The ball python (Python regius), also known as the royal python, is a terrestrial snake species native to western and central Africa. These species are considered to be ideal for beginners because of their hardy nature, low maintenance, and calm temperament. That being said, these snakes require specific environmental conditions to remain healthy.
Before bringing a ball python into your home as a pet, you must do your homework. After all, reptiles require a specially adapted environment with lights and heaters, so you can’t just dump your new family member into any old terrarium and call it a day.
But don’t worry—caring for a ball python is easier than you might expect with careful setup and monitoring. In this blog post, we’ll go over everything from optimum temperature conditions for your new python to humidity levels that make your pet feel comfortable.
Keeping the humidity in your ball python’s enclosure at the proper levels is extremely important for your snake’s health and wellbeing However, sometimes humidity can drop too low, which can lead to problematic shedding, respiratory infections, and dehydration In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain why low humidity is an issue for ball pythons, provide the optimal humidity range, and give actionable tips for increasing humidity when it’s too low.
Why Low Humidity is a Problem for Ball Pythons
In the wild ball pythons originate from tropical regions of Africa with warm, humid conditions. Their bodies are adapted to function best within a narrow humidity range. Low humidity leads to several husbandry issues
-
Difficulty shedding – Ball pythons shed their skin periodically as they grow. Low humidity causes the old skin to become dry, tight, and difficult to slough off. This can lead to unshed patches getting stuck.
-
Respiratory infections – Drier air dehydrates and irritates their respiratory tract, making them prone to infection. Symptoms include wheezing, mucus, and prolonged yawning.
-
Dehydration – Dry conditions prevent proper hydration since ball pythons absorb water vapor through their scales. Dehydration causes lethargy, wrinkled skin, and bad sheds.
-
Stressed behavior – Ball pythons may nervously pace their enclosures or refuse food when humidity is inappropriate. Correct humidity keeps them calm and comfortable.
Clearly, monitoring and maintaining proper humidity levels is essential for keeping ball pythons healthy and thriving in captivity. Let’s look at what the ideal humidity range is.
What’s the Proper Humidity Range?
For pet ball pythons, the recommended humidity range is:
-
Normal range: 60–70%
-
During shedding: 70–80%
Humidity should not fall below 60% at any time. Ideally, maintaining 65% on average is a good target. Bump up near 80% when your snake is in shed cycle.
Use digital hygrometers with probes to monitor both the cool and warm ends accurately. Avoid analog/dial hygrometers which can be unreliable.
Now that we know what humidity levels to aim for, let’s go over some tips to raise humidity when it’s too low in your ball python’s enclosure.
Tips to Increase Low Ball Python Humidity
Here are proven methods to naturally increase humidity in your ball python’s habitat when levels are too low:
1. Reduce ventilation
Too much ventilation from mesh lids or screen tops is a common reason for humidity escaping from glass tanks. Cover around 50–80% of the screen top with something non-porous like aluminum foil, HVAC tape, or acrylic sheeting. Monitor to find the right amount of cover that maintains 60–70% humidity.
2. Use a humid hide
Place a plastic hide box with an entrance hole on the warm side of the tank. Add sphagnum moss or a moist paper towel inside. The snake can use this humid microclimate whenever it needs a humidity boost.
3. Use moisture-friendly substrates
Substrates like cypress mulch, coconut husk, and tropical mixes retain humidity better than aspen shavings or newspaper. Pour some water directly into the substrate, not just the surface, allowing it to fully absorb.
4. Add a larger water dish
Increase evaporation by using a bigger water dish. Ceramic crocks or heavy bowls prevent tipping over. Place it on the heated side of the tank.
5. Switch to under tank heating
Belly heat from under tank heat mats (UTH) creates a more humid microclimate than warm air from overhead ceramic heat emitters. Regulate with a thermostat.
6. Mist more frequently
Use a hand mister to spray the enclosure 1-2 times per day. Aim for the walls, furnishings, substrate, and your ball python if they enjoy it. Let droplets evaporate between misting.
7. Use a humidifier (optional)
Reptile humidifiers automatically mist the tank on a programmable cycle. They provide consistency if you have trouble managing humidity manually.
8. Switch to a plastic tub (optional)
Plastic tubs with air holes retain humidity much better than glass tanks with screen tops. Easy to modify and customize to your specific needs.
In Summary
Low humidity under 60% can negatively impact your ball python’s health, cause dehydration and shedding problems, and increase respiratory infections. Ideal humidity is 60–70% normally and 70-80% during shed cycles. There are many simple, natural ways to raise humidity like adding moss hides, pouring water into the substrate, and reducing ventilation. Invest in good hygrometers, monitor humidity diligently, and make adjustments as needed to provide your snake the proper humid environment it needs to thrive.
What Is the Ideal Humidity for Ball Pythons?
As previously stated, the right humidity is essential to your python’s respiratory health and shedding process. The ball python is native to regions where humidity levels range from 60 to 80 percent during the day and up to 100 percent at night.
In captivity, ball pythons generally thrive at a relative humidity of between 50% and 60%. While you don’t need to recreate their natural environment exactly, your goal should be to maintain the humidity level in the enclosure as close to that range as possible.
You can temporarily raise the humidity to 80% when your snake is shedding. However, this must be done properly since insufficient ventilation can lead to bacteria and fungi growing.
Importance of Keeping Proper Temperature and Humidity Levels
Since reptiles are cold-blooded, they rely on their external environment to regulate their body temperature; you must create a thermal gradient in your ball python’s terrarium. This way, your python can warm or cool down as needed. The right temperature is essential to your reptile’s metabolism and overall health.
Humidity is also important for your ball python’s well-being. When the humidity levels in its environment are too low, it can cause your pet to suffer from dehydration and become stuck during shedding. It can also make your python more prone to respiratory infections.
In the enclosure, we are attempting to mimic the natural environment of our ball pythons while minimizing elements that could lead to illness in the wild. Two of the key features of every climate are temperature and humidity levels. You could endanger the health of your python if you don’t keep these under close monitoring.
Humidity for Ball Pythons: how to get it right (and why you need to!)
FAQ
Is 50% humidity too low for a ball python?
Ball Pythons are tropical snakes, their humidity should never drop below 60%. Ideally it should be in the 70-80% range or above it. Many display signs of dehydration at 60% humidity already so, 40-50% will be very bad for them.
How do you raise the humidity in a ball python?
Lightly mist the entire enclosure, including the animal, substrate, and cage walls. The droplets that form will evaporate and increase the humidity. Also many reptiles like to drink up little water droplets off of the cage furnishings, rather than from a dish. Here’s a great tip: Use bottled water for your spraying.
Can you leave a heat lamp on 24/7 for ball python?
It is recommended to provide a 12-hour on, 12-hour off lighting schedule to mimic their natural habitat.
Is 85 too cold for a ball python?
Ball pythons need a heat gradient of 88-92F on the hot side, and 76-80F on the cold side. If the rest of the enclosure is 80-85F as you say it is, this will eventually kill your snake. They need to have a proper cold side below 80F so that they can regulate their body temperature.