Low Humidity

[Parcham79]

I can't maintain a good humidity for the snake. I have sphagnum moss in the cage and I always check to see that it is moist. I also spray the cage with mist to about 70% but it drops back down to about 40% within an hour. How can I keep the humidity up and what health issues does low humidity cause?

[kitedemon]

Larger water bowl...

[satomi325]

Aside from a larger water bowl, you can place your water bowl over the UTH.
You can also cover the top of your enclosure with plexiglass, tin foil, or a damp towel.

[jnoh]

2 water bowls if ur cage is large enough haha

[amgbabyboi]

larger water bowl and UTH.

[KrazyKevin]

Using a damp towel works great for me

[LLLReptile]

Has the snake shed for you? If so, was it in multiple pieces, or just one?

I have noticed among local customers that sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on the number on the dial, and not enough placed on the snake itself. If the snake is shedding in one piece, then it is getting adequate humidity, regardless of what the dial says. The reverse is also true - if it's shedding in pieces, it's not able to get adequate humidity to shed correctly, regardless of what the dial says.

I would hesitate to put the water bowl over the heat; while that will create warmer water, it also creates a more suitable place for bacteria to develop, and some snakes do not like to drink from the warm water.
You can try creating more humid microclimates within the cage - get the moss nice and wet, and pack it underneath one or two of the hiding spots within the cage. Mist the cage down in general as normal, but make sure that the moss in the hiding spots remains damp to the touch. This gives your snake choices within the cage to choose the environment it needs most, and will help prevent any health issues from too high or not high enough humidity.

-Jen

[Parcham79]

Thanks I'm probably going to start by increasing the water bowl size.

I recently purchased my ball python and he has not shed for me yet, I am just going off of the gauges so if i try to raise the humidity and it doesn't work I will just wait to see how healthy he sheds.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I highly recommend that you get one of these from Walmart for $12, the dial type hygrometers/thermometers do not work. these measure 2 temperatures and humidity all in one package:

[LLLReptile]

Thanks I'm probably going to start by increasing the water bowl size.

I recently purchased my ball python and he has not shed for me yet, I am just going off of the gauges so if i try to raise the humidity and it doesn't work I will just wait to see how healthy he sheds.

That's pretty much the best way to go about it. Sounds like you have the right concepts going within your cage, from this point it's waiting to see how he sheds and if what you're doing is working. Good luck!

-Jen