Question About Moist Hide

[BP-NJ]

I am new here although I have been lurking for some time to learn about setting up for our new arrival, who will be arriving this week. Before I go on to my question, I must say that this site has been wonderful as a source of information for new owners such as myself! I have never seen such a patient group of people on a forum like this, who answer the same questions over and over with such enthusiasm for their species. You are doing a great service to BPs and their owners! Thank you!

We have everything set up in the 10 gallon tank for our hatchling. We have an under the tank heater and a ceramic heater above the tank, both controlled by a thermostat. The "open" side of the screen top has a foam cardboard top, covered with foil. The back has a cork backdrop inside that looks like bark. Both sides have more of the foam poster board attached to the outside. For substrate, we are using a reptile carpet for now. (I know that's not the best but my husband, who had a BP before, insisted that it is what he wants to use.. He does understand the necessity to keep it clean..)

The temps are being regulated very well on both sides of the tank but the humidity is a little low. (right now is at 36%.. but it varies) We have a water bowl in the middle of the tank (partially on the cool and warm sides.) Having read that a moist hide can help with that, we purchased an Exo-Terra snake hide with moss inside. My question is, do you put the moist hide on the warm side or the cool side? Should we keep it in the tank at all times or only for shed? If we do keep it in there all the time, should we leave a third hide in case our baby doesn't want the moisture and would have a choice of which to go into on whichever side the moist hide should be placed?

Again, thanks for all of the useful information I have gotten from a great group of breeders and owners!

[snakesRkewl]

My friends who use humid hides let them dry out after the shed, and then re-moisten it as soon as they see the snake enter shed mode.

I believe they keep it on the warm side, since it will add to the humidity of the whole tank if kept warm.

And welcome to the forums

[jason79]

Try moveing the water bowl under the "CHE" I bet that brings it up. you will have to fill it more often though or use a larger bowl.

[dr del]

Hi,

When I needed to use a humid hide I had it as the "extra" hide in the middle of the tank.

That way the snake still had the two hides to thermoregulate in and wasn't forced to use a hide more humid than he wanted just to thermoregulate.

To help with the humidity you could put tinfoil over all the lid except the bit with the ceramic heater. I wouldn't use the cardboard as, if it is open cardboard on the inside of the tank that might actually soak up humidity slightly, and it is a little more of a fire risk for no real gain.

I would also put the foam poster board on the bottom and back of the tank - it might not make much of a difference but, if you're lucky it might let you do away with the ceramic - which should solve the humidity problem I think.

And big props for getting all this set up before the animal is in residence.


dr del

[DaveR]

Hi and welcome to BP.net!

In the research I have done, I have read a humidity hide should be placed in between the warm and cool side. I placed a humidity hide in for mine, but she did not have any interest in it. So I switched things up as she is in shed and it has been working perfectly. I build up around 2" of moss over half of the tank, covering her warm side completely, then cover that with aspen. The moss holds the moisture extremely well, keeping the humidity up without over spraying or blocking off the ventilation.

I replied to the post here temps in tanks and explain what I do in a bit more detail if you are interested. Or send me a message and Ill send you any info/data I have.

And a big thumbs up for being 100% ready for your new addition!!! I cant wait to see some pictures when you get him/her! Congrats! Cheers!

[BP-NJ]

Our new hatchling is a him. He's a lovely VIP Axanthic boy from Jon Courtney's recent hatch at Cold Blooded Addiction. I'll post photos once he's here--if I can figure out how.

[Boanerges]

You got some good info here. But I would like to say welcome and congrats on your new boy

[BP-NJ]

Oops! I meant he's a VPI Axanthic... My typing fingers tripped over themselves...

Thanks to everyone for the replies!

[jjmitchell]

Congrats on the new boy... I absolutly love axanthics and every thing I have seen from cold blooded addiction is amazing. I give my snakes a bath in warm water from time to time to help with shed, and moving water bowl to hot end will help with humidity.