp stuff in the enclosure that causes problems. You know the humidity in Ghana where ball pythons are native is constantly 70~90% or more throughout the year.

He never once brought up his actual humidity in his snake room. Depending on where he lives, perhaps the humidity in his home is 40~50% anyway, and that's still within decent range outside of shedding, where I assume he adds a humid hide. But your 10% humidity is extremely low, and it's always best to provide known and proven good care, IMO at least 40% humidity in the enclosure, than to experiment with a life.

If he doesn't provide humid hides AND doesn't pay attention to humidity, I guarantee you the humidity in his home is at least 60% and lucky him just doesn't realize it. If you haven't seen a ball python have a poor shed yet, they always will at around 50% or lower humidity if they don't have a humid hide/hole. That's just what happens to them.

There's no real evidence that low humidity causes RI though, even though it's speculated.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Watch what Brian Grundy has to say about humidity and let me know what you think

Don't agree with the back/belly heat when you have a heated room....
Also, Do you know what the average humidity in Campbell California is??

[redshepherd]

Don't agree with the back/belly heat when you have a heated room....
Also, Do you know what the average humidity in Campbell California is??

^ I don't agree with that either, it's like some old myth that terrestrial snakes require belly heat. It looks like he forgot RHP and heated rooms exist.

[Godzilla78]

Brian Gundy....well, let's just say I question his intellectual abilities.

[AbsoluteApril]

I'm sorry but I don't get the bashing on Brian, he's a really nice guy and takes wonderful care of his animals. I've known him for a long time (although we don't talk directly any longer now that the local bay area CA reptile people don't all hang out on KS). I don't agree with him that snakes *have* to have belly heat but it's one of those things - different things work for different people. I guess there's something going on I'm not aware of? I just felt is was uncalled for.
And yes we average 50%+ natural humidity here in the Bay Area.

**
back to the OP - When I lived in Las Vegas for a few years, I had horrible humidity issues and lost my two GTPs and a baby BRB because of it. Almost lost one of my ATBs. My other boas, ATBs and adult BRB were okay in the long run but it was a constant struggle. I ended up having to mist every other day as well as keep a fish tank in the snake room to keep humidity up (didn't have a humidifier but if I still lived there, I would have got one). I'd still get bad sheds from time to time.
So yes, they can handle it, especially somewhat hardier species, but I wouldn't recommend it and it may cause issues in the long run. Please be careful.

[Godzilla78]

I'm sorry but I don't get the bashing on Brian, he's a really nice guy and takes wonderful care of his animals. I've known him for a long time (although we don't talk directly any longer now that the local bay area CA reptile people don't all hang out on KS). I don't agree with him that snakes *have* to have belly heat but it's one of those things - different things work for different people. I guess there's something going on I'm not aware of? I just felt is was uncalled for.
And yes we average 50%+ natural humidity here in the Bay Area.

**
back to the OP - When I lived in Las Vegas for a few years, I had horrible humidity issues and lost my two GTPs and a baby BRB because of it. Almost lost one of my ATBs. My other boas, ATBs and adult BRB were okay in the long run but it was a constant struggle. I ended up having to mist every other day as well as keep a fish tank in the snake room to keep humidity up (didn't have a humidifier but if I still lived there, I would have got one). I'd still get bad sheds from time to time.
So yes, they can handle it, especially somewhat hardier species, but I wouldn't recommend it and it may cause issues in the long run. Please be careful.

He is obviously a successful snake-keeper, no question. His educational videos, and his narrow-minded advice are poor quality in my humble opinion.

[leocrespo]

I appreciate the criticism, thanks for all the feedback. Perhaps the reason I'm not getting bad sheds or any problems is that indoor humidity never gets to < 30-40, even though outside is 10-15. Or perhaps reptichip is keeping it above 50%. I've had many good sheds and all animals are doing fine.

Is it possible that we are over estimating the importance of constant humidity?

[Godzilla78]

I appreciate the criticism, thanks for all the feedback. Perhaps the reason I'm not getting bad sheds or any problems is that indoor humidity never gets to < 30-40, even though outside is 10-15. Or perhaps reptichip is keeping it above 50%.I've had many good sheds and all animals are doing fine.

Is it possible that we are over estimating the importance of constant humidity?

[SaucyMeatMan]

This has to be a troll. No one could possibly be this negligent.

[Momokahn]

I appreciate the criticism, thanks for all the feedback. Perhaps the reason I'm not getting bad sheds or any problems is that indoor humidity never gets to < 30-40, even though outside is 10-15. Or perhaps reptichip is keeping it above 50%. I've had many good sheds and all animals are doing fine.

Is it possible that we are over estimating the importance of constant humidity?

Totally confused here. Your original post says you let humidity drop to 10-15%. By using the word letting I assumed you were in complete control of the humidity in your snakes cage. Your latest post states 10 to 15% is the outdoor humidity with 30 to 40% humidity inside with a spritz of repticbips thrown in now to possibly have 50% humidity inside your cage. Both of my arms will go verticaly straight up at the conclusion of this post.....I give up. Are we over estimating the importance of humidity? I'm not sure if that should be the question. The question should be do you really understand what you are posting? If so that is your right and I'm cool with that. I will just make sure never draft a speech for me or let you baby sit any of my snakes. Ever thought about a pet cactus?