Columbian Boa Husbandry Headache

[Chaoticpythons]

*Please move if this needs to go somewhere else on the forum*

With that being said, I am getting pretty upset with how hard it is to keep the temps, humidity, etc correct. Please, if you have advice give me it. Lol. At this point I am willing to try anything. Now I will tell you about my set up.

I have my boa in a 29 gal tank, I know . Tanks aren't meant for snakes, but right now it is all I can do. I have the tank flipped on its side, so the lid is facing you when you stand in front of it. Which has also helped give her some more room. When I first got this snake, I was just using paper towels as she was just a hatchling and when I had got her she came from a bad situation. As she got a little bigger, I wanted something that looked nicer, and that she couldn't crinkle and ass all up but that would also help with the humidity. So, I ended up getting eco-earth. Followed the directions, soaked the brick, etc. I tried three different bricks, every time I used it, there was mites. As soon as I took it away, and treated. No mites. Three different times. So I stopped using it. I went back to paper towels, but with the paper towels, not only do they look bad but I can't get the humidity past 40% no matter how much misting I do. Two days ago I found some bricks that the company sent me for free after I sent an email telling them about my experience, so I used one. This time.... Wait for it.... MOLD everywhere. All over the bedding only 24-36 hours after putting it in. So I took it all out, and now we are back with paper towels, and very inadequate humidity.
Can someone please give me some advice? I want to get her a nice enclosure, but I just can't afford it right now. She has also become rather pissy, and I am guessing it is because of the humidity etc not being where it needs to be. Thank you in advance.

[Chaoticpythons]

Looking for bedding suggestions mainly.

[frostysBP]

Try cypress much i use it in my boa tanks with no problems

[ladywhipple02]

I would try using cypress mulch. I use it for all my critters as it holds humidity well. Beware: if you get a bag of mulch from outside, you may want to bake it for bugs. But I've never had a problem and it works great.

[Chaoticpythons]

I have used it before, I didn't like it. Just too course and sharp pieces for my liking. What are your takes on aspen?

[Gio]

I can't picture your tank, but if it is flipped on it's side I presume you have some type of slide in glass or acrylic cover? If not and you have just a screen there you will never get your humidity correct.

It's critical you look for a proper cage, but for starters, cypress is excellent substrate and holds a lot of moisture. If you buy the reptile grade cypress it won't contain other types of shavings. Aspen is pretty worthless for humidity.

Cypress is just fine for boas, and is similar to the floor in their natural environment. Wild species of snakes ingest all sorts of debris when eating. If it's a major concern for you, lay some news print down prior to feeding and then remove it.

Adding a larger, or second water bowl may also help, along with some moss placed in the corners of the tank. You can make a "humid hide" that is made with moss put into a plastic container with a cover, cut a hole in the top so the snake can go in and out during shed phases.

Proper husbandry is the key to a healthy snake. Mistakes that go unchecked lead to immune system diminishment, and that opens up the door to all of the problems/infections that you often read about. Rarely will you hear about somebody with spot on husbandry that has a boa that suddenly becomes ill, note I said rarely.

You may want to check some of your local classified adds. Very often people leave this hobby and sell everything for very affordable prices.

Without seeing your tank, it's hard to offer advice.

Are you heating with lights?
What is the ambient room temp?
Are you using a thermostat?
Does the glass tank have any insulation?
Do you have an under tank heater?

If you took the snake out of a bad situation, the last thing you want to do is create another one even when your intentions are good.

Provide us with more info, and maybe somebody will have other ideas.

However, be prepared to have to purchase items you may not have, but will need.

[Chaoticpythons]

Answers are in bold.

I can't picture your tank, but if it is flipped on it's side I presume you have some type of slide in glass or acrylic cover? If not and you have just a screen there you will never get your humidity correct.,
Oh gosh, no its just a screen. I am gonna do the Tank Screen Top Foil Treatment from the sticky in the Caging Forum today. I don't know if this will help?

It's critical you look for a proper cage, but for starters, cypress is excellent substrate and holds a lot of moisture. If you buy the reptile grade cypress it won't contain other types of shavings. Aspen is pretty worthless for humidity.

Cypress is just fine for boas, and is similar to the floor in their natural environment. Wild species of snakes ingest all sorts of debris when eating. If it's a major concern for you, lay some news print down prior to feeding and then remove it.
Okay, I will try to order some cypress today then.

Adding a larger, or second water bowl may also help, along with some moss placed in the corners of the tank. You can make a "humid hide" that is made with moss put into a plastic container with a cover, cut a hole in the top so the snake can go in and out during shed phases.
I will try this.
Proper husbandry is the key to a healthy snake. Mistakes that go unchecked lead to immune system diminishment, and that opens up the door to all of the problems/infections that you often read about. Rarely will you hear about somebody with spot on husbandry that has a boa that suddenly becomes ill, note I said rarely.

You may want to check some of your local classified adds. Very often people leave this hobby and sell everything for very affordable prices.

Without seeing your tank, it's hard to offer advice.

Are you heating with lights? I am not heating with lights.
What is the ambient room temp? Generally 68-70
Are you using a thermostat? No. I am gonna get one.
Does the glass tank have any insulation? No
Do you have an under tank heater? Yes

If you took the snake out of a bad situation, the last thing you want to do is create another one even when your intentions are good.I know, thats why I am trying to get this straightened out.

Provide us with more info, and maybe somebody will have other ideas
I can post pictures of the tank if needed.

However, be prepared to have to purchase items you may not have, but will need.

[Gio]

OK,

You can get a Hydrofarm Thermostat on Amazon for about $30. Not the best, but an affordable and necessary option.

This thread may assist you a bit.

My son's royal is in a glass tank. Reflectix insulation will help with temps and humidity.
Use foil tape to secure it and wrap all sides. You can still use a decorative background.

The thread here has some pictures.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=reflectix

[Chaoticpythons]

Okay, so I flipped her cage back right side up, I did the lid, ordered the therostat. And gonna order the bedding. That still leaves me with the ambient temps too cool though. Only in the low 70s. What can I do for that? Heat bulb or? I know they dry the air..

[bcr229]

Okay, so I flipped her cage back right side up, I did the lid, ordered the therostat. And gonna order the bedding. That still leaves me with the ambient temps too cool though. Only in the low 70s. What can I do for that? Heat bulb or? I know they dry the air..

Either a heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter will work. They do dry the air but if you have a cover on the tank that will help keep the heat and humidity in. You can also use two water dishes - one on the warm side, the other on the cool side - and the evaporation from the warm side dish will help bump up humidity.

Rather than try to make the whole tank humid you can also make a humid hide. Get a food storage container that is just big enough for your snake, and cut an access hole in the lid. Put about half an inch of damp eco-earth in the storage container, put the lid on it, and that can go on the cool side of your tank. If you're having problems with bugs and mold in the eco-earth you can bake it in the oven to kill the spores, bugs, and eggs (make sure you take it out of the plastic first) before you use it.