Screen Tops

[EL Ziggy]

Hello everybody, I hope you are all well. I really want to hear your opinions on screen tops for vivs. Both of my kingsnakes are currently in 40 gal tanks, on aspen bedding, with uth's, and an intermittent basking light. Their temps are always pretty spot on. I don't really measure the humidity because I live in a pretty humid state (GA) and kingsnakes don't have a very high humidity requirement (40-60%). I've been reading in other threads that screen tops are bad for snakes in general and can lead to serious health issues if used long term. I was wondering if most of you agree with this assessment, or is it mostly for other species like boas/pythons? Also if you do choose to cover your screen top, what are the best methods? I appreciate any feedback.

[Terranaut]

Snakes that have low humidity requirements will do just fine in a screen top viv with a uth. I keep my king in a 40 gallon screen top viv. Never had an issue. I would however point out this same setup would be nnothing but trouble for a ball python and could go either way for a boa. For these I always recomend front opening snake cages. People can use screen tops for these but not without modification and constant misting.
The most important part is having he right setup for the snake in it.

[EL Ziggy]

Snakes that have low humidity requirements will do just fine in a screen top viv with a uth. I keep my king in a 40 gallon screen top viv. Never had an issue. I would however point out this same setup would be nnothing but trouble for a ball python and could go either way for a boa. For these I always recomend front opening snake cages. People can use screen tops for these but not without modification and constant misting.
The most important part is having he right setup for the snake in it.

Thanks Terranaut. I have a Cal King and an MBK. Just wanted to make sure I was doing what was best for my 'babies'.

[Deva]

Just want to say I live in Florida and was shocked to see that the humidity level is only 30% in the room due to central air.

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. From my own experience only, a screen top is bad. I have only kept a milksnake and am learning fast from my mistakes. I never had a problem for a solid year, but now I am deep into it since my snake won't shed and won't eat.

[Terranaut]

Yes. My snake room sits at 50% minimum. It has been 80% for at least a week now. In the winter I run a big humidifier.

[EL Ziggy]

Just want to say I live in Florida and was shocked to see that the humidity level is only 30% in the room due to central air.

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. From my own experience only, a screen top is bad. I have only kept a milksnake and am learning fast from my mistakes. I never had a problem for a solid year, but now I am deep into it since my snake won't shed and won't eat.

Deva- How did you realize the humidity was causing the issues and what did you do to correct them? Did you add a moist hide, how did you cover the top, and is your snake doing better now? Thanks for the info.

[Deva]

Deva- How did you realize the humidity was causing the issues and what did you do to correct them? Did you add a moist hide, how did you cover the top, and is your snake doing better now? Thanks for the info.

I am still working on the problem Ziggy. Just put it down to a first time snake owner that didn't know much. I now have the humidity up to 50% and sometimes over that mark.. it involved a thin layer of water under the substrata (repti-bark) and some moist moss just stuck around in the enclosure. Under normal circumstances this would not be advisable since the bark should be dry. I also have the top covered with a towel.

My snake is in dire straights having not eaten for two months and has, I am told, three layers of shed. The last two months I have soaked the snake daily, sometimes for many hours in warm water and even some aloe added, and yes I did take it to a vet - they had her for a week. Don't think the vet knew what the problem was and was just trying different things - the snake has had antibiotics and anti-fungal medication.

Now, she is staying in the water bowl at night and up against the heating pad during the day with her mouth slightly open. I have a hot pad and a red heat light on her - she has never had more heat than this, and it still doesn't seem like enough - reads 80 or 81. Again, I have had her for a year and she was fine up until two months ago. She had been eating well before this crisis and I was even getting ready to move her up to bigger mice (she was eating fuzzies).

When the red light is turned off at night she goes to the water bowl. It is big enough to hold her, curled up.

This has been tough to watch and has taken quite a toll on me, thanks for asking.