r/ballpython • u/ThrowRAfruitypebble • 3h ago

Humidity help

Please help. Ive bought and tried everything I can possibly think of to hold the humidity in her tank but nothing is working. I’m at a complete loss. I just want to be a good snake mom and give my baby the life she deserves but I can’t ever get her tank to go above 50% humidity unless I mist it, which I know you’re not supposed to do, and it only lasts for a few minutes. Im scared to health she’s going to die just like my last snake.

ETA: I just added reptisoil in with her coconut chips and changed the heating elements from solely a ceramic heat emitter 24/7 to UVB and UVA during the day and ceramic bulb at night. The humidity is currently the lowest I’ve ever seen it, at 34%. Nothing is working and I’m devastated. I’ve spent so much money trying to give her the life she deserves. I feel like such a bad snake mom.

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u/loricampbell4454 2h ago

You'll want to get a dimmer switch asap. You never want to plug any heat source directly into the wall. Are you using both domes or just one? One should be sufficient. Here's an example of what you'll need. Your heating is drying out your substrate. Once you get the dimmer switch you'll be able to put the mat on top of the enclosure without it getting too hot and that will hold in your humidity.

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u/ThrowRAfruitypebble 2h ago

I have three dome lamps and I’m using all of them. I feel like there’s so much different advice out there I get different answers from everyone, especially regarding lighting. I’ve done so much research and I still don’t know what I’m doing. If I use a dimmer I’m worried about her tank not getting hot enough.

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u/loricampbell4454 2h ago

I've been a keeper for over 20 years. Not warm enough is way better than too hot. Too much heat can kill your snake or cause permanent brain damage. Three domes is way too much. Ball pythons don't necessarily need lighting in their enclosure. As long as there is a window in the room that is sufficient for them to know what it's night or day. How are you measuring the temperature in the enclosure?

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u/ThrowRAfruitypebble 1h ago

Good to know. Wish I would’ve known all that before spending so much on the extra domes and lights😅

So the ceramic bulb on a dimmer should be a sufficient heat source?
And if so, hypothetically, I would be able to fully cover the top of her tank with the silicone mat to keep the humidity in, and lower the heat output of the ceramic bulb so it’s not making her tank too hot?

Currently measuring the temp with three thermometers. 2 on either side that show temp and humidity, and one in the middle that just shows temp.

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u/loricampbell4454 1h ago

Yes. You are correct. Don't get rid of your extra domes though. It's always good to have a spare just in case one goes out. If you haven't already, go to morphmarket.com. There are tons of useful threads you can read from experienced keepers. You'll learn a lot more from the pros.