Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I was wondering If i need to get a humid hide setup for my snakes when they are shedding. I replaced my hondos bedding with Exo Terra Forest Bark, since it looks more tropical, is somewhat moist, and makes a perfect humid hide. However, my pueblan is still using aspen shavings, and I am wondering if I need to buy a humid hide for her when she sheds

I never was an advocate of humid hides in my cages. I never had any snakes with problems as long as a suitable size water bowl was present. However, I have juvie bull having some shed problems and I attribute it to the dryer winter conditions in the house due to central heat. So, I would say it depends and at most can't hurt. If the snake in question is shedding fine without it, so be it. If not, increase the size of the water bowl or at least provide a humid hide during shed.

I'd say it's best to provide it as an option for the snake to use, and why buy one if you can make one? Naturalistic?
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Todd Hughes

I've got a pretty big water bowl for King, a hide in the warm area (just put in a mac and cheese box to give him a little more security). He's had issues with shed....he's been in shed for probably the past week now without losing any significant part of his old skin, only a few inches of the top of him near his head. We've got Aspen bedding for him, and I took the aspen that the water bowl was on so he can't curl up under his bowl like he was prone to do.
I'm in MA, so the air is really dry during the winter and certainly not helped by the central heat. I've read somewhere that misting the bedding may give a little more humidity to the habitat. Any opinions on this?

What is the humidity reading in the terrarium? If it's less than 50%, the LARGE bowl mentioned above may be sufficient to both raise the humiksity level and provide a way that your snake call fully immerse itself in water, which many like to do before the shed. Some substrates can actually lower the humidity, and aspen can do this, while cyprus can actually increase it.

If the large water bowl doesn't suffice, I'd go for a shedding hide. Misting can also be done, but I like to stay away from increased maintenance if the other methods work...

Yeah, a plastic shoebox. Fill with sphagnum moss (best moss is New Zealand shpagnum - doesn't smell like moss).

I use a hole saw about 2" in diameter and cut a hole in the side of the box. Easy, works. Place box over a heat pad partially.

Milks live underground where they don't dry out. They dry out in cages when humidity is low.
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Mark

Certain times of year when humidity is low - yes.

Or soak in very shallow water for 5 minutes periodically to hydrate the snake. Either way works.

See below:
Yeah, a plastic shoebox. Fill with sphagnum moss (best moss is New Zealand shpagnum - doesn't smell like moss).

I use a hole saw about 2" in diameter and cut a hole in the side of the box. Easy, works. Place box over a heat pad partially.

Milks live underground where they don't dry out. They dry out in cages when humidity is low. Milks have thin skin compared to, say, gophersnakes, rattlesnakes, cornsnakes, etc.
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Mark