Trying to increase humidity for a shed

[serpentalley]

I noticed this morning that Mirage's eyes started clouding over. Since we've had him, he's only shed once, which was Christmas day. That shed was not complete; about 3 inches of skin was left on his tail and I was albe to remove that succesfully by wetting him and pulling gently. I had put a margarine container with lid and damp paper towel and a small hole for him to get in/out. Problem is, he didn't really want to go in it and prefered his other hides.

This time, I made the container bigger and "forced" him in. He wasn't too happy but settled down in there. I removed his other hides but left a leafy artificial plant for cover on the cool end. His margarine container is also large enough that I can place the uth half under it so that he has a warm/cool spot inside there. Is this ok? Would he benefit from a daily misting directly on his body or should this be avoided?

I want to avoid misting inside the viv because I don't want the aspen to get mouldy or too damp and I am afraid of him getting sick if he gets too wet. I want him to shed nicely this time as I just hate having to remove the dead skin on him. Plus, the skin is very hard to see because he is a snow. Also, anybody recomend a particular humidity guage as I plan on purchasing one?

 

[Slippery Ernie]

No need to force him into the humid hide. If he needs it he'll probably go in.

What kind of cage is he in? An aquarium? Sterilite? Cover up most of the vent holes and mist the cage once in awhil to increase overall humidity. I have a sterilite with lots of vent holes around the sides, and I just wrap the whole thing in Saran Wrap, except for the top.

You can get a hygrometer at most pet supply stores, but I found a digital thermometer/hygrometer at Walmart for $14.

You can also play with the water bowl. Use a bigger bowl. Or put an additional small bowl of water over the heat pad.

 

[Tom Tuttle]

You can also place a clump of moist sphagnum moss in a corner.They tend to like to hide under it during shed.

 

[nicky]

in addition to what's been said if it would make you feel better you could also start soaking him every day for 5 mins just to loosen some of the skin and make sure when it's time to shed the skin is properly moist. I wouldn't worry about mould as long as u don’t drench the cage and you have a proper heat source the excess will evaporate and increase the humidity and allow the ground to stay dry. I've used aspen before and never had mould grow regardless of misting once a day.
Good luck
Kayla

 

[serpentalley]

No need to force him into the humid hide. If he needs it he'll probably go in.

What kind of cage is he in? An aquarium? Sterilite? Cover up most of the vent holes and mist the cage once in awhil to increase overall humidity. I have a sterilite with lots of vent holes around the sides, and I just wrap the whole thing in Saran Wrap, except for the top.

I have to rearange the cage AGAIN!! He's not too happy I changed his hides and he is now under the paper towels that are under the aspen. He didn't stay in the humid hide for long and won't go back in. He is housed in an exo terra "faunarium" den, made specifically for reptiles (18"X6.75"X11.75") so I can easily cover some holes with saran wrap. I am making this more complicated that it should be!!
Thanks for your help, I will try your suggestions and let him be. He must be really grumpy by now.

 

[crazyforcorns]

What works best for me is having a silk plant stuck on the glass and I spray that and then cover the tank with a towel. It usually brings the humidity up from 30% to 40-50%. I do have the moss, but it dries out rather quickly. For some reason the sprayed plant holds the humidity in the tank for at least 2 days.

Kathy

 

[davina]

we just fill up the water bowl, and place the heat lamp above it. then cover the rest of the cage with a towel.

getting the humidity right for the boa is another story... :eek1:

 

[MegF.]

I just spray once a day until they shed (light misting) and that works fine. No worries of molding, it's not that much moisture. I've also wet a paper towel and draped it over the branch I have in the viv and my amel used to love to lay under it. Each day I'd soak it with a spray bottle to keep it moist.

 

[marty.warwick]

Yeah, Travis is shedding any day now so I've been spraying lightly once in the morning and just before I go to bed.

 

[serpentalley]

Dry scales normal before a shed?

Thanks everbody. I found a house hygrometer and placed in the viv. After misting, it went from low 30% to 90%. I guess I may have sprayed a bit too much. It took a few hours and it went back down until bedtime it was 35%. I misted this morning but more lightly and the humidity is now50%. I also lifted the hide that Mirage was in and gave him a quick mist.

This humidity thing is now starting to make me paranoid because I noticed latetely that his scales seem dry or brittle. I didn't think much of it before but now that I realize how the humidity is low, I wonder if it is the cause. Is this normal before a shed? Perhaps it is because the humidity is always too low? From what I remember, when he last shed the scales didn't feel as dry.

His body is very plump and there is no loose skin to suggest dehydration and of course he has constant access to clean water. He eats very well and all seems fine otherwise. But I did notice a behavioural change. He is very calm and when I handle him, he is not as active as when we first got him. I think it is because we handle him regularly and he is taming down. I hope I am right and Mirage is fine.
Gosh, this is just as bad as having my own baby!! A mother never stops worrying!