When to raise humidity

[L.West]

Is it okay to raise the humidity to 70% with the first sign of an upcoming shed. My girls belly is pink so I know a shed is in the works - I immediately up the humidity to 70% - just wanted to make sure this isn't going to cause any harm.

So basically, the humidity will remain at or near 70% for about a week - just wanted to make sure this wouldn't cause an RI or something.

Thanks.

[ballpythonluvr]

This will be just fine. Both my male normal and pastel hatchling male are in shed and I am using cypress mulch bedding and the humditiy is at 75%. You should have not have any worries.

[Alexandra V]

That shouldn't cause RI at all. IMO high humidity is really far from likely to cause a respiratory infection unless it's in addition to other husbandry issues.

And I personally raise the humidity as soon as I notice them going blue or getting a pink belly, and keep it high until they shed. So it can be anywhere from a week to two weeks, depending on when I catch them in the cycle. What you're doing sounds perfect

[kitedemon]

I just keep mine at 60% all the time and have no issues at all. I don't bother to try to raise it.

[mkeller13]

I agree with the above comments. It's the really low humidity that we need to be concerned about as far as stuck sheds and RI's.

[isanta666]

i agree. as long as your temps are good 70% is fine. It is another story if the temps are really low

[kitedemon]

There is little to no published evidence that low humidity has anything to do with RI other than causing stress that leads to a depressed immune system. High humidity is mentioned by a number reptile vets (Rossi and Klingenburg to name two) in conjunction with low ventilation. Most bacteria live in hot humid environments not dry ones (most) and same for most fungi and flora generally do better in rain forest type environments than desert type. Humidity is not the issue but poor air flow AND humidity, this makes an ideal growing medium for many bacteria and many flora and these are what cause RI. Be wary of making a petri dish environment for your snake. If it smells close, damp and musty there could be a problem.

[Smoked Oyster]

My house is always over 80% as i live less than 1 mile from the beach, and both myself and somone i know nearby havent had any issues. I would be hard pressed to get humidity to 60% if i tried.

[kitedemon]

ventilation and humidity...