Humidity

Most of the ball python care sheets I've read, like this one, this one, and this one, recommend humidity levels within the snake's enclosure ranging from 50% to 60%, spiking up to 70% when the snake is getting ready to shed.  Of course with my luck running the way it does, Scales's and Lucy's tubs started out at 53% empty and once I put the snakes in they have been running more like 64 - 67% humidity.  No, I don't know what causes this outside of the mere presence of the snakes and their respiration, so I asked the folks at BP.net if this was problematic.  Eventually I learned that this level of humidity level tends to be part and parcel of keeping snakes in central Florida, but prior to that being pointed out to me one person suggested that the snake might have, erm, "done a doodle" which tends to be the culprit when one experiences unexplained humidity spikes.

I didn't think this was the issue, because I've been checking their tubs as carefully and subtly as I can (the snakes are still settling in and I don't want to disturb them needlessly), and there has been nothing in them that I didn't put there with my own two hands.  But it never hurts to check so I knew I'd be doing a very thorough inspection of their tubs this evening. When I arrived home, it was to find Lucy's tank still parked at 64% whereas Scales's tank had spiked up to 70%.

Guess who had a gift for Mommy?

So at any rate, now I have experienced my first ball python poo and it wasn't a horrible experience.  It didn't even reek, unlike the foul little gifts our resident felines tend to leave in the litter box!  I think I can live with this.  Good thing, too, because if Scales is any indication, Lucy (whose substrate was still completely dry at last check) should be delivering her own present to me within the next few hours.

Edited on Wednesday, November 28th to add:
Well, forget using humidity as a sign someone has done something foul in his or her tub.  This morning they were both up around 70% humidity and both of them had bone dry substrate.  Last night Lucy passed urates at least, but we're still waiting for the other to appear.  I give!  I just don't want to drive my poor baby snakes nuts.  I'm such a paranoid snake mom :P

The Setup and the Snakes!

I started this entry Friday night because I was so excited we finally had their vivariums set up.  Here is the shelving unit in its entirety.  The Herpstat (thermostat for reptile enclosures) is on the top shelf to the left.  My snake's enclosure is on the next shelf down, and the Gum Zombie's snake is on the bottom shelf.

Now that the snakes are in the tubs they're both fastened with luggage straps across the long sides and clips on the short sides, just for security's sake.  Yes, there are stuffed animals and random toys at the base.  Yes, that is an American Girl doll.  You're right, I have no daughters.  She's mine.  Brent made her bed for me.  She also has a wardrobe.  And my brother thinks the snakes are my midlife crisis? 

Ahem.  Anyway, next is Scales's enclosure.  The black boxes are "hides" for the snake.  There is a hide on the warm side (right) and the cooler side (left).  The water bowl pictured was a temporary solution -- I purchased some but they just didn't fit.  This morning I found something a bit more appropriate before we headed over to pick up the snakes.  Lucy's enclosure is identical.

The hides themselves might be a bit large, but the small hides are only half the size so I'll admit I'm kind of at a loss for what to do there.  I do own the smaller hides so we'll see if the snakes would prefer those should the need arise.

And here is my thermometer/ hygrometer.  I love the fact that I was able to just pick this up at Wally World.  Twelve bucks, and easily the cheapest piece of technology I've purchased in quite some time.  Its actual purpose is to measure indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity, but as you can see it's easily converted to measure warm side/ ambient side temperatures along with enclosure humidity.

The readings you're seeing were early; the numbers are now 90 on the hot spot, 78 ambient, and 60% humidity.  I like that better than the 53% from last night!

And finally, because what good is this entry without the snakes, here's Scales, before being put into his enclosure:

And here's Lucy:

And they will all, hopefully, live happily ever after.  I'll keep you posted :)