humidity problem..question!!??

Morbids_Mom · 03-07-08, 01:32 AM

ok the vet thinks the reason dremora wont feed is because she had an incomplete shed and ther is still shed on her head and over her eyes. she said i must bring the humidity up and told me to put a wet washcloth in the tank for the snake to rub up against to help take off the shed. what i would like to know is how do i keep the humidity up in the tank? i know the lamp is only sapping out the humidity but its the only way i can keep up the temp during the day here so i need some advice. i am getting a humidity gauge tommorow! i have been using the wet, wrung out rag and misting the cage a couple times a day along with it. is there anything else i need to know that would help me??

mykee · 03-07-08, 08:46 AM

1. Remove the lamp.
2. Get an UTH w/a proportional thermostat.
3. Buy and read a book on ball python care.
4. Cover the lid of your fish cage completely.
5. Put a water dish over the warm side of the enclosure.
6. Buy and read a book on ball python care.
7. Mist the cage constantly. Keeping your snake in a fish cage is AS counterproductive as using a heat lamp.
If you are unable to provide teh husbandry requirements that your ball python needs in a fish cage, you need to think of the animal that certainly didn't choose to live with you, and get the ball OUT of the fish cage and into something that can better produce the results you're looking for.
8. STOP GOING TO THE VET FOR EVERY LITTLE THING. If you have SO much money and you want to throw it away on things like vet visits weekly, use that money to buy some books on the captive husbandry of ball pythons and read them. MOST of your questions will be answered within.

DaemoNox · 03-07-08, 04:45 PM

I highly recommend a humid hide; I never worry about the exact humidity level in any enclosure, even within nature and in different parts of the enviroment a snake isnt going to be at a constant humidity level; and alone with temps I always like to give some species like balls the choice to how humid they want to be by giving them a humid hide. Trying to maintain a humidity in a glass tank with a screen top is nearly impossible, as well as cosntant wet conditions promote bacteria growth.

My advice is to relax, I've never had a snake not eat because of a little stuck shed. The big thing with balls is that you need to learn to go at their pace, sometimes they just dont feel like eating and will refuse meals for no reason now and then. As long as theyre healhy and acting normal theres absolutely no reason to worry. Keep offering only once a week or so, if he still hasnt eaten in about a month let us know.

freetv-5 · 03-08-08, 01:09 AM

First not a python owner YET!!
I do have corn snakes some full grown (5+ feet) which don`t really require high humidity but a most hide really helps with problem sheds. I like to use moist sponges as they are really cheap and stay moist for 2 or 3 days. But sponges or rages make sure you clean them often, very often with the 3% bleach solution!!!
I clean them and would rags also before making wet and introducing them to your Viv! Wash and rinse, rinse, rinse, make sure you have the bleach out 100%!!! Clean is so important, you don`t want bacteria or fungis problems!
Well just a corn snake friend so far but really working on getting a really good Viv! Getting local high school wood shop to build it as most kids don`t want to pay for the materials to buy there projects anyways. Plus you have a the teacher providing really good quality control especial when they are building for the general public, heck they even get marked on good sanding.
Well I will be asking many questions here I am sure but as you can see I am reading every thing I can as I want to start out properly!
Sorry to ramble.

Morbids_Mom · 03-08-08, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

1. Remove the lamp.
2. Get an UTH w/a proportional thermostat.
3. Buy and read a book on ball python care.
4. Cover the lid of your fish cage completely.
5. Put a water dish over the warm side of the enclosure.
6. Buy and read a book on ball python care.
7. Mist the cage constantly. Keeping your snake in a fish cage is AS counterproductive as using a heat lamp.
If you are unable to provide teh husbandry requirements that your ball python needs in a fish cage, you need to think of the animal that certainly didn't choose to live with you, and get the ball OUT of the fish cage and into something that can better produce the results you're looking for.
8. STOP GOING TO THE VET FOR EVERY LITTLE THING. If you have SO much money and you want to throw it away on things like vet visits weekly, use that money to buy some books on the captive husbandry of ball pythons and read them. MOST of your questions will be answered within.

why you always so hateful and mean to me? i AM reading the manual, i AM trying keeping half the cage with a lid. i NEED the light to get the temperature correct for day time even tho i KNOW that it drys out the tank! and NO i am not RICH..this was a one time visit and it was for asking about the incomplete shed as well as checking for more mites and seeing if i got rid of them or not! why do you assume i am stupid cause i am not, nor am i gonna let anything bad happen to dremora, just cause i have to play catch up dont mean i CANT catch up! if you are not trying to be mean then maybe you need to play down on the sarcasm some! just a tip! if you cannot give me advice while being a decent person then please dont quote on my threads anymore cause i DONT DESERVE THIS CRUD AND I DONT WANT IT AND I AM DOING ALL I CAN DO WITH THE SITUATION I WAS GIVEN!

Morbids_Mom · 03-08-08, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemoNox

I highly recommend a humid hide; I never worry about the exact humidity level in any enclosure, even within nature and in different parts of the enviroment a snake isnt going to be at a constant humidity level; and alone with temps I always like to give some species like balls the choice to how humid they want to be by giving them a humid hide. Trying to maintain a humidity in a glass tank with a screen top is nearly impossible, as well as cosntant wet conditions promote bacteria growth.

My advice is to relax, I've never had a snake not eat because of a little stuck shed. The big thing with balls is that you need to learn to go at their pace, sometimes they just dont feel like eating and will refuse meals for no reason now and then. As long as theyre healhy and acting normal theres absolutely no reason to worry. Keep offering only once a week or so, if he still hasnt eaten in about a month let us know.

THANKS DAEMON,
you are one of the few that dont tear into me and give me sane and seemingly good advice. i will try what you said . i use paper towels as my liner in the tank and mist it liberally quite a few times a day but the light evaporates it pretty quick. she finally shed from over her eyes so i am gonna wait a week at least before i try to feed her. i do have one more quesiton tho..do you put the wet rag or sponge into the hide? and change it every 3 days or so? keep it moist and that will be ok? thanks for the input!

DaemoNox · 03-08-08, 08:42 PM

I prefer damp moss, cypress mulch, or even some of that shreded coco fiber. If you need to you can use paper towels but they need to be changed more often. I prefer not to use anything thats reusable because it wet humid places bacteria can really grow and rags and sponges can be very hard to clean fully (its easier just to be able to toss). The above substrates too also have a bit of tannic acid, especially sphangnum moss that I know of, which is a naturally occuring acid found in vegetation and helps prohibit the growth of mold and things.

Morbids_Mom · 03-08-08, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemoNox

I prefer damp moss, cypress mulch, or even some of that shreded coco fiber. If you need to you can use paper towels but they need to be changed more often. I prefer not to use anything thats reusable because it wet humid places bacteria can really grow and rags and sponges can be very hard to clean fully (its easier just to be able to toss). The above substrates too also have a bit of tannic acid, especially sphangnum moss that I know of, which is a naturally occuring acid found in vegetation and helps prohibit the growth of mold and things.

ok i will pick up some spagnum moss and some cypress mulch. i will have to order it from online tho cause we have no good animal shops here. at least one that knows snakes that well. shouldnt cost too damn much. i wanna get a 20 gallon soon too cause the 10 is kinda cramped.

DaemoNox · 03-09-08, 02:10 PM

Look at garden stores, I rarely get any of my supplies from petstores because they are overpriced. I use cypress mulch (they come in big bags for about $4, used as landscaping mulch, be sure its not dyed or anything) for substrate for my bigger bodied higher humidity needing snakes.

For enclosure options you can look into plastic containers, very affordable and easy to clean/maintain humidity and heat enclosures.

Morbids_Mom · 03-10-08, 12:01 AM

thanks that is very good advice! i will get this cypress mulch next week when he gets paid again or when i get my child support..whichever comes first. i wish i knew construction and could make a beautiful enclosure like i have seen pictured in here..i just forget the thread... but i will look into the rubbermaid containers. you are right they should hold in the warmth and humidity better. get that the substrate and the rheostat all next week. thanks!