Ball pythons are one of the most effortlessly manageable pets out there. But when it comes to the heat and humidity level in their cage special attention is required. Snakes are very sensitive to their environment. So, improper humidity levels can mean deadly for your ball python.
There are various ways of increasing humidity in your ball python tank. You can increase humidity by providing him with moisturized bedding, reducing ventilation, setting the correct temperature, using a humidifier, etc. All these ways are proven to be helpful when it comes to maintaining proper humidity in the tank.
In this article, I am going to provide you with several ways that you can follow in order to increase the humidity in your ball python’s tank and maintain the optimum level for your python’s comfort and health.
What the Humidity Should Be in A Ball Python’s Tank?
For ball python’s humidity is one of the main factors affecting their health and happiness. This is why knowing what the humidity should be in a ball python’s tank is vital.
Now if I provide you with a direct answer, I’d say the relative humidity in a ball python’s tank should be around 50% to 60%. But the humidity required by your ball python is more complex than that.
That’s why it is important to know more on this issue and also to provide your ball python with proper attention to know if the humidity you are providing him is serving him well.
The humidity factor for ball pythons is considered to be complex because even though 50% to 60% is the suggested humidity level as it is safer, your ball python may also require an increase in relative humidity during shedding up to 60% to 65%. So, it is important to keep an eye on your ball python to understand what he actually requires.
Why Do Ball Pythons Need High Humidity?
Ball pythons require great concern when it comes to the humidity of the tank. Because humidity is a variable that can affect your ball python’s health greatly. If you have a ball python as your pet, you already know how common skin-related problems are for them. And to avoid these problems, the most important step is maintaining a specific range of humidity.
Ball pythons are usually very healthy pets. The only severe problem they face is concerning skin problems as they are prone to injuries and infections. These injuries and infections are caused when improper shedding takes place. The term improper shedding refers to early breaking off of dead skin or dead skin not being able to molt completely.
Also, respiratory tract infection is common for ball pythons. And it can occur due to an improper humidity level inside your ball python’s terrarium. If you see your ball python drooling, wheezing or foaming through their mouth and nose then it can be that your ball python is affected by a respiratory tract infection.
Now, to avoid these problems, relative humidity of 50% to 60% needs to be maintained. Achieving this high humidity may be troublesome, but once you are able to obtain it, your ball python will be living a healthy and happy life and won’t be facing such health-related issues. This is the reason why ball pythons require high and consistent humidity.
How to Increase Humidity in Ball Python Terrarium?
Now that I have already talked about the importance of maintaining a certain humidity in a ball python’s tank to provide them with proper care and health, it is important to also provide you with the ways of increasing the level of humidity and maintaining it properly. Therefore, now I am going to focus on explaining to you the ways to do so.
–Set Correct Temperature
Temperature plays an important role in maintaining and increasing humidity. High temperature can easily increase humidity in your ball python’s tank. If you provide the tank with a high temperature it will cause evaporation of the water in the water dish, and eventually cause an increase in humidity. So, maintaining the correct temperature is vital.
Now. Let’s talk about the correct temperatures that should be maintained in different areas of the tank. In the basking area, the temperature should be 31-35 degrees Celsius, whereas the temperature in the hiding area should be 24 degrees Celsius.
However, in the nighttime, the temperature should be 18 degrees Celsius and the overall temperature during daytime should be 25-27 degrees Celsius. So, make sure you maintain the temperature mentioned for each area properly.
You can use a hygrometer like the ThermPro TP50 to monitor the heat and humidity level in your ball python terrarium.
–Bedding Type
As our main concern is humidity, even the type of bedding you are providing your ball python plays a role in it. Different bedding materials have individual moisture accommodating quality. Therefore, before selecting your ball python’s bedding materials make sure to avoid bedding that is too dry and provide your ball python with the type of bedding that can retain moisture better.
If the bedding you are providing your ball python with is too dry, he can injure himself while slithering on it. But if you get him proper bedding then exploring his tank won’t cause him any injuries.
So, before deciding on the type of bedding you want for your ball python, make sure you have done proper research on it. As dry bedding will require more humidity than moisturized one.
–Reduce Ventilation
We all know how important it is that animals get the proper amount of fresh air. But when it comes to reptiles where humidity is also a factor, too much ventilation can cause problems as due to this the humidity in the cage cannot be maintained properly. Because the humidity floats right out of the tank.
Therefore, it is important to reduce the ventilation in order to maintain and increase humidity in your ball python’s tank. Now how to do so? It’s quite simple. Just cover any opening of the tank with a waterproof material. This way the humidity of the tank can be easily controlled.
–Selection of Right Substrate
When it comes to increasing and maintaining the humidity in your ball python’s cage, the importance of a substrate is a lot. And before selecting substrate it is important to know which will not only protect your ball python from injuries but also will maintain the proper humidity.
For example, if you plan on using reptile carpets, even though it will help you protect your ball python, it won’t trap humidity. Whereas if you use substrate made of fibrous materials or wood it will trap humidity and help you maintain it. Also, cypress mulch is also an excellent choice as a substrate as you can increase humidity simply by misting it.
–Use of Humidifier
The humidifier is important if the climate you are living in is dry. Because in that case, the steps mentioned won’t be much helpful. But if you get a humidifier for the room it will increase humidity up to 35% to 40%. And after that, by following the other steps mentioned, you can easily provide your ball python with the correct humidity.
For example, the BETAZOOER Reptile Humidifier is what I use to maintain the proper humidity levels in my large ball python cages as maintaining humidity naturally is difficult in them.
–Use of Water Dish
Having a water dish placed inside your ball python’s tank at all times is important. Because by doing so your ball python would be able to soak in water whenever it feels like and also the evaporation of water will cause an increase in humidity as well. So, assure the presence of a large water dish in the tank for the betterment of your ball python.
–Tank Location
After the above-mentioned steps, if you are still facing trouble maintaining humidity in the tank, make sure to consider the location of your ball python’s tank. As locations near the vent, windows, heaters, etc. are likely to cause a dry environment and decrease humidity.
Conclusion
In this article, I have talked about the importance of maintaining humidity in your ball python’s tank and also given you some miscellaneous information on how to increase humidity in a ball python tank.
I hope this article was of help to you and wish you the best of luck in solving the problem you’ve been facing regarding humidity management.
