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More humid substrate

Posted By:

kykatie

I have a couple of corns and a rose hair tarantula. I have been haveing alot of problems with humidity. It is way to dry inside the cages. The temperature seems to be perfect. I spray each cage 2 times each day. I have been useing the "reptile bark" stuff for a long time. It's defenently not holding humidity. I don't want to over spray the cages because I don't want mold or mites, witch has occered before. have any ideas?

Attached Photos:


Points:	50
Topics:	General Health , Caging
Tags:	Caging, Elaphe, Grammostola, Guttata, Humidity, Rosea, Substrate
Species:	Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Elaphe guttata guttata
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

3/7/2010 2:16:25 PM

Acheron_08

try using cypress bedding i love the stuff holds humidty well... when i know use newspaper cuz its cheaper ....if you have screen tops on your cages you could always cover the side with out the heat lamp with a towel that works well for me :)

Member Comment

3/7/2010 3:20:26 PM

darkplatypus

Maybe try putting some damp moss in a hide to create a humid hide they can go into. You can keep the moss moist by spraying it. Switching to cypress mulch and covering half of the screen top are good ideas, that's what I do with my boa. I don't think corn snakes really need a high level of humidity though unless you're having shed problems.

Accepted Answer

3/7/2010 10:25:40 PM

shellboa

I like cypress but I also like the shredded or chunked coconut bark. Both hold humidity well, coco is easier to clean (to me) but it can also depend on what you can find.

Assisted Answer

3/8/2010 1:05:54 AM

Lashman

I use cypress mulch in GTPs and IJs python cages and shredded aspen in corns and kings cages. Cypress can be bought at garden center and aspen in most feed stores. But believe problem is ventilation. Screen tops are famous for loosing heat and humidity, even a water bowl dries up much quicker. Cover half somehow (safely) if that's what you're using. As mention corns aren't usually a problem with humidity unless getting bad sheds? Though I live in NW where it rains alot! And remember during winter months if running heater and keeping windows closed we dry out air in house.

Member Comment

3/8/2010 1:12:39 PM

JohnJohn

I'm using real Sphagnum moss for my baby blood. I almost have the opposite problem of too much humidity.

I don't think humidity should be a big deal for corns. If you want them to have a more humid hide, try some moist sphagnum moss.

All my corns get newspaper and ambient humidity which seems to be fine for them.

Member Comment

3/8/2010 11:47:34 PM

Synath

I know nothing about corns needs for humidity. My balls however, I use press n seal across the wire tops with a couple of vent cuts. It seems to work well cause our house is so dry. Sometimes I put a damp towl or cloth under the seal to help maintain.

Member Comment

3/9/2010 11:47:48 AM

titus

Corns don't need to be too moist 50-60% is really enogh. A low cost substrate is orgainc soil. I use it for most my reptiles that need over 70% thoughout the day. But you'll want to keep it drier for corns. Providing a large water bowl and a wet hide with moss will also work very well.

Author Comment

3/9/2010 6:36:34 PM

kykatie

Yes I have been haveing shedding problems wioth one of my corns..... I will try some of these methods. THanks to all of you guys!~ (-;

Member Comment

3/9/2010 8:47:18 PM

Aimee

honestly, I've never picked up a foster (BPs and an occasional colubrid) on repti-bark that didn't have stuck shed, eyecaps, or other evidence of low humidity. that stuff just really doesn't hold moisture at all. good luck with your babies

Member Comment

3/10/2010 7:51:12 PM

AAS

Check out my blog on moisture retaining hides... http://www.iherp.com/Public/Blog/Detail.aspx?uid=41875

Just an idea, working for me so far.

if that doesn't load, just see my page and the blog.

Member Comment

3/11/2010 4:40:20 AM

WingedWolfPsion

Use a Repti-Fogger. It's best to keep the substrate dry. A damp substrate could lead to blister disease. If your cage has a screen top, cover most of it with plastic wrap.

Assisted Answer

3/11/2010 10:18:55 PM

youngji

I use sphagnum orchid moss bedding with my ATBs. It dries and drains well, allowing air circulation throughout the substrate while also holding moisture. You can get it in little cubes at Lowe's and sometimes Home Depot. Good luck with whatever you decide. Pothos, a type of live plant can also be planted with virtually no soil and does an excellent job in adding humidity to enclosures. You can get that at Lowes too. As an additional benefit it also provides some cover. I think that set-up would be appropriate for the corns. For the invert, I'm not sure if sphagnum would be the right move, but the pothos might help.

Member Comment

3/11/2010 10:50:42 PM

AAS

You know, ever since I started using newspaper and saw how widely the urine and stool spreads, I decided it was just incorrect to think that "spot cleaning" substrate was adequate. That's how I used to do it, and I was never disciplined enough to do full substrate changes often enough, and now I see that essentially my snakes were slithering through soiled substrate regularly. I won't be using substrate except for the little cages I think.

Member Comment

3/17/2010 2:51:18 AM

YShennanBot

I use Fir and Sphagnum peat moss in both my leo gecko's moist boxes and my Columbian Tegu's terrarium. I spray my Tegu's cage once every two days or so and it holds the humidity at about 45-60 for that time depending on how much I spray, which isnt much.

I bought 10 quart/11 liter bags on line from Petco, I believe. Hope that helps.

Member Comment

3/17/2010 10:50:22 PM

Huron Pet Supply

I certainly hope you are not misting your Rosehair Tarantula. These guys come from one of the most dry climates in the world. They hate moisture. Simply leave a water bowl in the enclosure and refresh it daily. As for the snakes just use a moist hide box. Simply take a tupperware big enough for the snake to curl up in, cut a hole just big enough for the snake to enter through, and keep the container packed with moist moss or paper towel. Refresh the moss and paper towel at least weekly.

Member Comment

1/20/2011 9:37:24 AM

abi21491

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