What do you do with Humid Hide when not in shed?

[gunkle]

So I've read that a humid hide can help during sheds if your humidity isn't spot on. I've also read not to leave it in when they are not in shed if your humidity isn't too far off. What do you do with it the rest of the time? Do most people throw the moss away, or keep it moist during the "down time"? If you hang on to it does it grow mold or anything? is there anything to do to it to keep it safe for future use? So far my humidity is within range but want to be prepared in case I need to use a humid hide. I am starting off with 2 BP's so I won't have a lot that I could just transfer it from home to home.

[Bogertophis]

If your snake seems to use it after shedding, I'd just re-saturate it & let him use it as he wants to. It will dry out, check at least weekly when you spot-clean.

If you add snakes they should not share the moss as that would violate quarantine & could share mites etc. Only IF you're certain both your snakes are in
perfect health? -which is actually impossible because diseases can hide very well, so it's best they don't share it. Just use it for a while & replace when it's
ragged. You'll know. Mine doesn't get moldy...if yours does, toss it.

[Sonny1318]

I like to supplement my humidity during sheds, I’ve used sphagnum moss for as long as I can remember. With boas and pythons. I like to grab a decent handful, wet throughly and give a good squeeze, leaving it damp but not dripping. Rewetting with a spray bottle as needed. I have never had issue with it growing mold, nor have I ever really attempted to reuse it either. But I don’t see why not, just most snakes defecate after/while shedding. But I do highly recommend it, depending on your setup and actual location (city, state different weather conditions). It can be quite beneficial in helping in bad humidity situations.

[Bogertophis]

My snakes are trained to never poop in their moss , but for sure, don't try to wash & re-use it if they do. (good point, Sonny!)

[gunkle]

Thank you. Another question. Leaving it in the cage doesn't risk scale rot or RI? as long as its not too wet I'm guessing hence the squeeze and make sure not dripping.

[Bogertophis]

No risk...damp moss has lots of air circulation. My Aussie spotted python spends most of her "hide" time in the humid hide she has, not the regular warm or cool
hides without moisture. She needs it to shed well, but prefers it all the rest of the time too. She uses the other hides, but the humid one is her favorite. So see
what your snake chooses.

[gunkle]

I've been reading like crazy and you folks here are awesome. Thanks for answering I tried searching but you get a lot of hits about humid hides and most are telling people to use them or how to make them. No one really talks about what happens after the shed is done as far as the hide is concerned. I saw a few people saying to take them out due to potential for issues (I think these were rather old posts and You tube videos). So I figured I'd ask.

2 Weeks and counting to go..... My kids have been watching snake YouTube videos like crazy, they are so excited.

Edit: I have been monitoring their videos to make sure they were instructional, responsible and safety/care positive.

[Crowfingers]

I keep a moist hide in his cage at all times. He usually only uses it when in shed and to urinate in :/
I change the moss weekly or when soiled.
The moist hide also offers a bit of a back up for the times that his humidity drops when I'm at work or away overnight. The lowest it has gotten is 45 when I had to go out of town overnight. I had it at 65 the morning I left, and made sure the moist hide was available and moist. It makes me feel better that he has somewhere to go if needed though.

[Jmarshall]

Be careful with YouTube videos.. there is quite a bit of poor information out there as well as flat out neglect. I’d suggest watching Sbake Discovery’s ball python guide. She discusses their set up and mentions humid hide as well. I also like Clint’s Reptiles videos. He is also very knowledgeable and has good information.

[Dianne]

I’ve been using Reptile Prime in my humid hides, left in all the time. The humidity just gets zapped as long as I’m running the heat, but this has been a good way to give it a boost. I add water as needed. No mold issues so far, but two of my bps use it like a litter box so I’ve completely changed those.