Humidity Box or Not?

[twentyeggs]

Hey guys I have a King and Corn snake. They are both babies. I've had my corn snake through 4 sheds now, and my king through 1. It was my corn snakes 3rd shed that I noticed she left a small patch of skin towards the end of her body. So when they both conveniently blued up around the same time, I made two humidity boxes. I tried to put them in the boxes and at first they fought like hell to squirm out of the hole. So I gave up trying to "introduce" them to it and left it in their cage. It took 2 days but they both decided they love the humidity box. In fact it even changed my corn snakes shedding cycle. Normally she sheds within 3 days of turning blue, 24 hours of clearing up. But this time she stayed in that box for almost 5 days after clearing up. My King Snake also took her time. They both returned to the humidity box after shedding.

So my question is should I make a permanent Humidity box for them? My concern, especially for the California King and living in Southern California myself, It's not really her native environment to live in a box of wet paper towels/moss. I don't want to experience any dermatological problems that come with constant exposure to the 6 senses sensational slither spa. They both have a water bowel that I always leave in there and keep full. What should I do?

[Andy_G]

I don't think there is an issue with providing it all the time, but if humidity levels are otherwise appropriate, it's not necessary. It won't cause problems.

[craigafrechette]

I personally don't think I would. Kings and corns don't require a high humidity. They may be choosing the box more for security than the humidity.
Maybe try creating a similar box but with a dry substrate or even crumpled paper towels.
If they still use them, you know it's the security they're seeking out.

[kazz]

If a snake shed with room humidity good i'd don't use humidity box.

[twentyeggs]

Well, they have two hides each. One is a circular type hide with a small opening. This is the one they both choose, sometimes will stick their heads out of. the other is the half log. The half log is where the heat pad is located. The corn didn't need any humidity before, maybe the little spot of stuck shed was a fluke? All I know is letting my snakes live constantly in a humidity box/wet environment I am opening up a whole new can of worms health and sanitary wise.

[craigafrechette]

Originally Posted by twentyeggs

Well, they have two hides each. One is a circular type hide with a small opening. This is the one they both choose, sometimes will stick their heads out of. the other is the half log. The half log is where the heat pad is located. The corn didn't need any humidity before, maybe the little spot of stuck shed was a fluke? All I know is letting my snakes live constantly in a humidity box/wet environment I am opening up a whole new can of worms health and sanitary wise.

I would ditch the humidity hides and the log hides. Offer two properly sized hides. Humidity hides are fine during shed, but not long term for these species of colubrids. The half log hides don't offer the security the snakes are seeking out. You need something with a single opening and entry point.

[twentyeggs]

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I would ditch the humidity hides and the log hides. Offer two properly sized hides. Humidity hides are fine during shed, but not long term for these species of colubrids. The half log hides don't offer the security the snakes are seeking out. You need something with a single opening and entry point.

Well my rosy boa loves the log hide. In fact, the only thing she will hide in is the log, and usually after she eats. She has another one that is much more secure but most of the time she just sits out in the open. The only reason I decided to go with the log hides is becuase my heater is under it. And it is easier to keep a warm temperature with a more open shelter than creating an oven with something that is more like a dome with a small opening. The only snake I have that doesn't appreciate it, is my king snake. however, she is only a few weeks old, and probably thinks that everything is trying to eat her still.

[craigafrechette]

Originally Posted by twentyeggs

Well my rosy boa loves the log hide. In fact, the only thing she will hide in is the log, and usually after she eats. She has another one that is much more secure but most of the time she just sits out in the open. The only reason I decided to go with the log hides is becuase my heater is under it. And it is easier to keep a warm temperature with a more open shelter than creating an oven with something that is more like a dome with a small opening. The only snake I have that doesn't appreciate it, is my king snake. however, she is only a few weeks old, and probably thinks that everything is trying to eat her still.

I understand your point, but log hides only offer protection from above. And the reason your rosy boa only uses that hide and typically only after ahe eats, is because it's her only option on the warm side, where she goes to digest.
This is why it's advised to have two identical hides, one on each side. This way they can choose which temperature they prefer without sacrificing security.
Most snakes thrive on feeling secure. Log hides only offer security from above. A proper hide will offer security from above as well as all sides.

A proper hide over a UTH will not create an oven. You just may need to adjust your temps a bit, measure with a temp gun.
Of course, this is assuming your heat sources are regulated by a thermostat? If not, you're risking serious burns or worse to your snake