Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been keeping Rosy Boas now for 8 years now. When I lived in Arizona the humidity was low, now that I live in Dallas Texas, the humidity is usually 60%. I want to still use the rubbermaid 28 QT rack system, and I keep the snakes in a large walk in closet.
does anyone have any ideas on lowering the humidity in this closet?
4FT by 10FT

Thanks

Keven

I hear you. Rosies can live in slightly elevated humidity if the cage is very well ventilated. They do best in areas where elevated humidity is sporadic- more seasonal perhaps but not 100% of the time. That is just the reality of it, and in some areas limits people from keeping rosies.

Screen top cages go a long way in helping with the issue. Also, the type of rosies kept. For example, coastal rosies and Mexican rosies tend to do fine in moderate humidity from my experience. I've been in Baja at a site where trivs were found, and it was humid as all heck in Spring and Summer. I live about 60 miles from an area where coastal rosies have been found not more than a few miles from the beach.

It is those desert rosies which are most sensitive.

A friend of mine lives close to the beach and experiences an average higher humidity than at my house. His rosies thrived in plastic boxes when he left the water bowl out except for a few days once every month or so. He opens the window alot to let in fresh air each day. However, I bet where you live it is even more humid. I suggest lots and lots of air holes in the boxes and no water bowl for long periods. If the rosies do not thrive, then you will have to go with screen top cages. And if it is still a problem, get kingsnakes instead and send me any Mexican or Mid-Baja rosies only (I live in So Cal. Laws, you know.)
-----
Mark

Hey Mark

I used to live in Phoenix and my rosy's really did good.
The Kings do awesome out here. I have a Harquahala Rosy
that is throwing up, had to get him on small pinks, he hasn't
thrown up in 2 months so I think he is ok, I am going to get him checked out though, got to find a good reptile vet here in Dallas.
So far I have Cottonwood Mountains 0.4, Harquahala Mountains 1.0,
and 2.0 San Matias. Kingsnakes I have a Arizona Mountain Kingsnake for the Huachuca Mountains 1.0 and a coastal california Kingsnake. I plan to get more roseys in the future Im really working hard on the Cottonwoods though. Is the IRBA still doing the shows out there? It is sad that not many people are breeding rosy's that much.

Keven

Hi there Keven,

Do you remember back in the day, the IRBA show would have so many killer rosies that is was nothing short of amazing. (Now all replaced by ball pythons..). The rosy following has definitely waned here in So Cal.

Fortunately there are enough rosy enthusiasts in the US to keep some great bloodlines alive and well.

Ooh, Cottonwoods. Those can be very sensitive to humidity. They are stunning, aren't they? Even the browner ones are just beautiful IMO.

Glad the problem rosy seems to be getting better. Take care.
-----
Mark

Yes is very sad what this market is looking like now. Oh well less competition for me. I know I can get some awesome rosy's and other fine kingsnakes. I really miss my Durango, and California Mountain Kingsnakes. I'm trying to find some Dade County Florida Kingsnakes, they are the bright yellow ones from the south tip of Florida. Do you go hunting California Kingsnakes that much? Im going to hunt out here in North Texas this spring, gotta watch out for tornadoes, and copperheads!!!!! Storm chasing and Herping!!!! LOL

Keven

It's called Damp rid.

I get the ones that come in a bag form that you can hang on a railing in your closet.

I use it in my apartment where my rosies are located, it works great. I live in statesboro ga where the humidity can get up to 80%. I replace my damp-rids about once every 40 days or so, whenever they are full.
-----
~Justyne Dickson
www.eboas.net

WOW, and I thought we had it bad in Texas!!!!!! Where can you get this damp rid at? Will it damage clothes?

Keven