Tesla's First Shed with us!

[EL Ziggy]

You can try misting or adding a humid hide but your humidity should be fine at 55%.

[Snakegirl2017]

Thank you!! We are hoping this goes well for him (and us...lol). Just nervous as this is the first time.

[kazz]

Originally Posted by EL Ziggy

You can try misting or adding a humid hide but your humidity should be fine at 55%.

I agree. It's better than bump up the humidity. High humidity can cause respiratory disease and can increase bacterial growth.

[Andy_G]

Originally Posted by kazz

I agree. It's better than bump up the humidity. High humidity can cause respiratory disease and can increase bacterial growth.

Stagnant dampness can cause what you mentioned, not high humidity. There is a difference.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Stagnant dampness can cause what you mentioned, not high humidity. There is a difference.

Yup, this here. I provide my ball python with humidity as high as I can get it without creating condensation (which also depends on temperature), and haven't experienced an RI yet. Low humidity can cause RIs by drying out the mucus membranes, damaging them and opening them up to infections. Too high of humidity only causes RIs when the conditions are also damp, especially if there's mold growth or it isn't cleaned well enough. But a high RH doesn't do much, even stereotypically "desert" species can be kept at much higher humidity than recommended so long as the rest of the enclosure is relatively dry.

I keep all my tropical snakes on slightly dampened EcoEarth, but it's allowed to go through cycles and isn't kept wet - just damp.

Excessive moisture can also cause scale rot.

[DJC Reptiles]

The reason you wouldn't dump a water bowl into the substrate is your putting too much water into the substrate, and preventing it from drying out. Spraying twice a day is the best option because it allows the enclosure to dry out prior, to the next spray. RI infections like BSG said, are more often caused by low humidity, and spraying the cage to keep high humidity, for this period of time will not leave the snake with RI. Keeping the tank at 55% relative humidity will result in stuck sheds, and it is easier just to spray the tank. A humidity hide should not be needed. But can be used, if one desires.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by DJC Reptiles

The reason you wouldn't dump a water bowl into the substrate is your putting too much water into the substrate, and preventing it from drying out. Spraying twice a day is the best option because it allows the enclosure to dry out prior, to the next spray. RI infections like BSG said, are more often caused by low humidity, and spraying the cage to keep high humidity, for this period of time will not leave the snake with RI. Keeping the tank at 55% relative humidity will result in stuck sheds, and it is easier just to spray the tank. A humidity hide should not be needed. But can be used, if one desires.

Here's the reason you're wrong...

During a shed cycle you don't need a drying out period (It's like a week) and usually by that time at least half of it dries out (unless you have a water dish the size of the enclosure and your snake is swimming like a fish).

In addition, unless you're lazy or a crappy keeper you simply clean the enclosure after the shed and put new substrate in.

EDIT: Have you ever tried my method? Myself and 2 other friends do this for our collections and have used various substrates (paper towel, newspaper, coco husk, aspen) and found this to be the best and simplest method for literally thousands of snakes between us.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Here's the reason you're wrong...

During a shed cycle you don't need a drying out period (It's like a week) and usually by that time at least half of it dries out (unless you have a water dish the size of the enclosure and your snake is swimming like a fish).

In addition, unless you're lazy or a crappy keeper you simply clean the enclosure after the shed and put new substrate in.

EDIT: Have you ever tried my method? Myself and 2 other friends do this for our collections and have used various substrates (paper towel, newspaper, coco husk, aspen) and found this to be the best and simplest method for literally thousands of snakes between us.

The drying out period, is not literally drying out the enclosure. It's letting the substrate dry a little so the snake doesn't develop scale rot, or mold doesn't grow in the enclosure. While I am sure your method can work, the substrate should not be constantly wet. But should remain damp. Yes, it's only about a week for most snakes, but why risk the chance? I have done this before when my snake was in a shed cycle, and the substrate never dried enough, and was still wet enough to squeeze out water. Sure, it also depends on the water bowl, but it's different depending on whether you use deli cups, or regular water bowls. It also depends on the amount of substate you use. Maybe it's easier to use the water bowl when your keeping more then a couple snakes, (and you keep the snakes in similar environments) but it shouldn't be a problem to spray the enclosure twice a day for most people.