damp hide

hi guys,
iv seen a few people mention that they have put damp hides in there tanks for there snakes. I know that this benefits the snake when they are in shedding, but do they generally just like to go in there if they are not shedding as well??
Could someone please direct me on how to make a damp hide for my snake??
many thanks.

I leave my snake's humid hide in his tank all the time, its turned into his favorite place. Although when hes not about to shed I just let it dry out and he still likes it more than the store bought one. You can use almost any size appropriate plastic container with a lid, just put some damp paper towel in it or moss and cut out hole so he/she can get in. But don't cut too big of a hole otherwise it will just dry out really fast. Here is a picture of mine, its just a old sour cream container.


---Kenny

And yes I felt the need to put a sign on it that says "Shed Sauna". But that part isn't mandatory


---Kenny

haha thats brilliant.
Shall i use warm water to wet the towels? Also will it not matter once the warmth goes out of the paper towels are cold....or will it stay hot?
This might sound a bit silly but what kind of paper towels work best? lol i could just use tissue paper? or would something a bit stronger be better for the job cos toilet roll or tissue paper will just go all soggy? like newspaper or sumfin?
Shall i fill it about 70% full so he has room to get in and out without being to squashed?
thanks for the help.

oh ye...just thought of this.........
if he is in shed and goes in there, will he stay in there whilst his skin is shedding, or will he usually come out to get rid of his skin wer he has more room?
:cheers:

Whenever I convert my snake's hide to a humid hide, he still comes out to shed his skin. Remember they need something to rub against usually to get it off.

You're thinking about it waaaay too much.

An appropriately sized container with a few layers of towels. Soak the towels down and that's it. warm water, cold water, doesnt matter. Change the towels if they get moldy or pooped-on.

Mine loves his humid hide. He's in there half of the time when the humidity in the room drops below 50%. Even though its on the cool end, he likes to go in there right after he eats.

Mine will come out minutes before shedding if he's going to shed.

ye i know i have been a bit stressed out this week. i just want to make sure hes ok and everythin.
this site is a HUGE help though!

Relax

Hi Brtrude, my snake has an old plastic lunchbox with a hole cut in the top and filled with moss. It is in her viv all the time but I only keep it really moist when she is in blue and about to shed. She spends most of her time in there. My theory is that she feels totally safe as she is completely enclosed and don't worry about your snake not having enough space, they seem to like when they are really squeezed in to places. I was like you and worried all the time when I first got her, now I have realised that as long as you supply them with the basic requirements, snakes are really easy animals to keep.

Spend as much time on this site as you can and you will continue to learn, it has really helped me sleep easier in my bed!!!! :spinner:

ye i know what you meen. i feel like i have learned so much in just the space of a week.!!! lol i think i actually have one of them moss pots. They sent it with my tank....but im not sure that its deffo moss......does moss just kind of look like dried up plant roots?? Light brownish colour?? if thats right i deffo have a moss pot ready for him when he needs it. I put it in at the beginnin of the week but i actually took it out because i couldnt see him or n e fin and i was well paronoid about wer he was! (i know thats silly and when i put it bak in i will deffo be leaving it in!) So should i actually give the moss a spray with the water sprayer then to make it nice and moist for him??
You guys are all legends!!!! seriously!!!!

The moss will probably be damp anyway to begin with. Leave it for a while then spray every now and then. The only time I really keep it constantly moist is when she goes into blue, just before a shed. Usually results in 100% shed each time.

Have fun and enjoy your snake, it does get less stressful as you learn more.

Cheers :cheers: