Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a BP over the weekend. He's 6 months old and about 12-15 inches long. he won't stop squirming long enough to get an acurate read. LOL! I've got everything he needs, but I havenot been able to raise the humidity above 50%. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions?

I already have a HUGE water bowl, and I mist about every hour.

50% is good. What type of enclosure is he in. A screen top aquarium won't hold humidity very well unless you cover about 2 thirds of it. Also a basking lamp will dry the air even more.(don't use one)
A UTH with cypress that has been misted will help raise humidity.
In Kevin's book, the use of damp spagnum moss to help raise humidity is touched upon.
Some people will even use damp towels.
My snake room stays at about 50% humidity(humidifier). I mist when they are going through a shed cycle.
Hope this helps.

David Perkins

Since he is so little, I have him in a 10 gallon enclosure with a screen top. I do have a basking spot lamp, but he loves that, a little afraid to move it. I was reading the trouble shooting guide to ball pythons and it said closer to 60 or 80% for them. If it's 50% then I'll stop worrying.

i'm just nervous. I feel like a new mom all over again. LOL.

Chelly

BPs really do not need anything special in terms of supplemental humidity, excpet during a shed. anything above 60% is asking for trouble. My humidity goes as low as 30-35% during the winter. In more than 15 years, with literally hundreds of animals, I have not had 1 RI. If I were you, I'd just mist a couple times a day during a shed cycle. This idea that BPs require high relative humidity is one of the more annoying myths that pop up from time to time...

they need solitude and calm securi. they are timid animals and you are going to stress it out. if you do feel a need to mist, put the snake in its hide so its not being hit directly. a tub full of damp moss is far better.

tree boas get misted regularly, not terrestrial ball pythons.

I agree. I use a couple of glass screen tops, just because I love to have some snakes "on display". That being said, you have to be extra attentive to the animals security. I use multiple hides, as well as a "humidity box". Basically it is a hide with a thick bed of moss. Don't be shy with the moss. If theres lots in there, your snake will feel secure, and you won't have to get it too wet. Too much water encourages mold. I change the moss every five days. (feeding days).Some have said that five days is not nescessary, but I figure it can't be too clean, and I get the moss pretty cheap. Humidity in these enclosures hovers around 30%, but my snakes always have the option of a nice clean, secure humidity box. I have noticed that they tend to go in there to poop. Otherwise, they know whether or not they need it, and will use it to shed.

Hope this helps.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."