Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My high white cal-king appears to be doing good. I purchased the terrarium snake kit. It came with 20 gal long tank and two lamps. A day lamp and a night lamp. When the day lamp is on the humidity falls below 40. What is the best way to keep the humidity up?

The easiest thing to do is supply it with a moist hide box, with moistened spagnum moss. I know most plastic boxes are not very natural looking but you can hide it under some plastic plants or something to make it more appealing. Some people place one on the cool side and one on the warm side. So even if the cage is dry the snake can retreat to the moist box. One is good enough.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

You should ditch the lamps, and go with an UTH(under tank heater) on one side of the enclosure set at the mid 80's down on the floor substrate where the snake actually is, and the cooler side being a normal comfortable room temp as the rest of the house(mid 70's or so). They are mainly nocturnal dweller's and do not need all that blazing light source. That will help keep the humidity from being too low immediately as all that lighting is drying the enclosure(and snake) even more. But you also have to figure depending on where you live that these winter months setting in will also make the ambient relative humidity in your house even dryer STILL.

Most colubrids do well when the relative humidity is above around 40 percent or better, much lower than that and they can begin to have shedding issues. I have noted this personally for many years.

Simply ditch all that lighting and go with UTH, and make sure the snake has a few hides in each area, and things should work fine.

You can also ezperiment with covering portions of the cage top to to retain more humidity, or simply ad a "humid hide" container with moistened sphagnum moss inside it.

Whatever you do though, you need to closely monitor and KNOW what the temps are on both sides down where the snake is with an accurate thermometer. Guessing at temps can lead to serious health issues, and even death if you don't pay close attention to what is going on as you change these conditions.

regards, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks, I will try the hide box first. I got rid of the bark bedding that came with the kit and replaced it with aspen. It seems a lot dryer but i think my snake likes it becouse he can burrow under it easyer.

It slipped by me but Doug is right. The lamps are part of your problem. If you definatley want lights on for the set up, at least go for Flourescent lights, which don't generate as much heat. Pet shops will sell you anything they can. The under tank heater is also good but get one with a variable switch that let's you adjust the intensity. Many just plug into the wall and that's it.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Everything Doug said....and think of the electricity and fire hazard reduction if you ditch the lights. A heat pad is under 20 watts easy and not 400 plus degrees surface temp. AND you don't blow bulbs every minute. Remember too that snakes by nature don't like to come out in the bright lights. It is intimidating for them and somewhat stressful.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Ok Y'all have convinced me to use under the tank heat. Thanks for all the great info.

Is there anything else we can do you out of? Good luck with your snake man!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Yea, one more thing, Remember I'm a newbee. If your snake refuses to eat a thawed out pinky, can you refreeze it for next time?

I guess it depends on how long it's been sitting out. I have done it in the past, but only if it sits out for just an hour or so. But these days I have so many babies, that I just give it to some other snake that I know will eat it. You know what they say the only bad question is the one not asked! Sometimes more experienced people get a bit frustrated with newbie questions and I have seen that, but I try to remember to help newbies as much as possible. If anyone gives you a hard time just ignore them. There are several of us here who don't mind helping. I do wish people would do some research before they buy an animal. Not saying you, your questions are good ones, but we do see some real doozies here.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I can imagine some of the questions. Let me know if I ask one of those. It seems like some of the more simple question are not asked or answered in books. That's why I like this forum, cause I can get some good info from veteran people.

Has anyone ever used a fogger for your snake?

>>Has anyone ever used a fogger for your snake?

Um, No. I can't imagine a snake that needs one for the most part. Usually a humid hide or covered vents is all you need. Now if you are trying to raise bloods in the desert....you might want a humidifier. Here in upstate NY if I used a fogger I would have a swamp. With kings, corns, ratsnakes I don't need to change anything but a bit of heat.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I agree a fogger is not needed. It would probably cahes more problems. There may be some snakes that would benifit from one, if it required very wet conditions, but you would need a completely different set up. You would probably have to go with gravel instead of dry chips. But many snake are susceptable to blisters in wet conditions even garter snakes. So giving the snake the option to choose a moist hide is the best set up.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra