Posted by Joe on January 21, 2010 at 13:25:39:
When I get a series of emails about a subject that I believe applicable and commonly useful to the entire community I like to compile, condense and post the gist of the info in hopes of sparking a note of recognition in those who may mistakenly believe their problems/situations to be unique.
Snake husbandry and particularly that of species limited to particular climes is often not as difficult a discipline as most believe. The most challenging part is finding and maintaining ones specimens within their particular range of tolerances. There are few hard and fast rules where most reptiles are concerned, but that is not to say that there are none! Those that do exist are for the most part critical and the discipline or lack there of to adhere to those rules and maintain ones husbandry within those parameters is often the difference between a successful happy collection and one plagued with continuing problems.
Where ETBs and most Neotropical species are concerned, without question the most challenging aspect of keeping these species is the ability to achieve and maintain an adequate humiture without creating a stagnant environment. Regardless of the manner of containment, it is crucial that temperature, humidity and air exchange are kept in concert if ones specimens are to thrive. Because this forum deals primarily with ETBs and because my particular experience is more or less exponentially greater where they are concerned, I am going to limit my information to this species, however, I feel completely confident in the statement that within their own specific ranges, it is as critical to adhere to each set of individual parameters for all of these highly geographically evolved species.
Essentially, C. caninus/batesii will respond positively to humidity levels ranging from a NTL RH of 60 % during the evening hours to a DTH of 80% at its peak during the day.
While NTL levels should not exist any longer than necessary to completely dry out an enclosure, DTH levels should be either reached one or more times during daylight hours or reached and maintained for at least 50% of the total # of daylight hours dependant on ones containment parameters and the practicality of the methods involved to achieve either model.
IME failure to strictly monitor and adhere to this one parameter is without a doubt the most common explanation for loose coils, dry sheds, daytime activity, dehydration and/or a reluctance to feed.
So if and when (when being much more likely since it happens to ALL OF US) you experience any of these symptoms, look to your humidity levels first and make sure they’ve not inadvertently slipped out of this range.