I'm new to caring for any pet in general as this is my first pet.
One year after I caught him in the wild (pic taken 3 months ago)
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This was a couple days after he escaped and I found him in the overflow drain in my bathtub
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I took this today after changing the substrate and cleaning the entire tank. I custom made the doors and fitted them to the top of this aquarium (which is laid on its side for more room, easier maintenance and 100% escape-free) after his first escape.
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He shed 2 days ago and measures 45" after 15 months in captivity. When I found him he was just shy of 18".
His name is Houdini, which I promptly named him after his first and only escape (so far). All in all we have a great relationship and we're always learning each other better as time goes on. I especially love his personality, as he's very intriguing and very smart. Unfortunately, he isn't as domesticated as I'd like him to be, but essentially its due to the lack of time I'm able to spend with him because of work. As far as I know, he hasn't been sick yet and seems very healthy and happy. I'm careful to do my homework in advance when it comes to Houdini. He is very beautiful with no scarring or wounds. I feed him live feeder mice/rats/lizards (his preference) each depending on what the pet store has in stock (ie. 3 large mice, or 1 small rat, or 5 small mice. Its been a while since I got any lizards for him
).
That's my introduction for Houdini and our journey.
side note: The large piece of wood in the terrarium is (his hide) actually a the bark cut flat, off a cedar tree. I know the oils from cedar can be harmful to snakes. I originally put it in there for his hide and to deodorize the smells of droppings (which has been successful) and as of yet hasn't caused any harm. I do not advise anyone to put cedar in the same space with a snake.
Now to the main topic of this thread.
I'm curious as to how others maintain the condensation of humidity in a glass setup. I also live in north Florida where outside temp is 80*+ at night and 95* - 105* during the day and humidity is never below 65. While running the heatpad and led light bars (which become very hot to the touch, also are sitting directly on the glass) on a daylight timer, the temp in the terrarium never exceeds 92* or 70 humidity. Also the terrarium is outside on a walled/covered porch.
I have a method that works and have only used it twice in 15 months. Once shortly after catching him and lastly after moving him outside. I don't necessarily mind how much work my method is; I'm mainly just curious if there is a simpler way of achieving the same goal.
Before I start, I ensure there is plenty of ventilation because I do it during the day when Houdini is sleeping under his hide. I clean all the glass panes with isopropyl alcohol (I like the clean it leaves, how it evaporates very quickly and is water based). Then I buff and polish each pane thoroughly with wax. Honestly, if you ask me what type of wax, I'm not sure. Other than the brand (turlewax) and its used for detailing vehicles and the success/luck I've had with it and how it makes the glass "invisible" (not noticing its even there when you look through) is all I can say about it. Oh, and that its a lot of work haha
. I'd like for there to be an easier solution, but I'm afraid there's not.
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