Humidity.

[k8nkane]

My humidity has actually been a little high for the past couple of weeks (65-70%) but because I live in Michigan and it's the middle of winter, I haven't wanted to do too much about lowering it.

Well, it finally lowered (plummeted) -- in time for my BP Pablo to start going into shed and now I'm struggling to get it back up to shed-appropriate humidity levels in time. It hovers at about 50-51% according to my Accurite and that's after misting the tank just a few hours ago and placing his water dish on the hot side. I honestly have no idea what happened to make the humidity drop like that, as I haven't changed anything I do except I switched to a smaller hide on the cool side and added more foliage.

Set up is the following:

Shot of the tank as a whole



Cool side



Hot side



Accurite reading as of 5-10 mins ago



20 gal tank with coco fiber substrate. For temps, CHE on a dimmer + space heater + tin foil on screen that I admittedly need to redo because it got dinged up pretty good in the move I made two weeks ago. I don't have identical hides in appearance, but they are the same size. I've heard you can put a wet towel on top of the screen to help with humidity, but I'm not sure how that would work with my CHE on top. As for a humid hide, is it too late to put one in there? I don't want to risk upsetting him so close to shed by adding something new in his tank now that his eyes are blue.

Since my ex dropped Pablo in my lap ~a month ago, Pablo has been remarkably well-adjusted as I've struggled to get his environment set up right with little in-depth knowledge of snake care previously. He's eaten so well for me, not missing a meal, and I want his shed to go just as well and I feel like I'm letting him down despite all the stuff I've read.

[The Serpent Merchant]

The coco fiber substrate dried out. you can remove everything from the enclosure (including the snake) and pour some hot water on it. (enough to moisten all of it nut not enough to turn it into a swamp)

This will solve your problem.

[k8nkane]

Ok, I got the coco fiber on advice from a local reptile store (yes, I know). It's the expandable type in water. He told me to keep half of it wet and the other half dry. But then I read online about scale rot because of moist substrate and thought I'd been told wrong as often happens; that's why I let it dry out.

So the coco fiber is supposed to be wet (but not swampy, I understand)?

[The Serpent Merchant]

it shouldn't be "wet" to the touch, but "moist" if that makes sense. basically keep it dark colored and not light brown.

You can (and should) let it dry out when your snake isn't in shed, 50% humidity is more than enough. its just during shed that he will need more.

[k8nkane]

Ok, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. :-) Good to know it was more about timing than anything else.

[The Serpent Merchant]

No problem

[k8nkane]

Followed your advice and the humidity is at 67% now. Again, thanks. I never would've thought of the substrate b/c of my worries of scale rot.