Humid Hide (Scale Rot?)

[Patricia]

Since we use a heat lamp to bring up the temps on the cool side and it's on more now that winter's approaching, the humidity has dropped to 38-45. (Even with having a wet paper towel on top of each hide and covering most of the top with a towel.) I'd like to create a humid hide.

First, how do I do that? From what I read, do I just put wet sphagnum moss inside a hide?

Second, I've also read that a damp substrate can cause scale rot. But isn't damp substrate exactly what we're creating in a humid hide?

I must be misunderstanding something and sure would appreciate some guidance.

[Kaorte]

Damp sphagnum moss or damp paper towels work. They will only get scale rot if they are sitting in damp bedding for a long period of time. A few days isn't enough to cause scale rot.

Just make sure to rehydrate or change out the humid hide contents every couple days to prevent mold from growing.

[SixSnakes]

I have humid hides for all my balls. I use spagnum moss. Scale rot tends to happen if the conditions are filthy. The balls never poop in their hides, and I tend to replace the moss periodically. I never have had a problem.

As for making one, I have never done this. I have the Exo Terra rock cave things. I love 'em and so do the snakes!

[Moofins07]

I started using damp paper towels in both my BPs hides the second I noticed she was going to start her shed cycle, at the "pink belly" stage. Her precious shed had been BAD BAD BAD. I'd literally had to peel almost the whole thing off for her.

But THIS last shed, just yesterday, was MUCH better. One fairly large whole piece about two-thirds of her body, headpiece/eyecaps n' all, and only a small section was left on her tail, which I helped her out with. A little paper towel goes a long way!

[Patricia]

Thanks for the suggestions. Thank goodness the fog has rolled in and the humidity is up to 60, even with the heat lamp on! Patriot's eyes are blue, so we really need humidity this week.

[Dianna]

Thanks for bringing this up, Patricia... This is a topic I have been thinking about a lot lately as I have also been trying to keep the humidity up now that winter is really here.