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humidity?????
- Thread starter MeanAce
- Start date
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
If you're using something like a plastic tub or a glass tank and the ventilation isn't good enough, then evaporation from the water bowl will cause excess humidity.
The snake is then at risk of fungal infections like scale rot.
I had a case last year. Not general humidity problems, but a snake that sat in a laying box (nice and damp....) for two months due to a false pregnancy. It took weeks of repeated disinfecting (both the snake and the viv!) to clear up the resulting scale rot. It's sure easier to prevent than to deal with.
The snake is then at risk of fungal infections like scale rot.
I had a case last year. Not general humidity problems, but a snake that sat in a laying box (nice and damp....) for two months due to a false pregnancy. It took weeks of repeated disinfecting (both the snake and the viv!) to clear up the resulting scale rot. It's sure easier to prevent than to deal with.
TWGarland
Active member
Im glad theres some fellow Brits to talk about humidity with, as humidity in the UK at the moment is awefull, 70% outside and thats quite low for here! Its nearly 60% in my vivarium, i have a heat lamp on at present to try and combat the humidity with some drying affects.
I always understood that corns shouldn't be kept in too humid conditions (40-50% being optimal) and that humidity being too high can lead to respiratory infections, hence my worry. Is that wrong, or perhaps an over-reaction? :shrugs:
Any advice will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Tom
I always understood that corns shouldn't be kept in too humid conditions (40-50% being optimal) and that humidity being too high can lead to respiratory infections, hence my worry. Is that wrong, or perhaps an over-reaction? :shrugs:
Any advice will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Tom
I just moved my corn, Jo, to a bioactive substrate, (BAS) a mixture of potting soil, peat, rock. The tank is glass with a screened top.
The humidity is great in there now because a BAS needs to be watered weekly and turned. misted daily. However, the top layer of the substrate is not damp. And, I do not water again until the top 1/3 is dry, usually weekly. I can tell through the glass when to water because the substrate changes colour when dry. The moisture comes from below, and subsequently distributes it'self rather evenly throughout.
I have lights on for the plants during the day, and a night viewing light at night. These both suck moisture out of the air but being that the ground below her is moist, she seems to get what she needs.
Prior to being on the BAS, she never shed in one piece, and I also had to assist her shed a couple of times. Yesterday, Jo shed, for the first time, in one complete piece. This was her first shed after being put onto a BAS. Also, she went "bluer" then ever before in that I have never seen her eyes so cloudy. She looks shiner and I am hoping, being that she has just one lung, that the moisture keeps her feeling hydrated inside as well.
From this experience, I feel that humidity is just as important as temperature as it takes care of different needs.
I don't think we can cut any corners in the husbandry of our captives and think that anything is not "important". Books and the folks here tell us from experience that all aspects should be monitored, so I do.
The humidity is great in there now because a BAS needs to be watered weekly and turned. misted daily. However, the top layer of the substrate is not damp. And, I do not water again until the top 1/3 is dry, usually weekly. I can tell through the glass when to water because the substrate changes colour when dry. The moisture comes from below, and subsequently distributes it'self rather evenly throughout.
I have lights on for the plants during the day, and a night viewing light at night. These both suck moisture out of the air but being that the ground below her is moist, she seems to get what she needs.
Prior to being on the BAS, she never shed in one piece, and I also had to assist her shed a couple of times. Yesterday, Jo shed, for the first time, in one complete piece. This was her first shed after being put onto a BAS. Also, she went "bluer" then ever before in that I have never seen her eyes so cloudy. She looks shiner and I am hoping, being that she has just one lung, that the moisture keeps her feeling hydrated inside as well.
From this experience, I feel that humidity is just as important as temperature as it takes care of different needs.
I don't think we can cut any corners in the husbandry of our captives and think that anything is not "important". Books and the folks here tell us from experience that all aspects should be monitored, so I do.
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
I use the commercial melamine viv with sliding glass doors. They generally have very good air movement (through the air vents and also through the overlap in the glass doors) which prevents them becoming too humid. I don't have a problem with them, even living in a poorly-ventilated flat. I worry if I see condensation, but that's only if I use bark substrate direct from the bag without drying it first, and then it normally clears in a matter of hours. I have no signs of a problem at the moment, so I'd lay bets that you're fine.
If you're worried, try switching to newspaper substrate for a couple of weeks. If the only sign of dampness when you change it is from faeces, then I'd say you don't have anything to be concerned about.
