I just recently got a juvenile ball python roughly a month ago. From all the research I have done and various breeders that I have spoken with, they recommend keeping the humidity between 60-70%, with upwards of 80% during shedding. However, my humidity keeps dropping and I was wondering if there are any good ways to keep it up.
For reference, I pour water into the corners 1-2 times a week, and will spray water in with a spray bottle periodically. My bp is currently in a 10 gallon glass tank(which I know isn’t the best for temperature but there will be an upgrade to a pvc enclosure soon), with coconut bedding inside.
I would appreciate any feedback on the best ways to keep the humidity higher. Thank you guys!
Does your enclosure have a screen top? If so, that’s likely the issue. It just allows for too much evaporation too quickly. I’d recommend covering at least half the screen with heat-resistant foil tape (usually sold as HVAC tape). It ain’t pretty, but it’ll get the job done without creating a fire hazard with your heating elements.
(Note: avoid covering the entire screen, as you’ll still need ventilation.)
Also recommend using a substrate that holds moisture well, like coco husk or cypress mulch, if you’re not already. (Edit: just saw you’re already using coco, apparently my reading comprehension sucks the first time around.)
Seconding the HVAC tape for screen top enclosures, it will help
Be careful doing this, standing water under or in substrate + unseen/uncleaned waste will harbor harmful bacteria that can and will harm your BP. Just make sure that the substrate isn’t becoming oversaturated anywhere when you do this and that you are vigilant about spot cleaning.
A much safer method you can do while figuring out the humidity issue is to make a humid box filled with moist sphagnum moss to make sure your BP is having good sheds.
Larger water bowls also help with humidity as the water evaporates naturally.
I second the humidity box filled with damp sphagnum moss and or a larger surface area water bowl as opposed to pouring water into the tank for the reason stated above (bacteria). When you get your PVC enclosure your humidity worries will be over.
In the meantime, if your BP does have trouble with a shed despite these suggestions, we can help you with that too so don’t spend too much time worrying about something that might not even happen anyway.
And anytime you want to show off your snake, we will love seeing pictures!!!
