Well.. what is your humidity level right now? Are you sure the snake didn't leave you a nice moist present that could up humidity (it's amazing how much a stinky can up the humidity LOL)

You can try moving the water dish farther from the flexwatt.. and you can also drill more holes (try some in the lid directly above the flexwatt)

Just to be sure.. do you have something controlling the flexwatt (thermostat or rheostat) ?? Because you said it got to 98 degrees.. that shouldn't be a problem if you have a t-stat or rheostat to turn down a few notches. Is your cool side still above 80 degrees?