Newby here with first ball python!

[kameo37]

Do you have the top covered? I read a sticky on here about how to modify a tank for a BP and it has worked like a charm for me. I cover most of the top up with foil and then put a dish towel over that, per instructions from the sticky.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Thanks! I might actually give this a try, I for some reason having a hard time keeping the humidity above 40%. What are some easier or other ways to keep the humidity up, other than using a spray bottle?

The simplest ways are to:

1. Use a different substrate, Cypress Mulch and Eco-Earth will boost your humidity more than just about anything else

2. cover part of the screen top of your cage. By covering 60% - 80% of the screen top you will hold in more the the humidity already in the cage

3. Get a bigger water dish/more than one water dish. The more surface area of water you have in the cage the more humidity will be released.

4. Mist the cage with warm water. There is a difference between a wet cage and a humid cage. By misting with warm water you will get more humidity per spray.

[Ronin]

I will try the foil with a dish towel over that and see how that goes. I am using that repi bark right now and I thought that was suppose to help keep the humidity in. Is this not the case?

[The Serpent Merchant]

I will try the foil with a dish towel over that and see how that goes. I am using that repi bark right now and I thought that was suppose to help keep the humidity in. Is this not the case?

repti-bark is a high humidity substrate. But with any substrate you have to keep it damp otherwise it's useless (just don't keep it too wet as that can cause issues as well)

[MsMissy]

It's not bad but Eco earth and cypress mulch are better. I use a combo of reptibark and Eco because I like the looks better. I also live in a very dry location and utilize every tip Aaron listed. You must be pretty Far East in Washington to not have natural humidity helping you above 50 % ?

[Ronin]

Thanks I'll check that Eco earth and cypress mulch. I actually live on the west side of the mountaojns just above Seattle. I don't know why the humidity drops so much. I just covered half of the top of the tank with foil and cloth. I'll see how that hold up after a while.