Providing ball python humidity is easy. Tools like heat tape, heat pads or a heat lamp can help to the overall humidity. Have a thermometer and hygrometer, one on the warm side of the tank, the cool side, and one in the middle to measure the ambient temperature.
The python can stay active while choosing the most comfortable environment.
10 Best Ways to Keep Humidity Up in Terrariums for Ball Python?
A ball python enclosure must have a temperature gradient to adjust its body temperature as it needs to.
- Humidifier: You can easily control a digital one remotely. Moreover, they can help your home too.
- Fogger: Buy a fogger with variable output. Keep the humidity in that optimum 50 to 60%. It is good for a very dry area or one with extremely low humidity. Ensure your reptile fogger has water in the tank.
- Misting regularly: Increase humidity by mist the enclosure. It helps if you have a good heating system and absorbent substrate. Keep misting regularly. A bottle with a larger capacity is better. Place it near the pet’s enclosure.
- Using absorbent substrate: Use absorbent substrate like coco peat or reptile mulch. You will get much better humidity levels. Check the substrate daily to see if it’s still moist. They don’t contain any harmful buffering agents.
- Ventilation holes: Covering some ventilation keeps the humidity higher in python’s enclosure. It could be difficult to maintain a high humidity level in the enclosure but still works. It can cover up to 50% of the vents.
- A large shallow water bowl: It is one of the best tools that snake keepers have to provide a constant source of water which one can turn into humidity by heating it. Fill the water bowl daily. The water should not be so deep the snake goes under all the time.
- Using a heat source: You can use a heat source. It will turn the room temperature water in the python’s enclosure into vapor. And also push up the relative humidity of the tank. Look for the heating devices daily to ensure that they’re in working condition.
- Well heated enclosure: It gives a sufficient temperature gradient throughout the ball python’s enclosure. And ensure that latent water turns into humidity.
- Heating pad: Heating pad has very little setup work. You can plug it in and set the temperature.
- Humidity box: It can make a huge difference to your python. The simple box can be placed inside your python’s enclosure.
Ball pythons live well when provided a temperature gradient to control their body temperature. If the humidity level in your ball python’s enclosure is high or low, it can affect overall health.
By following these tips, you can help to keep the humidity levels in your ball python’s enclosure up and promote healthy skin shedding.
Here are some additional tips to help keep the humidity up in your ball python’s enclosure:
- Use a thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the enclosure. This will help you to make sure that the levels are within the proper range.
- Clean the enclosure regularly. This will help to remove any debris that could be absorbing moisture.
- Avoid using heat lamps. Heat lamps can dry out the air in the enclosure. If you need to use a heat lamp, make sure that it is placed on the side of the enclosure, not the top.
- Be patient. It may take some time to get the humidity levels in the enclosure just right. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
With a little bit of effort, you can help to keep your ball python’s enclosure humid and promote healthy skin shedding.
Ball Python Humidity & Temperature Guide
Temperature is more complex for ball pythons. Four different temperatures in enclosures for ball pythons we need to consider. The correct temperature helps to evaporate the water in the water dish into the air and increase the humidity.
- Cool side: The temperature on the cool side of the enclosure. It should be 76-80°F. It is much higher than the average humidity that most homes hold naturally.
- Hot spot: The temperature immediately beneath the hot spot. 88-92° would be the best. You need to make an effort to raise their humidity above the humidity levels of your home.
- Ambient temperature: Ambient temperature refers to the temperature within the cool end and the warm end. Keep it in between 81-83°F.
- Night time temperature: The evening temperatures of the tank should be considered. It should not be higher than 75°F. The snake can gravitate towards the part of the tank where it feels the appropriate temperature.
It is good to keep even heating on either side of the tank is essential for maintaining humidity. Higher temperatures are important for keeping humidity right. The ideal temperature for a ball python tank is between 88 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also Read: What Do Baby Ball Pythons Eat?
Why Humidity is Important for Ball Python Terrarium
The humidity and ambient temperature are connected with a ball python enclosure. Your humidity is probably where it should be if sheds are coming off in one or two pieces with none stuck on your snake.
- Problem on respiratory system: Higher than usual moisture levels can lead to respiratory infections. Get your ball python’s humidity back into the proper range.
- Lung defect: Too much humidity can even have a negative effect on the lungs.
- Bad sheds: Unusual humidity can bring other problems. One of them could be bad sheds.
- Parasite attack: If it fails to maintain humidity, it can welcome unwanted parasites.
- Peeling off skin: A snake’s shed is a good indicator, you shouldn’t just rely on that to tell you how the humidity is.
- Dehydration: Your snake will become dehydrated if the humidity is too low. It will lead to your ball python refusing meals.
- Winter Issue: Situation gets worse in the winter when the heat in your house is drying up the humidity in your snake’s enclosure.
- Change in eating habit: If the temperature drops too low, the ball python may stop eating.
Hazardous humid environment will not do any good to your pet. Try to control the issue as soon as possible.
Also Read: Do Ball Pythons Need a Heat Lamp?
What Should the Humidity be in a Ball Python’s Terrarium?
Ball pythons need humidity levels of between 50 and 60%. This sets with the naturally humid environment of the ball python. When you manage to get the humidity level in an acceptable range, maintain it. Ball python’s bedding should not be wet, as it can lead to scale rot.
What Happens if Humidity is Too Low for Ball Python?
Lack of humidity can have negative effects on the ball python. A thermometer along with a hygrometer are essential monitoring devices. Lower humidity will create problems with shedding and bodily functions. The sensitive skin is exposed to germs and blood and injury sometimes occurs when the dead skin breaks off too early.
Conclusion
Providing perfect ball python conditions is mandatory. They come from tropical and subtropical areas and do not need the high humidity level that some tropical snakes do. All bedding materials have different moisture retaining properties and so they should be chosen carefully.