How To Create Humidity In Terrarium

ball python dry skin

The ideal temperature of a ball python habitat would be 90°F to 95°F (32°C – 35°C). Moreover, the optimum ball python humidity level should be between 50% to 60%.

Ball pythons, just like all other reptiles, are sensitive to temperature. Moreover, they are an ectothermic animal, meaning they maintain their body temperature by exchanging heat with different objects surrounding its body. So, it is quite crucial to create an ideal temperature for the ball pythons to live comfortably indoors.

However, the enclosure of the ball python has to maintain two separate temperature in two ends. Let's call one a "cool spot" and another one the "hot spot." While the "hot spot" of the enclosure should be at 90-95°F, the cool spot should be at 70-80°F.

I think you are already getting the idea that the correct temperature setting for the ball pythons is not something of a cakewalk. It is quite complicated.

So, those of you who are planning to build a perfect terrarium for ball pythons should go through the whole article. You would know about the right temperature for the terrarium, humidity level, how can you maintain them, and all the secrets that you should know beforehand.

So, let's begin!

Creating the Perfect Living Environment for Ball Pythons

Before we begin, you should know one thing first – there are two great ways to create a living environment for the ball pythons. The first one is to build a terrarium or a vivarium. And, the second one is to go for the rack system, which is almost like apartments for the snakes.

While we are on the matter, don't confuse a vivarium with a terrarium – they are two separate living environments.

A vivarium is an umbrella term for identifying every kind of living environment for reptiles. One the other hand, a terrarium is an enclosure for terrestrial animals. A terrarium often has "green" and "water" in it.

Ideally, your terrarium should not be longer than 1.5x the length and also not shorter than the 2/3rd of the size of the snake. The fundamental idea is to create a living space that is neither too cluttered nor too barren.

Also, placing some living plants is a great idea so that the snake doesn't feel living in an artificial place. Moreover, the plants would create some darker corner which is ideal for the ball pythons as they feel more comfortable being in the darker corners.

Ball Python Temperature and Humidity: Two Key Factors

As I have said earlier, the ball pythons are cold-blooded animals and would rely on the external heat sources. So, if you are planning to keep your snakes healthy, make sure that you have complete control over the temperature of the terrarium.

The terrarium should have two different temperature points – a cool end and a hot end. The cool end should be around 80°F (26°C), and the hot end should be around 95°F (35°C). You should try placing two thermometers in these two spots so that you can keep an eye on the spots all the time.

Maintaining such heat gradient would be impossible if your enclosure is too small. So, you should consider this fact before you rush out and buy the enclosure.

Then comes the matter of maintaining humidity. All the ball pythons are tropical animals. So, naturally, the terrarium should be humid. The ball python humidity level should be at least 50%. If the percentage falls below this level, it would be unlivable for the snakes as the ideal percentage of 55%-60% humidity ball python can sustain comfortably. You can control the humidity for ball python by placing a water bowl and opening/closing up the air vents.

I would get to that part, later on, so don't worry.

What Would Happen If You Fail to Maintain Suitable Humidity Level?

Ball python humidity levels play vital roles in the lives of your pet. The health of the snakes might degrade if they live in over-humid or under-humid environment. Let's take a look at the health risk involving with the humidity for ball pythons –

Health Issues Connected to Under-Humid Living Environment

Infected Respiratory System

This is the most dangerous health issue related to the under-humid environment. The ball pythons might fall victim to the infection of the upper respiratory system. These infections are mostly bacterial but can be viral too. If you notice excessive saliva discharge from nose and mouth or labored breathing, your snake might have been infected with such bacteria or viruses. Sometimes, they would breathe through their mouth. This explains why sometimes you might find that your snake's mouth is open like they are yawning. Signs like this can also another indication of diseases.

Shedding Issues

As you know, ball pythons just like all other snakes shed their skin off. The characteristics of healthy shedding are that the skin of the snakes sheds off in one single piece. If the skin tears off during the shedding process, it means that the snake is living in an under-humid environment.

Health Issues Connected to Over-Humid Living Environment

The over-humid environment is equally dangerous to the snakes comparing to an under-humid environment. As the environment becomes too humid, there will be more water contamination in the air. Such a "wet" environment might cause scale rotting or various other bacterial infections.

What Should the Humidity be for A Ball Python Skin Shedding?

Shedding is an important part of the life cycle for the snakes. For a "healthy shedding," the humidity of the surrounding environment is quite important.

Okay, so it is quite clear that you will need to maintain proper humidity level for ball python while shedding. But how can you identify that your snake is ready for shedding its skin?

Try to keep a keen eye for these symptoms –

The scales start to lose the vibrant color, almost would start to look pale
You can notice a reddish/pinkish hue in the belly
Eye color will change to milky-blue
They would lose appetite
You can notice a sudden change in behavior

These are some of the more prominent identifiers of skin shedding in ball pythons. If you notice your pet snake showing these behaviors, you should consider making a change to the humidity level suitable for the shedding.

The optimal level of humidity should be between 65% and 70%.

How to Increase Humidity in Ball Python Tank?

So, now, you are well aware of the optimal humidity levels for ball pythons both in general conditions and during the skin shedding phases. If your set-up is under-humid for the snakes, there are certain methods that you can apply to increase the humidity levels.

Check out the following methods that you can apply quite easily!

If your terrarium doesn't have a designated water source (water bowl), consider placing one
Put the water bowl closer to the heat source
If you already have a water bowl close to the heat source, consider placing a second water bowl
Seal off a few of the vents (do NOT seal off all the vents so that the snake suffocates)
Consider spraying water in the enclosure once or twice a day
Buy a humidifier and place it in the terrarium
Install a ball python humidifier

If nothing works, you should put some wet substrate that would retain humidity. Cypress Mulch, Orchid Barks, coconut husks, and Aspen Shavings are some great examples of substrate materials for your ball python terrarium.

How Can You Decrease Humidity for Ball Python Terrariums?

Now that you know how you can increase the humidity level for ball pythons, it's also better to how you can reduce the level. An abundance of humidity is equally bad as the reduced humidity level.

In case of ball python humidity too high, consider removing the water bowl for some time. Moreover, opening up a few more vents is another great idea, if the enclosure has constantly high humidity level.

You can follow these steps too –

Move the water bowl to the cooler end of the terrarium
Use substrate materials that will not soak moisture
Add ventilation holes especially on the top of the enclosure
Do not mist the terrarium with water sprays if you have been doing it
Replace the water bowl with a smaller one
Transfer the whole terrarium to a less humid place in your home

How to Monitor the Ball Python Terrarium's Humidity Level?

How can you notice whether the encloser has too much or too little humidity? You can't just tell by looking at it!

The good news is that there is a perfect tool to help you out in this situation. Buy a hygrometer for ball python humidity control. A hygrometer measures the humidity level, and it would help you out a lot. So, rather relying on various signs like a shaman, buy a piece of equipment you can rely on.

There is another equipment that you can consider buying – it called a thermo-hygrometer. This equipment can measure both the ball python temp and humidity at the same time.

Checking the hygrometer twice a day is good practice as the humidity level might vary depending on the time of the day.

Using these tools will help you out throughout the year as the humidity level in winter and summer tend to vary. During the warmer seasons, the humidity level increases, and it decreases naturally in the winter.

The Perfect Ball Python Temperature for The Terrarium

I think you are now well-aware of the optimum humidity level for the terrarium and how you can ensure the correct humidity level. Now let's talk about the temperature settings.

As you already know, the ideal temperature should be somewhere between 90°F to 95°F on the higher end and close to 80°F on the lower end. You are already aware of the fact that the ball python terrarium should have a heat gradient so that your snakes can thermoregulate the body temperature.

The basic idea is to use one single heat source in the hotter end of the enclosure. The cooler end will automatically have a lower temperature as you add shedding and trees in the enclosure.

Some of you might be wondering whether you should include lamps as a lot of snakes love to bask in the sun. However, the ball pythons fall into that category and don't bask in the sun. So, you should stick to the traditional under-enclosure heat treatments like other reptiles.

However, you will have to maintain a constant temperature in the enclosure throughout the day, 24/7! So, rather than putting in lamps use other methods to maintain temperature. The lamp would case irritation during the night, and you precious snakes might not have a sound sleep.

How Can You Maintain A Proper Temperature for The Ball Pythons?

Ensuring the proper temperature is a must if you are planning to have pet ball pythons in your room. As the ball pythons are tropical reptiles, they tend to live in a warmer environment and would suffer in the typical room temperature.

So, you will have to add an extra heat source to achieve an ambient temperature in the enclosure. There are a lot of ways you can do it. However, there are two methods that are quite popular among breeders.

Check them out!

Ceramic Heat Bulbs

These bulbs are specially designed for the heating enclosure for the pets. As they are made of opaque ceramic material, they aren't for use as light sources. Rather these bulbs will simply heat up the enclosure. However, they aren't suitable for plastic made enclosures as the bulbs might melt the plastic. Moreover, these bulbs can make the enclosure too "dry" disrupting the humidity level.

Heat Pads

These are the advanced option which might be too hard to get. You can place these pads underneath the enclosure. However, if the pads malfunction, it might overheat and cause nasty accidents.

Is Your Ball Python Happy?

Check for these signs to make sure that your beloved snake is happy with the temperature and humidity level –

Regularly eating and drinking
The defection and urination rates are normal
Has a scheduled sleeping pattern
Shedding off skin in a single piece
Maintains a calm and collective nature
Doesn't show any aggression

If you see your ball python showing the symptoms mentioned above, you can be quite sure that your pet is living a healthy and comfortable life.

Final Thoughts

So, we think you have a pretty clear idea about how you can make the perfect terrarium for your ball pythons where they can be in total comfort. If you are a breeder, maintaining the optimum level of temperature and humidity is crucial.

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