Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been using Micro Fiber Cloths for my moist hides. I've read on here many people use Sphagnum Moss and or Eco earth, I wanted to try something different. So far it's working out great, mine seem to like it just fine. I use a old deli meat container with a bunch of holes and a opening. Have noticed mine like to go into it after feeding and also during shed.

The cost of the cloths was 33 cents at the dollar store. I bought a bunch of them as you can see by the
photo. For what I would have paid in buying S. Grass, I now have a reusable source for a moist hides. They clean easily and dry fast. I change them out about every two to three weeks, or as needed, they have pooped in it a couple times...which is great, makes it much easier to deal with poop that way.

I was a bit hesitant at first, thinking there would be too much added humidity in the inclosure, but as it works out it's on the cool end of the cage.....so the humidity is limited.....all the holes in the container that holds the deli container makes good air flow....at least it's been the case these past 3 months.

BR "Big Red" has shed once and the shed was one piece. She didn't have a problem at all during the week she went blue. She stayed in there most of the time, would come out to roam around and heat up a bit and then back in.

Anyone one else using different methods for their moist hides? Other than S. Grass or Eco earth? Would like to compare notes if so.

No this isn't BR This is a plain ole Texas Wood Snake, very common around these parts.

Interesting.

reako45

This type of conversation is, context. While the conversation is good, the context is not so good. For instance, I keep most of my hogs with no moist hides and they all shed in one piece. They are not kingsnakes. That means, hogs are more like Crots, in they have very thick skin, and do not shed often. Kings have very thin skin and shed very often.
The point is not that we disagree, the point is how we keep the animals. If your cage has ventilation, it will REQUIRE a moist spot. Or you can simply not allow moisture to escape and have no need for a moisture box. With kings, I think a moisture box is a good idea, no matter what kind of cage you have. With Hogs and crots, it does depend on the cage, as they are build to not require a high moisture substrate.
The key to keeping herps is to prevent dehydration, not treat it. In nature, they do not allow themselves to become dehydrated by drying air. NORMALLY

This is true, however, does it apply to Texas Wood Snakes? haha. I know this is hognose forum but I guess he thought he'd post here. I mean it may be for a hognose but his last line he says the set-up is for a texas wood snake (refer to previous text-chuckle).

Its about snakes and herps in general. In my opinion, all captive snakes are chronically dehydrated. Most to a minor degree, many to a fatal degree.
If you follow my or anyones field work, its easy to understand. In nature, all reptiles spend the vast majority of their time LIVING, in holes that are selected for the right humidity and are not exposed to air movement.
The recommendation of preventing dehydration is actually far more important to wood snakes then it is hognose.
Hognose have wonderfully thick skin like rattlensnakes. Which is a protection aimed at preventing dehydration. And while Hogs can withstand drying conditions for longer periods then smooth skinned snakes, They still require protection from loss of water balance in their bodies.
What I discussed is what is most important, cages that allow the animal to protect itself from dehydration. Ask any "good" vet. drinking water is not protection from chronically dry cages. It just prolongs the process and ends up in skeletal or visceral gout. Which is very common in zoo animals. And for good reason, to make good displays, a cage must have lots of air space. Then to heat the animal requires lites to be placed outside the cages, so lots of air is heated and causes lots of air movement which takes moisture out of the top of the cage.
Enough thanks and please think about this.

I have used this idea in the past for my hognoses. I didn't make the towels/cloth moist though, I just folded them up and the snakes seemed to enjoy hiding in them over more natural hides such as half-logs and rocks. I have seen this with corns, kings, water snakes, ribbon snakes, and ring necks too. They all seem to prefer some spot or another with cloth/towel with or without it being moist.

I don't think its a temp thing either because I keep my temps are healthy levels for each of my snakes.

I do this out of concern for the snake. My humidity levels in my house are very low, my thinking is if they need it they will be drawn to it. If they don't, well then they will avoid it.

It's been my experience in the past captive snakes tend to suffer from excess dehydration (aspen, open air, excess heat)....usually because they lack the moisture they seek in the ground. So to make up for it, I offer a solution/choice. It's pretty much the same as offering a big water bowl for them to soak in if they desire. The main reason for the hide is that I don't have enough room in the container for a water bowl.

I was very surprised to see how easily the shed was for BR. I've read about eye caps being somewhat of a problem with some sheds...so I'm just being proactive.

I've heard of some keepers in the Tucson area that just observe snakes without actually trying to help theirs out. I'm helping mine out as much as I can in a captive environment. We do things a bit different in Texas you know

Interesting reply. Dude you do have some real problems. If you remember some in Tucson supported hogs with deep humid substrate, in boxes larger then your whole cage.

Why I say you have some odd problem is, I was not aware of any keeper in Tucson saying you should not do what your doing. The use of moisture boxes in snake cages dates back many many many decades.

Your reference to Tucson is also odd as there has been no mention of eyecap or shedding problems. In fact, as one who lives in Tucson, I have not experienced that type of problem. But if I did, it would first address it by preventing the problem, then if the problem still existed, by providing a moisture box of some sort. A towel is nice, but they tend to dry out quickly and are not all that natural.

If I meet anyone in Tucson with the problems you mentioned, I will advise them to see you. Best wishes