Peppers basking bulb blew up and got glass on her

[Caitlin]

Look, your setup needs work, so I hope it's OK if I and others comment on it. I live in a dry area, too. As I write this, the overall humidity in my snake room is 20%. But I have snakes that require anything from moderate humidity - my Ball Python and Green Tree Python are happiest with humidity at about 55-60% - to high humidity - my Brazilian Rainbow Boa needs a minimum of 85% humidity and preferably higher.

I don't use misters or foggers with ANY of my snakes. I don't like them because they are a PITA to keep clean so that they don't just spray bacteria around. In your situation I'd honestly get that thing out of Pepper's enclosure right away. I've kept snakes for 30 years and never had a bulb or heating element blow up; please just remove the risk until you can get your enclosure sorted out.

You're using aspen substrate, which works for some people but for people like me who live in very dry areas, it is terrible for holding humidity. If you switch to something like cypress mulch (Forest Floor brand, for example) or coconut husk substrate like ReptiChip, make it a good 2-3" deep, and keep that substrate just SLIGHTLY damp with water, your humidity will increase and stay stable. You can also get sphagnum moss, get it damp, and mix it in with the substrate for extra help with humidity.

You're using a glass tank. Is the screen top open to the air? Or have you covered most of it with HVAC/foil tape (sorry, I can't tell from your photos). You are using bulbs for heating, which are hell on humidity. If you use a CHE plus a UTH that should work, and will be easier on humidity. It looks like a small tank, so even a lower wattage CHE should keep temperatures reasonable, and a UTH can boost the warm spot if needed.

From your post history it seems like you've had a lot of trouble using heating and basking bulbs. I'd suggest that you stop using bulbs and just switch to a CHE + UTH.

I don't usually recommend Facebook groups because Facebook can be toxic and crazy, but in this case I am going to suggest that you join a group called 'New Ball Python Keepers'. I know Pepper is a Boa, but I think the information you'll find in that group will help you. I'm an admin there and I can guarantee we have zero tolerance for rudeness or for people who give bad information. There are files there on how to set up a tank or tub safely, how to manage humidity, etc.

I know you love Pepper. I also know new keepers need a lot of help and information (so do veteran keepers sometimes!). So hang in there and try to be open to making changes that can help with your enclosure setup and help Pepper stay cozy and healthy.