Help with humidity?

[TheDragonSteps]

I just adopted a male, normal ball python from a breeder last Friday. I named him Dragon. He was born July 2, 2013 (2 months and 19 days old today). He is quite the little character and very spunky. The breeder kept him in a small, shoe box size tub on paper towels. I didn't ask how he heated it or kept his humidity up. I thought I would give Dragon a bigger home and placed him in a 51 quart tub with holes in the side and the lid (the holes aren't small or many, about 10 altogether, each a little smaller than a dime. Inside he has 2 cardboard hides (one on the warm, one on the cool), a water bowl, a 10-20 gallon UTH made by ZooMed, thermometer/humidity gauge in one, and paper towels as substrate. His temperature stays between 75-80. I found out that Dragon likes to climb so I plan on getting things for him to climb on in there (like those thick, wooden logs they sell in pet stores). My issue has been the humidity. I read that optimum is 40%-60%. I can spray it a lot (probably too much, it gets the paper towels wet) then close the lid and get about 60% humidity for the next 20 minutes. After that it quickly goes down to 40% then 30% and about 3 hours later there is no humidity to speak of. Also if I remove the lid anytime I go to take Dragon out, the humidity goes to zilch. I don't like having to spray as much as I do. I don't want to risk him developing scale rot. I have even attempted covering a good portion of the holes with tape, but the humidity didn't improve. I live in Tampa, Florida so it's not like it's extremely cold. We have humidity outside in handfuls >.> Is his tub too large for him? He seems too active and miserable in smaller tubs :/ and there's not much for him to climb on when you're in smaller tubs. I do have a spare 10 gallon tank that I could get a lid for, but I don't have the funds to go out and buy a larger tank than that. I've heard that tanks don't hold humidity nearly as well as tubs tho. So what should I do? Smaller tub? More holes, less holes? Any tips on increasing humidity or improving Dragon's home is greatly appreciated

[wienkeg]

My first recommendation would be to get a digital hygrometer, the little dual analog ones from zoomed tend to be inaccurate. It's quite possible your humidity is higher than you think, especially considering you're in Florida. Walmart sells them for about $12.

Fewer holes would tend to hold the humidity in. Might try using coconut husk (ecoearth) substrate, as it will retain moisture better.

Good luck!

[TheDragonSteps]

Thank you for answering my post. I went and purchased coconut fiber bedding tonight and so far, it seems to be keeping the humidity higher. I haven't had it in his enclosure long enough to really tell for sure if it will keep the humidity going but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I do have quite a few more supplies I need to purchase in order to have him completely set up. I'm just glad that I'm able to post things to this forum and have answers from other python enthusiasts. It's not always easy getting experience and correct answers out of people on other sites. Thanks again.

[vangarret2000]

For balls you don't need to worry about humidity as much as people do unless you come from a very dry area. You should be fine where you live. You don't even need to worry about his humidity levels or need to spray his tank at all and he will be fine.

BUT when he is going into shed you would need to bump up his humidity during this time to make sure he has a proper shed. When it happens you don't need to worry about the level either, just cover the majority of the top of the tank with a plastic bag and spray it down once a day until he sheds.

If you are worried about humidity you can also just give him a humid hide and he can regulate it how he wants. Just get a Tupperware with a lid big enough and cut a little hole for him to get in or out and put some damp moss inside. Again you don't need to worry about %'s with the hide. Just keep it most and if he want it humid he can go in, I he doesn't he can get out.

[Neal]

My first recommendation would be to get a digital hygrometer, the little dual analog ones from zoomed tend to be inaccurate. It's quite possible your humidity is higher than you think, especially considering you're in Florida. Walmart sells them for about $12.

Fewer holes would tend to hold the humidity in. Might try using coconut husk (ecoearth) substrate, as it will retain moisture better.

Good luck!

Actually even the ones from walmart are inaccurate. If you want an accurate hydrometer they sell one that can be calibrated and it's an analog one. I unfortunately don't have a link to it off hand and I'm on my cell phone so I can't find it. I'll repost with the link once I can get to it.

[Bugmom]

Actually even the ones from walmart are inaccurate. If you want an accurate hydrometer they sell one that can be calibrated and it's an analog one. I unfortunately don't have a link to it off hand and I'm on my cell phone so I can't find it. I'll repost with the link once I can get to it.

Hey Neal, don't suppose you could give us that link? I need a hygrometer and the online reviews for the ones I'm finding are just so-so. Thanks!