what to do about humidity when very cold

macandchz · 02-13-16, 09:06 AM

i have my bp in a 40 gal. tank. temp varies from 79-82 degrees. the tank has a screen top that i cover with towels and a blanket. i have to spritz 3 times a day to keep humidity up. now that it is zero degrees outside, i have been keeping my house temp on 80 degrees to make sure mac is warm enough. i really feel bad to have to spray him 3 times a day bcause when i spritz him , the tank temp drops for awhile to 78.5. what is more important, the moisture or the heat? ihave a large heating pad attached under the tank and a small one by his hot side hidey tunnel. does my house temp affect the tank much? he does burrow under the bedding. does that mean he's cold? he hasn't been very active during this cold spell but does eat.

LISA127 · 02-13-16, 09:16 AM

Do not use towels to cover the top. Use either plastic sheeting or heavy duty aluminum foil to cover the top to keep in heat and humidity. And to keep cool, dry air out. Completely cover the screen top with this and tape it down.

macandchz · 02-13-16, 09:53 AM

thanks lisa127, i'll give the foil a try. loved the quote-i have a beagle-dauschhund mix that's the love of my life.

LISA127 · 02-13-16, 09:56 AM

Yw, i hope it helps!

macandchz · 02-13-16, 11:33 AM

lisa127, that quote could also be said of husbands! mine isn't a snake lover but he puts up with mac. we'll be married 48 years tomorrow.

IW17 · 02-13-16, 02:19 PM

I would always maintain temps over humidity in the enclosure. Just add a humid hide on both ends and that will cover your bases until spring comes. And if you do mist use hot water. Cold water misting will drop your temps. I fill my mister with water as hot as my sink will get. When it's sprayed it's just warm.

bigsnakegirl785 · 02-13-16, 08:50 PM

What IW said. My humidity has been pretty good so far this winter, but my sunglow boa has been showing signs of dehydration in the past day (wrinkly skin that slowly goes back into place when you pinch it), but all I can do is offer her a humid hide for now because she's on flex watt. Winter's almost over, so she won't be dry for long.

You can also limit airflow to keep it in longer if you want as well as misting with warm/hot water (try not to mist the snake directly with hot water!!!).

macandchz · 02-14-16, 09:52 AM

thanks for the tips on misting. i can see i was making a mistake already by using room temp water as i thought bottled water was best to use. i'm sure mac will like the warm spraying better.