Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

Do yellow rats have higher humidity requirements than other rats? I feel like it's a dumb question since I've always assumed that mine does not require particularly high humidity, and he's always shed well, but lately he's been having some problems and I'm playing with enclosure conditions. I'm betting it's something else, but I figure it never hurts to check.

Thanks,
Billy

Yellow Rat Snakes don't mind high humidity. Look at where they are found in nature. Still, I have never seen a post in the last few years of folks having a problem because it was too dry there. Make sure that you have a large water container in its cage that the snake can soak in, and it should be fine.

Wish I could tell you more, but I live in S.E. Va. where low humidity is anything under 50%.

I live in Tucson so its often difficult to get my snake room above 50%. I always keep a moist hide in my obsoleta cages and they use it frequently.

>>Hello,
>>
>>Do yellow rats have higher humidity requirements than other rats? I feel like it's a dumb question since I've always assumed that mine does not require particularly high humidity, and he's always shed well, but lately he's been having some problems and I'm playing with enclosure conditions. I'm betting it's something else, but I figure it never hurts to check.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Billy

Hi, Billy.

I've always favored fairly high humidity for ratsnakes of all types. I live in Northern Michigan where the summer humidity is adequate, usually 55 to 70%. But in Fall and Winter, when the heat is on, the humidity starts to fall until it reaches about 30%, or lower, in the Winter months. Active snakes need a humid hide when the humidity is this low, most of the time. Also, I sometimes give snakes a humid hide when they are in the shed cycle. Another trick I use is to moisten (spray) their cages just before feeding. I keep large water jugs in their cages too, for soaking, etc.

Terry

Thanks everyone for the tips. It seems like there's a consensus on doing something to maintain at least moderate humidity.

He's been eating poorly and acting slow and listless. I'm working with a good vet on trying to figure out if it's anything pathalogical, but I'm working on covering all the other bases just in case it's something simple that I've over looked.

The snake had always eaten well (rats, mice, chicks - anything I threw in there) regardless of the humidity, but now I've been lightly spraying every couple days, and I'll give him a hide with some damp sphagnum moss just to be safe.

Thanks again,
Billy
Phillyherping