what do people think about brian gundy's humidity recommendation ?

[illaoi]

Of course he is a prolific and successful ball python breeder.. at it for decades. He made a youtube video recently saying he is absolutely never concerned with nor does he do anything generally for humidity. It got a little hazy because he said "the only reason I'd be worried about humidity is shedding issues." He didn't mention if he does anything during shedding to up the humidity. He said something to the effect of "bacteria needs heat and humidity to thrive, why would you want to keep your snakes on what will become a virtual petri dish through your combining heat and humidity?"
So what do people think? He isn't the first person I've heard/seen say something similar. Then you'll also get people who say they need 60+ % all the time, not just when in shed.
I talked to one breeder who said anywhere from 40-75%. Like what?? 40-75% ? That's a huge range.

I've also seen it said that too low of a humidity can cause respiratory infections, but others say only low temperatures cause respiratory infections and humidity is irrelevant.

Would be nice to have some clear answers? Any definitive sources?

[ckuhn003]

Of course he is a prolific and successful ball python breeder.. at it for decades. He made a youtube video recently saying he is absolutely never concerned with nor does he do anything generally for humidity. It got a little hazy because he said "the only reason I'd be worried about humidity is shedding issues." He didn't mention if he does anything during shedding to up the humidity. He said something to the effect of "bacteria needs heat and humidity to thrive, why would you want to keep your snakes on what will become a virtual petri dish through your combining heat and humidity?"
So what do people think? He isn't the first person I've heard/seen say something similar. Then you'll also get people who say they need 60+ % all the time, not just when in shed.
I talked to one breeder who said anywhere from 40-75%. Like what?? 40-75% ? That's a huge range.

I've also seen it said that too low of a humidity can cause respiratory infections, but others say only low temperatures cause respiratory infections and humidity is irrelevant.

Would be nice to have some clear answers? Any definitive sources?

its a topic that I've struggled getting clear answers too. For the life of me, I've tried everything but I can't seem to get the humidity lower then in the 80s. There's no condensation so I've passed it off as being ok.

[Newbie39]

Of course he is a prolific and successful ball python breeder.. at it for decades. He made a youtube video recently saying he is absolutely never concerned with nor does he do anything generally for humidity. It got a little hazy because he said "the only reason I'd be worried about humidity is shedding issues." He didn't mention if he does anything during shedding to up the humidity. He said something to the effect of "bacteria needs heat and humidity to thrive, why would you want to keep your snakes on what will become a virtual petri dish through your combining heat and humidity?"
So what do people think? He isn't the first person I've heard/seen say something similar. Then you'll also get people who say they need 60+ % all the time, not just when in shed.
I talked to one breeder who said anywhere from 40-75%. Like what?? 40-75% ? That's a huge range.

I've also seen it said that too low of a humidity can cause respiratory infections, but others say only low temperatures cause respiratory infections and humidity is irrelevant.

Would be nice to have some clear answers? Any definitive sources?

I've read all the different opinions on this as well. Mine always stays around 58 in the tub. So I just leave it. Mind you I haven't gone through a shed yet.

[Godzilla78]

They definitely get dried out in a glass enclosure with a heat lamp. For sure! Brian keeps them in plastic tubs with infrared heat tape and they stay plenty humid naturally that way. For people with tubs, I think Brian is correct in not worrying about it.
For people using large, screened enclosures, or use heat lamps and such that dries the air out, then keeping up humidity it IS IMPORTANT.

[illaoi]

They definitely get dried out in a glass enclosure with a heat lamp. For sure! Brian keeps them in plastic tubs with infrared heat tape and they stay plenty humid naturally that way. For people with tubs, I think Brian is correct in not worrying about it.
For people using large, screened enclosures, or use heat lamps and such that dries the air out, then keeping up humidity it IS IMPORTANT.

But is it important only because they need humidity to shed properly? Or because they are inherently healthier at higher humidity

[wolfy-hound]

I believe they are healthier overall at a higher humidity.

He probably doesn't have to worry about humidity because his humidity in the enclosures is within parameters without him doing anything.

My natural humidity here in Florida is often higher than even recommended. Someone in a dry MidWest state may have major issues without taking particular care with their enclosures.

People who use tubs and racks often have no issues. People using tanks with screen and lamps have to be more careful.

[SDA]

But is it important only because they need humidity to shed properly? Or because they are inherently healthier at higher humidity

Ok several things about this because it keeps coming up. Brian Gundy has been working with snakes in that area for decades. He knows the ins and outs of the Berkley weather as well as his enclosures and the building he keeps them in. Once you have a stable room that you keep a certain level year round and once you have worked with the same conditions long enough you just know. Somewhat like a professional chef after so many years doesn't need to bother knowing how hot a pan is anymore.

Now on to proper humidity. We don't keep ball pythons in their native habitats so we have to emulate conditions that will allow them to live healthy lives. This means keeping a constant range of temperature and humidity. What hobbyists and breeders alike have learned over the years is that if your ball starts to be in condition of sub 50% humidity in their enclosure they run the risk of developing respiratory ailments. This can also lead to digestive problems and stressed out conditions. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you were to keep your ball in a 100% humid enclosure with damp substrate and wet walls, it will often result in skin ailment and conditions.

It's common held experience that the ideal range to try and hit is somewhere around 50-70% for their day to day needs and slightly higher for shedding. That is not to say every owner must scramble to up the humidity during a shed. I know several breeders and friends who have kept their enclosure around 60% all the time and still have perfect sheds.

The idea of a 70% humidity increase or a temporary wet hide is a tried and true method many owners use to alleviate the uncertainty of their snakes' shedding process.


So yes, it may be necessary to increase humidity or offer a humid environment hide to shed properly (mine needs this) and yes higher humidity of 50-70% is beneficial to their respiration and over all health but excessive humid conditions can lead to skin issues as they are not semi aquatic mud dwellers like those filthy anacondas!

[illaoi]

Ok several things about this because it keeps coming up. Brian Gundy has been working with snakes in that area for decades. He knows the ins and outs of the Berkley weather as well as his enclosures and the building he keeps them in. Once you have a stable room that you keep a certain level year round and once you have worked with the same conditions long enough you just know. Somewhat like a professional chef after so many years doesn't need to bother knowing how hot a pan is anymore.

Now on to proper humidity. We don't keep ball pythons in their native habitats so we have to emulate conditions that will allow them to live healthy lives. This means keeping a constant range of temperature and humidity. What hobbyists and breeders alike have learned over the years is that if your ball starts to be in condition of sub 50% humidity in their enclosure they run the risk of developing respiratory ailments. This can also lead to digestive problems and stressed out conditions. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you were to keep your ball in a 100% humid enclosure with damp substrate and wet walls, it will often result in skin ailment and conditions.

It's common held experience that the ideal range to try and hit is somewhere around 50-70% for their day to day needs and slightly higher for shedding. That is not to say every owner must scramble to up the humidity during a shed. I know several breeders and friends who have kept their enclosure around 60% all the time and still have perfect sheds.

The idea of a 70% humidity increase or a temporary wet hide is a tried and true method many owners use to alleviate the uncertainty of their snakes' shedding process.


So yes, it may be necessary to increase humidity or offer a humid environment hide to shed properly (mine needs this) and yes higher humidity of 50-70% is beneficial to their respiration and over all health but excessive humid conditions can lead to skin issues as they are not semi aquatic mud dwellers like those filthy anacondas!

well then his video was terribly pointless and misleading.

[hollowlaughter]

I believe they are healthier overall at a higher humidity.

He probably doesn't have to worry about humidity because his humidity in the enclosures is within parameters without him doing anything.

My natural humidity here in Florida is often higher than even recommended. Someone in a dry MidWest state may have major issues without taking particular care with their enclosures.

People who use tubs and racks often have no issues. People using tanks with screen and lamps have to be more careful.

I'd even reach and say as a species that's inclined to a sub-Saharan climate with "rainy seasons" and wild feeding schedules that coincide with those due to prey breeding periods (IIRC) the humidity may make them think it's "rainy season" to keep their appetite up as well. Thus why low humidity is seen to sometimes tie into food refusal or fasting.

[Craiga 01453]

If you live somewhere where humidity is in the proper range you don't need to worry much about humidity inside the enclosures. He's been working with the animals long enough to know that the relative humidity where he is located is within the proper range for BPs to live safely and thrive. Humidity can be zapped out of enclosures by heat, so, depending on how you heat your enclosure, you may need to adjust regardless of where you live and relative humidity there. He has his work down to a science and is at the point where he no longer worries about humidity because his environment, setups, etc... are all within range and have been for years.