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 #1838038


BrettA
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 Humidity Question

Hi.

I’m having trouble keeping the humidity in my tank at ~50%.

It wants to be around 80% all the time.

I have a closed, wooden top, with ventilation built in. And I realize I could re-vamp the enclosure lid to provide more ventilation, which should bring the humidity down. However, if I put in a humid hide with some damp aspen, he seeks it out for portions of the day... would he do that if the humdity was too high for him?

My question is, how crucial is that 50% number? Is it OK at higher levels, or is this stressing my snake? Obviously I will take steps to reduce the humidity of you guys advise this is necessary.

Thanks.
08/21/08  09:19am

 #1838454


Lmonne
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   Message To: BrettA   In reference to Message Id: 1838038


 Humidity Question

40 to 60 % humidity is good but 80% is too high.
before you do anything i have one question........how are you measuring the humidity?
if your answer is with a cheap round stick-on hygrometer like the ones all pet stores have then go buy a real digital hygrometer. the cheap ones sometimes get knocked around and break. then they give off bad readings. so a digital one is the way to go. they are only 10 to 20 dollars.
ok if this is not the problem then yes you should for sure re-vamp the top. can you fit a screen top on it? or you can buy a dehumidifier for the room (be careful though some dehumidifiers make the whole room 90 degrees and are loud) get a smaller one that is quiet and put it next to the cage. but your room may be too big for a small dehumidifier to do anything.
one thing you want to think about is ..... ventilation. is there air flow in your room. maybe a small fan pointed at, or even better, above and across (not into) the cage. this will get the air moving a little and help with lowering humidity. even better you can take out the side walls of the cage and replace them with screen mesh.
and finally, only put the humid hide in the cage when he/she goes into blue (gets ready to shed) this should help if not im sorry i failed you. good luck. - Luis
08/21/08  04:27pm

 #1838517


BrettA
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   Message To: Lmonne   In reference to Message Id: 1838454


 Humidity Question

Thanks.... I’m pretty sure my problem is ventilation. While my hygrometer is a small cheap one, it does match the reading of the one in my cigar humidor, which is not a cheap one. When I put a screen lid in place the humidity straightens out.

I built the wooden top for aesthetics... I’m a half fast carpenter and like to make things look nice. But I will just have to open up the sides and add more vents. Shouldn’t be a big job. I just wondered how important it was.

What exactly do the differences in humidity do for a snake.... I’m not doubting you at all... I’m just one of those "gotta ask why" people. Why do snakes need a specific humidity? (or other herps, for that matter.)
08/21/08  05:10pm

 #1843212


BrettA
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   Message To: BrettA   In reference to Message Id: 1838517


 Humidity Question

Bump
08/26/08  04:27pm

 #1843233


Alligater
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   Message To: BrettA   In reference to Message Id: 1843212


 Humidity Question

I have never worried about humidity,I have 4 different kinds of snakes and the only thing I do the same with my cages is I use a large water bowl and when my snakes go into shed I mist them and if they are in their hid box I mist in there also,never had a shed problem. I would think my Black Milks would have a humidity problem because they are found at high elevations, but no..but they do like it cooler then the others



08/26/08  04:56pm


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