View Full Version : Snakes with little to no humidity
Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've been on here.
Basically I'm looking for a snake with little to no humidity requirements at all, such as desert snakes. I had to donate my ball python to a reptile breeder because he was prone to URIs. I had him treated once and two weeks later he got it again.
My question is what type is snakes are tolerant of low humidity levels? I cannot afford foggers or misters so I'd rather keep the enclosure dry. I have a 29 gallon tank and a 40 breeder tank that I'd like to keep the snake in for the entirety of its life.
I have looked into sand boas and to be honest, the way they look freaks me out a bit lol. If that's my only choice I will make due but any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Please no suggestions on humidity tricks. I know all the tricks and truly just have no time to keep up w them. So just suggestions on types please. Thanks!!!!
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 09:39 AM
There are ways to maintain humidity without expensive foggers and humidifiers.
I would be willing to bet that you're keeping your snake(s) in glass tanks with screen tops. That is the bulk of the problem right there. This set-up works well for some snakes, but not for others. Ball pythons do fall within the latter group.
Most North American colubrids would do fine in such a set-up, although many of them are not exclusively "desert" species: cornsnakes, pine snakes, garter snakes, brown snakes, water snakes, kingsnakes, etc.
If you are deadset on a "desert" snake, look into the western subspecies of Lampropeltis getula (California kingsnakes, desert kings, Mexican black kings). There's also gopher & bull snakes, rosy boas, sand boas, western hognose snakes.
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Another idea is to cover the top of the aquarium, and/or find an alternative top. Find a way to close it up and conserve all that heat and humidity wifting away out the top of that screen mesh. That will solve some of your humidity problem. Believe me, there are plenty of snake keepers in NY and not all of them keep "desert" snakes. This problem you have is an easy one to fix.
The ball python was my first snake and I think I was just unlucky with him bring prone to RIs
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 09:55 AM
The ball python was my first snake and I think I was just unlucky with him bring prone to RIs
Perhaps.
This is nothing against you personally, but in my experience, a lot of new hobbyists immediately bring their baby BP home, set them up in a 10-gal tank with a bright basking light, maybe one hide and maybe a hot rock or undertank heat pad. They handle it constantly and wonder why it never eats. There's no way to control humidity in this set-up, and they wonder why the snake always sheds in pieces and/or gets RIs. [I used to work at a pet shop for 10+ yrs and dealt with this all the time.]
The glass tank for ball pythons simply does not work well IMHO.
bcoop1234
09-07-12, 09:56 AM
Ya, Student hit the nail on the head. I have a corn and king and don't even bother checking their humidity levels and they both eat great and have full complete sheds. I do leave a large bowl of water that they can get into if they want, but that's about it.
MoreliAddict
09-07-12, 10:01 AM
Western Hognose are fun desert snakes...
infernalis
09-07-12, 10:07 AM
I have never concerned myself with humidity for my garters, corn, racer or milks, and they are all thriving.
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 10:07 AM
I have a corn and king and don't even bother checking their humidity levels and they both eat great and have full complete sheds. I do leave a large bowl of water that they can get into if they want, but that's about it.
Yeah, in fact, I've had a few kingsnakes that actually did better in tanks than they did in tubs.
Actually I kept him in a 40 breeder because he was full grown and he never had any problems eating, he always shed in one full piece and always soaked. He had two hides, a huge dish to soak in and half of the top was covered. I was doing everything perfectly but he still kept getting RIs.
I appreciate all the suggestions!
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 10:34 AM
The larger the tank, the harder it is to control the humidity. That's a big wide open tank that still only had half the top covered.
Not trying to point out all your errors, just the design flaws of a large aquarium as a habitat for a ball python.
No I agree. I made a lot of errors and buying a ball as my first snake probably wasn't my best decision
Kaetlinv
09-07-12, 10:59 AM
My brother has his 1 year old corn snake female in a 40tall tank with several hides and lots of decoration and climbing options, and she does fine and he pretty much ignores the humidity levels except when she's going into shed and then he pays attention to it. She's done great from the start, she's a fantastic eater, sheds whole and well and is a sweetheart with handling. She's got access to water constantly too.
In other words, I agree that a corn (and the others, but I haven't kept those so I can't speak for those ^.^' ) would be a good 'dry humidity' option.
About the ball pythons...
Tanks I believe, can work for Ball pythons, if you're willing to work with the screen lids due to no other options. I have three BP's and they're all in screen lid tops...They're not in perfect conditions but I do the best I can for not being able to get them proper lids. I have rags / towels covering at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the screen lids, and pour water over these and into the enclosure, I also use Eco-earth coco husk substrate to try and help with humidity. I dip my hand into any of their tanks and it feels like I've stuck it into a mini-sauna (best I could think of as a comparison, haha). I got valentine from a pet store and she's been in tanks her entire life, and she's big and healthy.
I'm pretty sure my success is by luck, but screen lids can work if you're willing to work with them. Although I've read a few tips on here I'm considering trying - wrapping parts of the screen mesh in plastic wrap (whatever that stuff is called, haha).
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 11:02 AM
Ball pythons by themselves are not necessarily bad beginner snakes. Its mostly the pet store selling point mentality that all reptiles will be fine in a glass tank...and they're not. The glass tank has always been the conventional habitat for herps, and after several decades, we are slooowwwly (the industry as a whole) are realizing that it doesn't work. But you're not going to find rack systems, and plastic tubs, and Neodesha & Vision cages in your nearest petsmart or Petco. They sell glass tanks, and that is what they push as suitable reptile enclosures.
Even if you google "ball python care sheet" half the information you come across will probably suggest a 20-40 gallon tank...am I right?
So don't beat yourself up to much for getting a BP as your first snake. Heck, that was my first snake, too, and guess what I set him up in....a glass tank! Now 20 yrs later, I know better. But you're just going by what you were probably told.
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 11:06 AM
Tanks I believe, can work for Ball pythons, if you're willing to work with the screen lids due to no other options. I have three BP's and they're all in screen lid tops...They're not in perfect conditions but I do the best I can for not being able to get them proper lids. I have rags / towels covering at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the screen lids, and pour water over these and into the enclosure, I also use Eco-earth coco husk substrate to try and help with humidity. I dip my hand into any of their tanks and it feels like I've stuck it into a mini-sauna (best I could think of as a comparison, haha). I got valentine from a pet store and she's been in tanks her entire life, and she's big and healthy.
I'm pretty sure my success is by luck, but screen lids can work if you're willing to work with them. Although I've read a few tips on here I'm considering trying - wrapping parts of the screen mesh in plastic wrap (whatever that stuff is called, haha).
You're right, they can "work" with a little resourcefulness...but many new keepers lack the foresight or intuition to do so.
infernalis
09-07-12, 11:14 AM
My BP is in a 55 gallon tank, But I built a solid plywood top with no air vents. Then I use a very large diameter water bowl & the entire room is heated.
Never had a bad shed, he always eats, and as expected always hides.
Kaetlinv
09-07-12, 11:29 AM
As soon as I get the means to I will fashion them better lids, but in the meantime they're doing well. It's when you have them with a screen lid and ignore the humidity that things go screwy...the humidity in the center of Valentine's tank is about 65%, and that's without having put water in it today.
Ball pythons are not "prone to RI's", you just didn't treat him completely the first time. You also gave him an RI by not providing a proper environment for him. Whenever a ball python gets an RI, it's always, 100% the keepers fault.
I'm going to guess that if you didn't have enough money to set up his environment properly in the first place, than you certainly didn't have the cash to go to the vet to get a culture and sensitivity done for the RI.
That said, if it is in fact "prone to RI's" like you say, then the RI was viral, and you giving it away or doing anything with it except throwing it in your freezer was TERRIBLY irresponsible.
I actually received it with an RI. Like I said in my original posting please no suggestions on humidity. At this point I could care less about humidity and mykee I never asked for your input about the ball. I am in touch w the breeder who is aware of the situation and he is going well. So with that said, once again all I was asking for of anyone was suggestion on low humidity snakes. Thank you to the people who answered my question. To the rest of you, this is the reason I never use the forum. You all go astray from the topic and completely disregard the point of the original thread so that you can make the original poster feel like they have absolutely no clue what they are doing. I can say that I have dozens of different lizards at this point and know fully what I am doing with them. I don't like the idea of a rack system so I will not use a rack system or get snakes that should be in a rack system.
So as a final note, all I cared about was your suggestion of snakes. Again thank you to those who actually answered my post.
You are absolutely correct, I apologize for jumping the gun and essentially calling you a bad keeper for completely disregarding your previous snakes husbandry requirements and then giving it away once it got sick due to your substandard care.
Back on topic: that said, I feel the perfect snake for your level of experience and "ability" to properly care for one is:
http://www.reptilescanada.com/gallery/data/500/101875_M.jpg
Oh did someone take offense to me calling them out? Waah you're 37 years old, get over it. There is always someone just like you in a thread that thinks they're so high and mighty compared to everyone else. Why not take a step back and think for a second, you're 37 years old sitting on a forum site mid day arguing with a college student who just has a hobby. If I were you I'd rethink my life
Try thinking like this: how am I able to pick on snotnosed turds like you in the middle of the day sitting in my boxer shorts in my dining room?
There are tonnes of answers so I'll help you out:
I have been breeding snakes for 12 years.
It is my full-time job and passion.
Because of my success with ball pythons over the last decade, I also own residential properties in Toronto that I rent out.
So there Kiddo!
Suck on that!
StudentoReptile
09-07-12, 01:46 PM
I think this is getting off-topic. Let's not turn it into a pissing match, please.
Good point. Back on topic:
There are many desert snake species that require very little humidity. The one that pops immediately to mind that I have a strong desire for you to own is a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Happy herping!
MoreliAddict
09-07-12, 01:53 PM
Good point. Back on topic:
There are many desert snake species that require very little humidity. The one that pops immediately to mind that I have a strong desire for you to own is a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Happy herping!
Just don't release this into the wild if it's prone to RIs too...
So if you do this for a living, first off i really appreciate people like you who experiment with reptiles to create different morphs. I think the whole thing is incredibly interesting and I myself have recently started breeding bearded dragons. So second, instead of arguing with you like student says, if you are a reputable full time breeder why don't you just try to help people on forums instead of calling them out on their inexperience with snakes and try to help them? I know I'm inexperienced and that is why I started this thread. To find different types of snakes that will thrive under my personal care and limited means, not to be criticized of my obvious failure with a ball. Of course I'm aware of this. I don't need other people telling me this. THIS is the point I'm making
snake man12
09-07-12, 01:56 PM
You are absolutely correct, I apologize for jumping the gun and essentially calling you a bad keeper for completely disregarding your previous snakes husbandry requirements and then giving it away once it got sick due to your substandard care.
Back on topic: that said, I feel the perfect snake for your level of experience and "ability" to properly care for one is:
http://www.reptilescanada.com/gallery/data/500/101875_M.jpg
Best post ever...
Yea you know what my breeder is licensed to keep snakes like that and actually has diamondback rattlesnakes in his museum. Really awesome snakes. His buddy got bit while picking up a cobra and had to get airlifted to a hospital in the Bronx
Snickers
09-07-12, 11:00 PM
Get a desert snake or a bearded dragon.
Try thinking like this: how am I able to pick on snotnosed turds like you in the middle of the day sitting in my boxer shorts in my dining room?
There are tonnes of answers so I'll help you out:
I have been breeding snakes for 12 years.
It is my full-time job and passion.
Because of my success with ball pythons over the last decade, I also own residential properties in Toronto that I rent out.
So there Kiddo!
Suck on that!
First, thanks for that visual (shudder), like we need to be reminded of what you're wearing. Second and more importantly, name calling isn't allowed, no matter who you think you are. If you can't make your point with degrading into elementary school name calling then its time to put your computer away for awhile.
Mods, I'm confused by why the above quoted post was allowed to stay up for any length of time. This is as blatant as it gets.
red ink
09-08-12, 06:37 AM
Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've been on here.
Basically I'm looking for a snake with little to no humidity requirements at all, such as desert snakes. I had to donate my ball python to a reptile breeder because he was prone to URIs. I had him treated once and two weeks later he got it again.
My question is what type is snakes are tolerant of low humidity levels? I cannot afford foggers or misters so I'd rather keep the enclosure dry. I have a 29 gallon tank and a 40 breeder tank that I'd like to keep the snake in for the entirety of its life.
I have looked into sand boas and to be honest, the way they look freaks me out a bit lol. If that's my only choice I will make due but any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Please no suggestions on humidity tricks. I know all the tricks and truly just have no time to keep up w them. So just suggestions on types please. Thanks!!!!
Antaresia stinsoni or Antaresia childreni
condor53
09-10-12, 05:32 PM
I agree with red ink. My Childrens python is my favorite of my snakes and has no specific humidity requirment. She does love her humid hide though.
Connor
rmfsnakes32
09-10-12, 06:48 PM
Good luck finding a new friend! Dont let them get to you. I am my own worst critic I made mistakes with my 1st snake and learned from them! I recently moved to a place where the basement has a very wet area so a dehumidifior was put in, in result my snakes were having poor sheds so to remedy the problem I borrowed a humidifior for,my room and problem solved! :)
buffcoat
09-11-12, 11:20 AM
Woma python. Little to no humidity. As said before, corns, kings, hognose, milks and most other colubrids do well with little humidity.
Good luck
Kingsnakechris
09-11-12, 11:55 AM
Kings are awesome! Ferocious eaters, manageable sized, and the requirements are easily met. I got a BP for my first snake, he was healthy and a great eater but I did everything wrong! Screen lid, no concern about humidity etc.etc. but I went off what I was told, like others have said, we all make mistakes but we learn from them. Get a California kingsnake, they are great, very shy at times but they def. Have their own unique personality.
Kettennatter
09-11-12, 01:07 PM
Kings are awesome! Ferocious eaters, manageable sized, and the requirements are easily met. I got a BP for my first snake, he was healthy and a great eater but I did everything wrong! Screen lid, no concern about humidity etc.etc. but I went off what I was told, like others have said, we all make mistakes but we learn from them. Get a California kingsnake, they are great, very shy at times but they def. Have their own unique personality.
I would agree on the kingsnake, but would favor maybe an eastern kingsnake or mexican kingsnake. Just a tad more mellow than lampropeltis californiae.
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