Humidity Rate And Feeding

[allergenic]

Good morning, I'm new to the forum and although I've kept monitors and other large lizards for almost 20 years, new to snakes and specifically ball pythons. I went ahead and searched prior to posting.

I purchased a CB 16inch female BP from a reputable breeder and read up on husbandry requirements. I went ahead and chose a locking 31QT flat long plastic tub and burned rows of ventilation holes with a soldering iron. I originally used newspaper as substrate, an UTH and large water dish on the warm side.

Unfortunately, humidity is at 90%.

I immediately took the snake out and burned 4 more rows of holes in the top (as ventilation is a humidity killer), moved the water dish to the cool side, changed the substrate to aspen bedding.

Still at 70%. Is this too high? From what I've read, ideal is 60% with a hide box humidity of 70-80%.

I like the ease of cleaning I've found using the tub, but I'm wondering if you guys have run into this at all. The humidity is high enough there is condensation on the sides.

She also ate 3 times in a row, and has refused her last 2 feedings, I'm assuming due to stress involved in changes to her housing. I've read not to be alarmed unless it's over a month, but wanted to double check.

Thanks for any help.
Bill

[DaemoNox]

What are the temps? Most under tank heaters get way too hot, especially with a large one and a large water dish its more then enough to up the humidity (mine tend to spill their dishes a lot too, which really shoots the humidity up). If the temp is fine and its still extremely humid you can always cut out a section of the lid and replace it with a fine screen, keeping the part you cut out as a way to control the humidity level. The big thing though is making sure the heater isnt too hot, while glass may handle it better pastic will warp and even melt, thermostats are needed for under tank heaters because of that.

[allergenic]

Thanks, I'll double check when I get home. I checked the night before last and if I remember, the substrate over the UTH was in the high 80s, if not 90 on the dot. Should be about 85?

[mykee]

90-95 for the warm side is ideal and a constant humidity level of 60%-ish would be optimal.
Are your temps measured on top of your loose bedding, or underneath the loose bedding, because those temps will vary GREATLY and may be cause for some serious issues.

[allergenic]

Originally Posted by mykee

90-95 for the warm side is ideal and a constant humidity level of 60%-ish would be optimal.
Are your temps measured on top of your loose bedding, or underneath the loose bedding, because those temps will vary GREATLY and may be cause for some serious issues.

I'm measuring the surface of the substrate with an infrared thermometer.

[DaemoNox]

Definatly try the bottom of the container, its going to be a lot warmer and its going to pick up all the moisture down there.

[mykee]

Balls will dig down into their loose substrate and encounter temperatures in many cases that will injure them. Something to keep in mind.....

[allergenic]

Ahh that makes a lot of sense, and could explain my moisture problem. I'll test below, and get a dimmer.

Thanks guys.