Tropical Mist

[CornySnakeUser]

After searching for the easiest way to keep a corn snakes tank well humidified and its color healthy, I found Zilla: TROPICAL MIST: Humidifying Spray. Does anyone have any prior experience, either in upping the humidity with it and/or spraying it on the snake, as the side recommends?

 

[jagodzinski]

I've never heard of this, so I don't have experience. However, CS really only need 40-55% humidity. Unless the air is really really dry (like from running heaters all day), you shouldn't need to do anything special for humidity. The only thing I do is offer a moist hide around shedding time. Too high humidity can actually have negative effects, such as causing an respiratory infection. CS are not tropical creatures really.

 

[DollysMom]

I would not use any spray mister product with a corn snake. I regularly provide a humid hide. The beauty of it is that my snake can control its own humidity. It is also fool proof as long as you make sure to squeeze out the sphagnum or paper towels so they are only damp and don't allow any standing water. A humid hide container only costs a couple of dollars and a few minutes of your time to make a hole and smooth it. Compare that to an expensive product that is not needed and may be detrimental to your corn snake.

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

you don't need to use a product like that. Too much humidity will cause mold and fungus in your tank, and can cause health issues, (Scale Rot, Blister Disease, Mouth Rot, Respiratory Infections) in your snake. Corn snakes are "Not" tropical animals and should not be treated as such. Natural humidity is fine. During the shedding process you might want to boost the humidity a tiny bit, but only during shedding. This can be done by spray misting the cage once or twice a day, or providing some moist sphagnum moss in his favorite hiding place. "Constant Misting and Humidification" would be a terrible "No-No" for corn snakes unless you lived in the desert.

 

[CornySnakeUser]

Humidity is 30%~ish inside the tank naturally. Should that be enough, or should I raise it by moss or misting?

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

30 to 50% is considered normal. maybe raise it to 60 or 70% only when shedding

 

[daddio207]

I have that product and use it. I do have tropical reptiles including snakes and use it on them when they are in their shed cycle.
I would also use it on a corn snake if it was having a shed issue.
It's not a product you would use just to raise humidity in a tank. It is OK to spray on a snake ( even a corn) if it has a dry skin or shed issue. You just give the snake a light spray (not the tank) when needed.
It has never raised the humidity or caused a mold issue if used as directed (8 fl.oz. spray helps prevent dry skin and shedding problems. Fortified with rich emollients and Aloe Vera. Heightens coloration and restores natural sheen. Easy to use, simple once-a-day spray straight from the mist bottle.).

 

[CornySnakeUser]

I have that product and use it. I do have tropical reptiles including snakes and use it on them when they are in their shed cycle.
I would also use it on a corn snake if it was having a shed issue.
It's not a product you would use just to raise humidity in a tank. It is OK to spray on a snake ( even a corn) if it has a dry skin or shed issue. You just give the snake a light spray (not the tank) when needed.
It has never raised the humidity or caused a mold issue if used as directed.

OK, thanks! Could it be sprayed in the tank if it drops below thirty?

While Arkansas is super humid by itself, for some reason the house appears to be below average in humidity.

 

[DollysMom]

A better strategy is a large water bowl and covering some of the screen top to help retain humidity. I use a towel to cover part of the screen in the winter when my humidity drops.

 

[jagodzinski]

Towel works great - some people even wrap half in saran wrap (obviously be very careful to leave half open - don't want to suffocate any snakes!)

The driest time of year for me is the winter when I am running the heater constantly. So I just add a personal sized humidifier in my room to counteract the heater. I've never had any major problems.

Unless you live somewhere like the desert, you probably won't have low enough humidity to cause problems. Too high humidity however, can cause lots of problems. Shedding is the time that humidity matters most and you can help out your snake by offering humid hide. If you are finding your snake is still having a really hard time shedding (coming off in pieces), then its usually okay to lightly spritz the sides, but do not do this often or too much, as that can have detrimental affects.

 

[yellowfox]

I have found that misting dosn't raise the humidity . But puttin wet moss in a container over the heat mat and covering most but not all of the top of the tank with plastic rap works best for me.

 

[daddio207]

OK, thanks! Could it be sprayed in the tank if it drops below thirty?

While Arkansas is super humid by itself, for some reason the house appears to be below average in humidity.

No, That's not what the product is made for.

As everybody suggested, a container with moisten moss and/or a daily misting with water are good ways to raise the humidity.
BUT is there even a problem yet to cure? bad shed or dry scales/skin ?
30% might suffice.

Usually during the colder months when we have central heat or a heat source running to keep a house warm it drys the air out. My humidity level in my house will get as low as 10%. I use a humidifier in my reptile room during the cold months.

 

[Nythain]

Arkansas really shouldn't have a problem with humidity, especially for a corn. I keep a boa which requires slightly more humidity just fine with kansas city air, even with central heat and ac. The only time you should worry about humidity as others have stated is if shedding becomes a problem, ie. the shed is incomplete or in pieces.