80% humidity for BP, vet visit story?

[BCS]

My new Mojave got a RI, no biggy, just make an appointment with the vet, especially since she didn't look too bad I figured I caught it rather early. I was going to see the SPCA vet as they said I could have a discount but they were unable to make the time to see my Mojave (figures). My usual vet was booked till 24th of June so they recommended me to a different vet, even went as far as sending the new vet some of my records.

The new vet gave me two little booklets. One with information on salmonella, and the other titled "how to care for snakes". I have to admit that I did roll my eyes and shoved them in my purse to recycle later. While the vet was looking over my mojave she asked me about my temperatures. I told her the ambient temperature reaches about 86F and the heat pad is set to 92F. She said that the temperature was too high saying they need a temperature for 74-84F. I looked at her like she was stupid (it was a total reaction and not meant for her to see), she noticed and asked me to pull out the handout I shoved in my purse. I got it out and she flipped it to the very last page and outlined the temperature and humidity section for a BP. There is was, printed in ink, saying that studies showed ball pythons do better in temperatures of 74-84F. She then pointed to the humidity column. I was surprised when I read it should be 80%. I told her that that was too high. She argued her practices "research" and I dropped it simply saying "Okay". THEN (yes even more), she said all snakes need a UVB/UVA lighting. I again I looked at her like she was stupid. She mentioned that even though these snakes hide during the day, sunlight would still reach the python through the den opening in the wild.

I seriously felt like taking my sick little girl and waiting the two weeks to see my usual vet or even the SPCA vet. But I waited till I received the injections and left. Went home, gave my Mojave a shot and she is doing just fine with her 50% humidity, no sunlight, 86F temperature quarantine enclosure.

SO, have I really been doing this wrong the whole time? Has my usual vet really been telling me that my "doing an excellent job" was a lie, maybe to bring back service? I have had snakes for a few years now. All of them are doing fine and I have done some extensive research myself even before owning certain snakes.

[blk02ssmonte]

Not sure here either. I only know what I have read and it is the same as you read. I am sure at some point a more experienced keeper will speak out. I have only had snakes about 3 years now. All mine are doing great, even had one lay a clutch for me in april. They should be pipping any day as they are on day 59. If it aint broke don't fix it!

[BCS]

If it aint broke don't fix it!

Exactly right!

I have to say also, that her practice can't be any older then 5 years or so... so her studies are based in that time period when ball pythons live 30 or so years...

[DVirginiana]

If your vet has to consult a manual before treating your animal and can't cite scientific papers or medical case studies to back up what they're saying, it's time to find a new vet . I've had vets that had to basically go into the back room and look up info on the animal I was bringing in before, but they at least had the decency to tell me that they were going outside their realm of experience...

That person has no idea what they're talking about. 80% humidity is what I use for my tropical frogs and inverts, way too high for a BP. The substrate basically has to be soaked to get it that high. 50% may be on the low side for humidity, but I doubt it would cause a problem as long as you bump it a bit during the shed cycle. 86 may be on the higher end for ambient temp; I try to have a hotspot at 90 with roughly 80 ambient temp. However, again I don't believe that would be high enough to make them sick.

[KMG]

Who was it on here that would only listen to a vet, biologist, or something? This kinda proves what I said in that thread.

[BCS]

If your vet has to consult a manual before treating your animal and can't cite scientific papers or medical case studies to back up what they're saying, it's time to find a new vet . I've had vets that had to basically go into the back room and look up info on the animal I was bringing in before, but they at least had the decency to tell me that they were going outside their realm of experience...

That person has no idea what they're talking about. 80% humidity is what I use for my tropical frogs and inverts, way too high for a BP. The substrate basically has to be soaked to get it that high. 50% may be on the low side for humidity, but I doubt it would cause a problem as long as you bump it a bit during the shed cycle. 86 may be on the higher end for ambient temp; I try to have a hotspot at 90 with roughly 80 ambient temp. However, again I don't believe that would be high enough to make them sick.

I have owned this new BP for exactly two weeks today, she could have came to me sick or was stressed from the move. Either way I put her in quarantine like I do all my new snakes. My house is naturally (during spring and summer) 78 - 85F. It is super hot and uncomfortable. Yuck! I raise humidity between 60-70% when they are shedding.

Also, the vet did not look at a manual. They gave me a handout (could of sheets of paper stapled together) at the receptionist for me to read before being called into the vet. The vet wanted me to see it.

[nightrainfalls]

exactly what temperatures and humidity it needs, and at what times. People can write as many pamphlets and care sheets as they want, and they can argue with each other about care, and refer to the pamphlets and care sheets as proof. The BP is incapable of reading these pamphlets. Your BP also doesn't care what the pamphlet says, or what you or I think. Within certain limits, your BP is capable of deciding for itself, how much heat it needs and how much humidity it needs. In order to facilitate thermoregulation, it is best to provide a range of safe temps for the snake and let the snake decide. Providing high humidity hides will also allow the snake to decide what humidity it wants. It is best to let the snake decide what it wants within reason.

Obviously there are times when the snake's long evolved adaptations will not work in a captive environment, because the captive environment is too different from the wild environment. For example, many captive snakes are prone to over eating. Also snakes do not have adaptations to avoiding burning hot surfaces, so temps must be kept within safe ranges. BP's also do not have adaptions to deal with freezing temperatures. If a part of a cage was very cold it would be possible for a snake to become trapped in the cold area, and be unable to leave it.

David

[Lynchman18]

is that SPCA vet up in Redding? I own a house up there and am moving back probably after august sometime.. I think the vet there is named something simular

[BCS]

is that SPCA vet up in Redding? I own a house up there and am moving back probably after august sometime.. I think the vet there is named something simular

No, it is in Alberta Canada.

[bondo]

There are a LOT of different thoughts on ball python husbandry. You see just a small sampling here and most just point to a care sheet. I keep my ambient temp around 73-75. During the winter the ambient temp has even went into the high 60s. My hotspot is around 88. I know people that run similar temps and some people tell me my snakes will get sick the way I keep them. Well I have been keeping balls for just short of a decade now and no RI yet. Ball python husbandry is like everything else in life. If you hear info don't roll your eyes at it. Listen to it and take notes. There isn't always just one answer to everything. I feel ambient temps of 80 or more and a hotspot of 90+ is too hot. However if it works for you then stick to it.