Humidity

Target – 40-60%

Corn snakes originate from the south eastern United States and reside in temperate conditions with moderate humidity. Moderate humidity is 40-60% for your corn snake. Not too wet and not too dry.

Too little humidity can cause dry scales, sores and may introduce infection. Too much humidity can lead to scale rot and respiratory infections. There are some tips and tricks to sort out your humidity.

Humidity too low

It goes without saying, low humidity is the lack of water within the environment – add water into the environment to increase. Several factors can effect your humidity including heating source, enclosure and substrate. For example if you use a mesh enclosure, you’re never going to maintain humidity levels as the water simply evaporates off into the external air. However, methods include:

Adding a larger water bowl but keeping the depth of the water low to avoid the risk of drowning (also ensure your corn snake can get in and out ok). Equally adding a second water bowl under or near to the heat source can increase humidity.

Daily misting using a spray bottle. Again you can buy reptile branded spray bottles for £4/5 or you can go to somewhere like B&M, Poundstretchers, or similar and pick up on for less than £1. Does the exact same thing and you can even get some cool colours – if that’s your thing! Just ensure the water you use is sterile and changed regularly. Give the enclosure, substrate, enrichment – everything – a spray. Done.

Humidity too high

Less of an issue most of the time than the opposite, this the presence of too much water in the environment. High humidity is nearly always a temporary issue for example after misting or adding fresh substrate until the moisture evaporates out. I just leave the humidity to resolve itself if there is an obvious and temporary cause. If you’re concerned you can always remove a vent to speed up evaporation (whilst under supervision to avoid escapes) or leave their enclosure door ajar (again, supervised).

If there is an extended period of high humidity, this is likely an environmental factor out with the enclosure that needs addressing.