Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm having a hard time keeping the humidity in my tank. Could it be because I use sand? What kind of substrate is preferred?

Thanks

Why are you using sand for herps? it doesn't matter what kind you shouldn't be using sand with herps. read this article:http://pythons.com/calcium.html

I suggest switching to Lizard litter because it holds humidity well is easy to spot clean and is nice looking, also because it is the only substrate i have experience (3 days) with. IF you are using an aquarium cover about 2/3 of the screen with plastic wrap. If you are using a incandescent bulb those dry out the air. Change your substrate to either lizzard litter, carefresh, or cypress mulch those i know hold humidity well, not sure about aspen though because i have never used it and heard about the humidity holding properitys.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

Calcium sand and regular sand are very different. Regular sand is more passable, although still not digestible, and is fantastic for several herps, including sand boas, sandfish, and sand adders.
Not for ball pythons, though, of course.
-----
"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

Completely off topic but I thought I would throw in that while I was in Iraq I was lucky enough to capture a small sand fish. they are spectacular little lizards. Todd

i have never heard of a sand fish but they sound really cool. If you have a picture i would love to see.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a pic of him. If you are able to get a beck issue of Reptile magazine the Dec 2002 issue has an article about them. Truely fascinating creatures. Todd

np
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

Aspen does not hold humidity well. I use/like Lizard Liner (green felt like carpet) for my BP and I use crushed walnut shells (Lizard Litter) for my Kenyan Sand Boa since it doesn't hold humidity.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

Mine has kept my humidity at around 60% when on newspaper only held around 40%.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

since the bag says it's for desert species. Of course, I'm sure we have some differences in our setups. With your BP, I'm guessing you have a top that's covered, etc. With my Kenyan Sand Boa, he's in an aquarium with a screen top that is not covered at all.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

not the bark of some weird tree. I would suspect walnut shell not to hold moisture.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

.
-----
Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

>>I'm having a hard time keeping the humidity in my tank. Could it be because I use sand? What kind of substrate is preferred?
>>
>>Thanks

Aside from the whole.....YUCK over sand....
If you want the snake to have a higher humidity then I would try a humidity hide. Take a container the appropriate size for your snake, cut a hole in the lid, fill with damp spaghnum moss....long fiber,not milled peat. I don't fuss with the tank humidity, but I keep the moss damp.
I think it is Tigeren(sure, like I am gonna spell that right?) has trouble with a snake that won't use a damp hide. But I have had good luck with any of mine using them and shedding well. One young BP didn't use his right off and I soaked him and then put him in it. He figured it out after that.
-----
Sonya

Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with the software.