Humidity in boa's tank

[meganlavoie14]

Hi all,
I have a 5 ft boa and I'm having a hard time keeping humidity where it should be. Her substrate is pretty much wet from me trying to keep the moisture in. Heat temps are perfect. There is a fogger that seems to not even do anything.
It does seem to climb at night when I turn the basking light off. She has a kitty litter box as a water bowl that is a decent size. I'm really stumped on how to get the humidity up without constantly pouring water in the tank.
TIA!

[WhompingWillow]

How are you measuring humidity, with a stick on one or a digital hygrometer?

[Craiga 01453]

What substrate are you using? Wet substrate is not good and can lead to scale rot.

What type enclosure?

[meganlavoie14]

The ones you stick to the glass.

[Craiga 01453]

The ones you stick to the glass.

Unfortunately those are wildly inaccurate, up to 15%.

It's definitely worth getting a decent digital thermometer/hygrometer. I use Accurite brand found at Walmart or Amazon. Around $10 each. I have two in each enclosure.

[meganlavoie14]

I used a mixture of reptisoil and something else but I forgot the brand lol. It has moss mixed in the mixture so that soil itself should be holding humidity. I also add moss to the sides of the cage and get those wet/

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I will check my local walmart, thanks!

[Craiga 01453]

I used a mixture of reptisoil and something else but I forgot the brand lol. It has moss mixed in the mixture so that soil itself should be holding humidity. I also add moss to the sides of the cage and get those wet/

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I will check my local walmart, thanks!

Ok, that substrate sounds good. What type enclosure?

If you actually go to Walmart they're found in the indoor/outdoor gardening type area of the store

[meganlavoie14]

Thanks I will give it a try tonight and see if it is more accurate. It is a glass enclosure. I try and cover some of the top screen as well to keep humidity in. Maybe it's just the meters wrong. IDK why it's so moist in there but the humidity reads always around 40% I will also switch her substrate to more fresh and dry and will avoid getting the substrate itself wet.

[Craiga 01453]

Thanks I will give it a try tonight and see if it is more accurate. It is a glass enclosure. I try and cover some of the top screen as well to keep humidity in. Maybe it's just the meters wrong. IDK why it's so moist in there but the humidity reads always around 40% I will also switch her substrate to more fresh and dry and will avoid getting the substrate itself wet.

It sounds like you're on the right track. Glass can be tough to get temps and humidity dialed in, especially during winter months. But it can be done with a few tweaks.

I wrap my glass enclosures in 1/2" foam board insulation. I cover the back, sides and top (leaving room for a heat lamp and a little air flow.
The insulation locks heat in, which allows the heat sources to run less. Less artificial heat = less evaporation so less humidity loss. It also saves on the electric bill.

Covering the screen top as much as possible will go a long way too. And if you've got room to add a second water bowl that will help as well.

...and like you said, due to the hygrometer being inaccurate your humidity may already be perfect??

[meganlavoie14]

Thanks for everything, was very helpful. If you have any info on breeding I have another forum I posted in the BP breeding section that I could use some info on.