ratsnakehaven
I like functionality.. :)
I do both brumation and active, over-wintering.
I consider humidity levels to be a problem, because I live in AZ and cold weather humidity levels are mostly single digits. I think anyone who lives in an area that gets cold weather in winter or in an area that has a dry climate, should be concerned about humidity for their corns. This is not because corns are less hardy than other snakes, but corns in the wild do come from humid climates and dry conditions will be a problem for any species, imho.
In my Brumation Room the relative or ambient humidity is around 35%, so I don't worry about dehydration as much. Still, I use humid hides and check the water in their tanks every couple weeks. In my Herp Room, where I over-winter the active snakes, the humidity level is very low, so I use every trick I can to help my snakes.
Some of my snakes protect themselves by over-wintering in one of their water containers. These are not corn snakes, but a very close relative, Emory's ratsnakes.
A Brazos Island female spending several weeks in her smaller water jug....
A La Salle County Emory's ratsnake soaking in its water jug....
The La Salle doesn't soak as much, but the Brazos Island's do this a lot. Their fear must be greater. BTW, I've seen snakes do this for an entire brumation with no adverse affects.
In areas where folks have to heat their homes, which is almost everywhere, the heat source normally reduces the humidity levels. I would recommend everyone be familiar with their humidity levels year 'round. Baby snakes and yearlings are especially susceptible to dry conditions. I keep a close eye on my babies and make sure they aren't in a very dry situation. If you keep your snake in a large viv, you might want to keep a humid hide in the tank as protection for your snake, especially just before it sheds, or when the shedding cycle begins. I keep mine in shoe boxes with a water container and paper towelling, which I spray ocassionally. They still would have problems if I didn't have the humidifier going almost daily. The boxes dry out rapidly.
In most of my tanks I keep large containers of water (2), in case one gets dirtied. I also have a humid hide. Some species are more at risk than others. And humid hides don't have to have moss in them. There are other kinds of humid hides, such as one I use..a recycled kitty litter box, a couple gallon capacity, which has about an inch of gravel in the bottom that can be easily cleaned, dries out over a week, or two, and can keep the actual water from contact with the snake. I stuff some newspaper in for the snake to hide under. They only use these hides when necessary from what I can tell, and I haven't had any problems with them. I've only had problems with containers of damp moss and no air circulation.
I think all newbies should be aware of a possible dehydration problem under certain circumstances. Any other opinions on this topic??
Happy Holidays....Terry :wavey:
I consider humidity levels to be a problem, because I live in AZ and cold weather humidity levels are mostly single digits. I think anyone who lives in an area that gets cold weather in winter or in an area that has a dry climate, should be concerned about humidity for their corns. This is not because corns are less hardy than other snakes, but corns in the wild do come from humid climates and dry conditions will be a problem for any species, imho.
In my Brumation Room the relative or ambient humidity is around 35%, so I don't worry about dehydration as much. Still, I use humid hides and check the water in their tanks every couple weeks. In my Herp Room, where I over-winter the active snakes, the humidity level is very low, so I use every trick I can to help my snakes.
Some of my snakes protect themselves by over-wintering in one of their water containers. These are not corn snakes, but a very close relative, Emory's ratsnakes.
A Brazos Island female spending several weeks in her smaller water jug....
A La Salle County Emory's ratsnake soaking in its water jug....
The La Salle doesn't soak as much, but the Brazos Island's do this a lot. Their fear must be greater. BTW, I've seen snakes do this for an entire brumation with no adverse affects.
In areas where folks have to heat their homes, which is almost everywhere, the heat source normally reduces the humidity levels. I would recommend everyone be familiar with their humidity levels year 'round. Baby snakes and yearlings are especially susceptible to dry conditions. I keep a close eye on my babies and make sure they aren't in a very dry situation. If you keep your snake in a large viv, you might want to keep a humid hide in the tank as protection for your snake, especially just before it sheds, or when the shedding cycle begins. I keep mine in shoe boxes with a water container and paper towelling, which I spray ocassionally. They still would have problems if I didn't have the humidifier going almost daily. The boxes dry out rapidly.
In most of my tanks I keep large containers of water (2), in case one gets dirtied. I also have a humid hide. Some species are more at risk than others. And humid hides don't have to have moss in them. There are other kinds of humid hides, such as one I use..a recycled kitty litter box, a couple gallon capacity, which has about an inch of gravel in the bottom that can be easily cleaned, dries out over a week, or two, and can keep the actual water from contact with the snake. I stuff some newspaper in for the snake to hide under. They only use these hides when necessary from what I can tell, and I haven't had any problems with them. I've only had problems with containers of damp moss and no air circulation.
I think all newbies should be aware of a possible dehydration problem under certain circumstances. Any other opinions on this topic??
Happy Holidays....Terry :wavey:
