First Python! Humidity? Uvb light?

regi375 · 01-27-17, 07:03 AM

I got my first python on Saturday as a birthday present. The little guy is named Jethro and about only a foot long. He came from a pet shop that I trust. Seriously, the place is awesome. They gave me a record of his feedings and sheds. OK, I'm getting a little off topic here.

I've done some research online into their care, and very few articles touch on humidity. One said between 50-70%. The guy at the pet shop said to just keep one side of the cage moist, keeping the humidity 20-50%. Just wanting to know what others thought about this.

Also I'm curious about UVB lighting. I know it's not necessary, but several articles said it may be beneficial. I have a spare one sitting around so I could set it up. Just wondering if there was a downside or health risk associated with it.

Going to give you guys a description of my cage to see if you have any tips or advice too. He's currently housed in a 20long, one side being kept at a constant 85°f with red basking bulbs and a small heat pad (I have it hooked up to a thermostat to keep the temperature consistent). On that side of the cage he has a hide with multiple branches stacked on top intertwined with a leafy fake plant. On the cooler side of the cage I have a hollow half log as another hide and his water dish (which is big enough and deep enough for him to soak if he so chooses). Looking forward to your input!

Cricket1234 · 01-27-17, 04:40 PM

As of humidity, a Ball Python needs about 60%. Around that is good. As for the UVB, by all means go for it! While a Ball Python does not need it, if you have it, there is nothing wrong with going above and beyond. (unless you have another animal that needs the light) Just remember to keep the UVB on for only 8 to 12 hours a day. Anymore can stress out these nocturnal animals. Congrats on getting your snake btw!

regi375 · 01-27-17, 06:08 PM

Sorry, neglected to mention that he's a Spotted Python.

akane · 01-27-17, 07:21 PM

A few of mine have uv lighting because several of my lights are salvaged from what I call the aquarium junk yard at a store near us lol I'm told it's really not necessary and most don't use it with no noticeable ill effects but it does no harm either provided you keep it within reason and consider the conditions your species evolved to live in.

regi375 · 01-28-17, 02:02 PM

yeah, I have a low wattage basking bulb set up currently to provide a day/night cycle so I'm most likely just going to keep using that. Just keep the spare I have in case the one for my beardie goes out.

**EL Ziggy** · 01-28-17, 07:59 PM

As long as your spotted python always has access to clean fresh water ambient humidity should be fine. I keep carpets which have pretty similar husbandry needs and my humidity ranges from 30-60% depending on the time of year. I've never had a bad shed or RI. If you want to add a moist hide that's fine but probably not necessary. I don't use uv lighting for any of my snakes. Again, it may not be necessary but I don't think it'll hurt anything.

akane · 01-29-17, 02:58 AM

I did a quick look but it seems lots of people can't get a solid humidity recommendation for spotted pythons. They don't seem real picky as long as they have a water dish. I might mist during shed if it's really dry out. Our house got below 20% a few weeks ago. I needed misting :P At first I thought my one humidity gauge so far had malfunctioned but then we woke up with sore throats and dry eyes. Best I can do with a humidifier is 25% until the weather warmed a bit and we got rain instead of ice. Went from 10% to 85%. Welcome to Iowa. I temporarily had to move my blood to the aquarium room and gave him a bigger water bin with an aquarium bubble stone in it.

regi375 · 01-29-17, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akane

I did a quick look but it seems lots of people can't get a solid humidity recommendation for spotted pythons. They don't seem real picky as long as they have a water dish. I might mist during shed if it's really dry out. Our house got below 20% a few weeks ago. I needed misting :P At first I thought my one humidity gauge so far had malfunctioned but then we woke up with sore throats and dry eyes. Best I can do with a humidifier is 25% until the weather warmed a bit and we got rain instead of ice. Went from 10% to 85%. Welcome to Iowa. I temporarily had to move my blood to the aquarium room and gave him a bigger water bin with an aquarium bubble stone in it.

Same problem I ran into. No good recommendations for humidity. So I'm just going to mist half the cage everyday and go from there. What else can I do, ya know? Lol

akane · 01-30-17, 03:46 AM

If the humidity is over 20% and they aren't shedding they are probably fine which is why it's hard to find details. They are a hardy snake from a few environments including heavily rocky which would likely be low humidity so given that I'd not worry about it too much. The only one I get concerned about is my blood python and somewhat the anole lizards because they don't drink from dishes well so must be able to acquire enough moisture from misting and food to counter the loss to the air and bodily processes. If the humidity is very low when they are shedding I would mist more frequently than once a day, unless you have a substrate that can hold a lot of moisture at once with no ill effects. Usually I see 60% aimed for in shedding snakes. Some do fine in 40% like my bull snake but those things you practically have to try to kill once they get any size on them.

Humidity gauges aren't overly expensive but you are better off getting one sold for checking the weather than listed for reptiles. Especially if you don't want to pay for reptile digital prices. Those dials with arrows aren't worth the plastic they are made out of. You'll pay less for more accuracy looking at alternative materials. They put the reptile label on it and it costs 4-10x more than the quality is worth in other applications. If it's even worth buying in the first place.