Creative ways to acheive humidity?

[tuper]

Hello! I am still working on getting my tank set up for our newly aquired ball and was wondering how everyone keeps thier humidity up. I have heard of the moss boxes, spraying with the spray bottles, and covering the tank with a damp towel, but was wondering if one of those reptile waterfall things would work? I kinda want my tank to look good AND be functional. Right now humidity isn't getting any higher than 40% with the damp towel across the top. I don't have a moss box yet, and am not quite sure how to make one. I would spray, but I really can't rely on that because I'm not at home all the time, plus it makes a big mess in the tank. The tank our snake is in is 18x27x36 tall (inches.) It has a side opening and a screen lid.

Thanks for all your suggestions! :D

[creepiecrawlie]

In our tank we just use a fogger (we (me and my brother) want the most realistic tank but one that works) it works real well and is real cool looking...

[headdown]

First of all your best bet for keeping humidity up would be to lose the tank and go for a rubbermaid, but if using a tank I would not suggest a waterfall as the snake will have it dumped, diassembled, caught in it, you name it, the snake will do it, funny little guys!!! Anyways the fogger of course keeps the humidity up, but also a water dish constantly full will help with humidity quite a bit and make sure you mist in the enclosure while your balls in the blue, just thought I'd give my 2 cents regarding the waterfall though, done it and it was a mess!!! Good Luck !!!

[Paul_Begg]

If you need to keep humidity up in a tank it depends alot on the ventialtion available. If it is a glass one then with the open top its difficult to maintain a high ambient humidity, so you have to use humid hides. As you mentioned moss boxes are an ideal way to keep up the humidity in a localised area, and although the natural habitat of a ball python is semi arid, they do normally hide in termite mounds or similar where the average humidity is 60%. Just as long as the snake has a couple of hides available to gain access to humidity i dont really see you having a problem. The only thing you may want to think more about is when the snake is nearing a shed, then my advice would be to spray the substrate and keep it lightly moistened.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Paul

[tuper]

Great advice so far, thanks so much! I just have a few questions on the ideas mentioned....

I am going to keep the tank I have because I really like it, it will fit the snake for several more years, and it was a very nice expensive tank given to me for free! Besides, I like to be able to see my snake! :D

What exactly is a fogger and where would I get one?

I would like to have a moss box or two available as hides, but I honestly have no idea where to get one or how to make one. Is there a website with instructions anywhere? What is the upkeep like on them? How would you clean it if the snake uses it as a toilet? ;) How do you check the humidity of it? Etc. :D

Thanks so much, I am so new to this it isn't even funny.......but I want to take care of the little guy!

[Jeff_Favelle]

If you want to SEE your snake, perhaps getting one that isn't nocturnal and burrow-dwelling in nature would be a better choice?

[tuper]

I have several non-nocturnal pets! Besides, I am up at all hours sometimes, and have been able to watch Sorin move about in his surroundings. Besides, he was given to us! :D

I meant no offence to those who like to use the rubbermaids as containers, just stating my preference for my tank. :p :rsmile:

[Paul_Begg]

I wouldn't go with a fogger, unless you can house it somewhere the snake can't get to it. As for what a fogger is, it's a small unit that produces ultra-sonic wavelengths that basically shake the water so fast that it creates a fog. You can get them at most reptile supply shops and some garden centres.
The moss box can be made from anything you like as long as the snake will feel comfortable inside it. Any old snap top lunch box will do, just cut an opening in one side and there you have it! When the snake defecates, simply replace it with new moss.
Cheers
Paul

[boa+python]

a small water fall works for some people. You can get one at your local petsmart for about 30 dollars. Its like a small to large rock (depending what size you get) that has a little fountain coming out the top, so it looks like a rock with water coming out of it. Ive heard this works, but i have not had personal experience with this item. HOPE THIS HELPS :)

[tuper]

Thanks so much! I will see what I can get worked out! :D

[oldshell4481]

my tanks humidity stays around 60 percent and all i have is a thin layer of cypress mulch, and a mid sized 1"-1/1/2" deep water bowl that stays full. i keep a towel over the top of the tank on the side that stays unheated so it will help retain some humidity and still keep the tank semi-warm in my cold house. all i have for a heat source is a 60w lightbulb and the undertank heater. this setup is in a 55 gallon aquarium tank.