Humidity hide: always, or just during shed? (Plus hide question)

[LadyJemima]

Bear with me guys -- I am doing a TON of research but sometimes the information is conflicting (or absent), so I'll probably have more questions over the coming week. Super appreciate of your responses.

1. So, humidity hides. I've read some places to always have them because it gives the snake a nice humid place to hang, and others say only needed pre- and during-shed period.

2. Also, exactly how much Sphagnum Moss to you put in? Just enough to line the bottom of the hide? I saw one tutorial that literally packed it to the ceiling with just a little room for the snake to go in.

3. Does the Sphagnum Moss affect the aspen bedding? Should a humidity hide ideally have a bottom that separates the hide from the bedding?

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

I have a "Cave Type Hide" made of a porcelain type of material, completely enclosed except for an entry hole just big enough for the snake. I keep the cave about half full of sphagnum moss. He "Arranges it himself" when he goes in there. Sometimes he lays on top of it, sometimes he burrows to the bottom. I keep the moss dry except when he's going into shed, then I moisten it about every 2 days. Once he finishes shedding I replace it with dry moss again.

You can keep wet moss in there all the time if you want to, as long as you also give the snake a "Dry Option" too. Some people in very dry arid climates have to maintain Wet Hides all the time because the humidity is just too low.

Most people who use a wet hide, do not place the moist moss directly on the Aspen, rather they use an enclosed hide as I described above. You can use a simple cheap plastic tupperware bowl with removable lid, just make a hole in it somewhere slightly bigger than the snake. But if you do this, make sure the cut out hole does not have any sharp edges.

You can buy nice porcelain or clay hides at pet sores or online as well if you don't mind spending a few bucks.

Here is a picture of the one I use. The lid comes off for easy cleaning.

 

[DollysMom]

That picture of Rufus in his hide is too cute!

All my snakes have a humid hide option at all times. One has one on the lines of Karl's Rufus and two have homemade plastic ones.

I have two recommendations. First keep it clean. Second, keep it damp but not sopping. My snakes have sometimes sat in there days on end with no ill effects. I use sphagnum moss in mine. I think it's the best.

Answers:

1. All the time or in shed-- your choice

2. 1/2 to 2/3 full but very fluffed up. The snake will burrow in it. If your snake can't fit its time for a bigger hide.

3. It does not affect the aspen at all in my experience.

 

[Tavia]

It's up to you, all the time or only at shed. But especially for year plus old females and those that are unknown, giving them a humid hide at all times, which is the same thing as a lay box, can be very helpful. It doesn't happen often but a female corn is capable of laying infertile eggs even if she's never been near another snake. Not having a good place to lay them if she does decide to produce a clutch can cause her to hold onto them too long and ups the chance that she could become eggbound.