Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I've recently acquired my first snake ever (10wk old normal-color corn) and have set him up in a 5 gal aquarium (temporary until he gets a bit bigger, he's only 13in atm, and I get out of the dorms)... there's a pic in my gallery.

However, I'm having a huge problem keeping the humidity above 40%, which, I've heard, is the at least the minimum preferred. Part of the problem is probably that I live in Colorado, which is not the most humid place in the states. I have a mister which I use fairly often (every hour or so, when I'm not in class), but I can't seem keep the humidity over 25-30%. Does anyone have any suggestions for maintaining humidity? Should I get an automatic fogger or something?

Thanks!
-Redkite7
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http://redkite7.deviantart.com
Poor College Student: Email me about Pet Portraits!

First off, if you have a screen top, cover it.
I cover my screen tops with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, taped the the frame of the screen top.I just leave enough open for the heat lamp. That gives sufficient air flow as well.
Add a big enough water bowl.
You can use an automatic mister. I have used HabaMister with some success.You can add some spaghnum moss that is wet.
Using the above methods as a start, 40% humidity should be easy enough.I have my house heated with forced hot air, and when I neglect my tanks, they bottom out at about 40% humidity.
What are you using for substrate?

I'm using Forest Bed expandable substrate... it's shredded/diced coconut husk and shell. It holds moisture pretty well although the combination of the heat lamp I have and Colorado's dry air dries it out pretty fast. I've been adding about a cup or so of water to it every other day to keep it moist and add to the humidity.

I keep the screen top covered at night with a hand towel to keep it from getting too cool... I'll try the foil as well, thanks!

-Redkite7
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http://redkite7.deviantart.com
Poor College Student: Email me about Pet Portraits!

You don't need an automatic fogger or anything. Continue using the substate you have and add a bit of water as needed.

I like the idea of a layer of foil with a towel on top.

Don't get too worried about humidity. Chances are the humidity is fine down in the substrate where I'd guess your snakes is burrowed much of the time.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

i feel that if you follow the suggestions - the aluminum foil, then keep adding water as needed, you should be fine. when your snake gets close to shedding, you may need to add a shed box...basically a box with warm wet paper towels - extremly high humidity to help the shedding process, or soak in warm water for 15-20 minutes at a time.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Caligula)... coming soon

I agree with Chris regarding the substrate humidity.
I use cypress mulch, and I turn it over often.
You'd be suprised how my humidity levels go up when I do that.
You cans ee how moist the underpart of the substrate is just by the difference in color.
Again, for something easy, get yourself some moss, and keep the substrate moist underneath it.
A moist hidebox will do the same thing.

Have you considered using a small UTH regulated to the proper temp by either a T-stat (preferable) or a R-stat, instead of the heat lamp? It sure made a difference for me. Hope that helps.