Maintaining Humidity

[Nicolak]

Hello,

I just got my new Ball Python. The humidity seems to stay at 50-55%, is this alright? If not what are some good ways to increase the humidity?

I am using Aspen substrate, small heat tape for the warm side & a heat lamp (red bulb 100w). Tank is 36"x12" (height 17"), 33 gallon aquarium.
A large size water dish. The Ball python is approx 2 feet. Also I have a towel covering the top where the heat lamp is not. (I have left enough room for air to get in)

A few other questions, just based on your personal experience.
How thick should the substrate be from the bottom?
What is a good basking temperature (90F?), what is considered "too hot"?
What is the coldest it can get on the cold side for it to be considered "too cold"?

I have heard different opinions: Do Ball Pythons like to climb?

Also, what are some signs when a ball python is about to go into a shed?

Thanks

[Chu'Wuti]

It would be better for your BP if you could get the humidity up to 60% min. Some people mist 2-3 times a day. If you got glass or plastic to close off about 50%-76% of the top of your tank, that would help, too, or you can soak the towel and wring it out good. However, the latter is just a temporary fix, and I personally hate to have to mist multiple times a day.

Another way to help is to get sphagnum moss, soak a couple of hands-full in warm water, then squeeze it out so it is just damp and put it in one of the hides.

Most people use an inch to two inches for substrate when using aspen.

Basking temp should be between 88 deg F and 95 deg F--yours could be a little higher.

Don't let it get below 78-80 deg F at night even on the cool side; during the day the ambient temp should be 80-85 deg F. If the temp drops below 78 and your BP has no warmer place to go, it can get a respiratory infection. So your minimum temp is 78 and your maximum is 95

My BP likes to climb; my DH made a branch go from one end of his enclosure to the other rising all the way. He loves it. You can sort of see him on his branch in my avatar pic, though it's pretty small. I'll post a pic at the bottom of this message if I can from this computer (no pics on this computer, and I'm not sure what I have on photobucket at the moment!).

Signs of shed: a pink belly is one early sign, oddly enough. Then they go blue--the most obvious symptom of going blue is the eyes get milky. Then they go clear again--and you begin to wonder what's going on. Generally during this time they stay in a hide a lot, especially in the damp hide. You might as well not try feeding them during this time, even after the eyes go clear again, as they really can't see well enough to strike properly and they can be a bit cranky during the shed cycle. Just be patient after the eyes go clear again--if your BP even comes out for you to see that has happened--a few days later, he'll shed. After he sheds, he'll come out--mine comes out the very next day, so I know to look for the shed AND to thaw out a rat! ;)

Get a digital thermometer with two probes so you can put one in the basking spot and one in the cool zone. Put the probes where the snake would actually be--those stick-on thermometers that a lot of people put on the glass wall of a tank are measuring the temp of the glass right where the thermometer is stuck on. You especially want to know the temp right on top of your heat tape--if it gets above 95 deg F, you risk burning your BP's tender skin, which you don't want.

And the cheap dial humidity gauges (hygrometers) stick--I know, I have one! So get a good hygrometer; they give much more accurate readings.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr268/ChuWuti/Christmas2008031.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr268/ChuWuti/Christmas2008021.jpg

Have fun with your BP, and welcome to the forum!

[Nicolak]

Thanks, yeah I'll have to get another digital thermometer for the other side (it just has tape). The digital one I do have has only one probe. :( I'll also have to get a digital hydrometer, I just have a stick-on one right now.

Where would I buy this "sphagnum moss" and what other information do I need to know about it?

[Chu'Wuti]

You can buy sphagnum moss either in the reptile section of a pet store or in the plant section of a Lowe's-type store or other plant seller. It's often used for orchid potting.

Here's a link so you can see what it looks like, but shop around, because sometimes the pet stores sell it for inflated prices:

Sphagnum Moss Long fiber New zealand 500 grams - $14.95 : Carolina Pet Supply, Quality supplies for raising healthy reptiles (http://carolinapetsupply.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=282)

Also, be sure you're getting the long-fiber moss, not the "sphagnum peat moss" that is used as a soil amendment in gardens.

You notice how my BP has his tail wrapped around his branch? The first time I fed him while he was on the branch, he fell off when he struck. He has never fallen again--he learned quickly to wrap that tail! ;)

[Spider-Tart]

gooossshhhhh ..those pics just make me wanna pinch a baby's cheeks.
absolutely adorable! :P

[carciady]

great pics, i want one now lol

[HMT]

nice pic!

I tried the wet towel thing too, for my aquarium. It definitely works better to cover with plastic- away from heat lamp of course, but covering at least 60% of the lid. (although with a towel, at least it can be washed) Even with doing that, you still might have humidity problems if your AC/heat is running. If you notice your snake cannot shed all in one piece, and it does not have mites, its probably because of low humidity.

speaking of sphagnum moss.... has anyone had any problems with this stuff becoming very stinky? Mine either dries out right away, or stays wet, and gets very smelly. Is there a way to create a humid/wet hide without getting into bacterial and smell issues? Does it just have to be changed daily regardless?

I buy the moss at floral/ crafts stores- its cheaper and comes in large quantities. Just make sure to avoid the moss that has been chemically dyed bright green. yuck!

[Chu'Wuti]

I don't have to change it daily, but I do have to change it about once a week. It doesn't seem to become stinky in the interim, though I do have to rewet it. Now if my BP poops in it, I replace it right away, and I assume that would make it stinky.

It's one option; if it doesn't work for you, we can probably come up with others.

[Cherry4812]

Would you say the misting or damp towel option is better for keeping the humidity up?

[citysnakes]

damp towels can be a fire hazzard and breeding ground for nasty bacteria so i would say that misting the enclosure is a much preferred option. just make sure to reduce the amount of ventilation, not so much so that mold will grow but just enough to trap warm, moist air inside the enclosure for a period of time such as until it is necessary to mist again.