Humidity issue

[kibakiba]

Scale rot and other skin issues.

[ConcinusMan]

I wanted bump this because I wanted to know if there was a consensus of the ideal humidity for garter snakes?

And if it depends on the garter snakes, what would be the ideal humidity for albino checkereds?

Put a shed box in the enclosure with a hole in the side so she can come and go.
The lid will keep the humidity very high in the box only.

good advice. Don't be too concerned over the ambient humidity if it is beyond your control. If you can't keep it at 40-70 percent then garters adapt by taking advantage of micro climates. I have found that very young garters especially, including albino checkereds, (some wild checkerds live in very dry, arid climate desert oasis') can have trouble shedding, and can even die from failure to shed. In spite of low relative humidity, garters get through it by finding a moist place to hide. An area of moist substrate to bury into, a damp hide (for example, a "shed box") etc.

I would take Steve's advice. Create an enclosed hide (preferably not near the basking, or hottest area) with damp paper towels, moss, newspaper, etc. inside. In spite of low humidity in the air of the tank, this will give the snake the moist micro climate it needs, as it needs it.

Scale rot and other skin issues.

Agreed. But high humidity alone (65-75%) won't cause those issues. Constantly damp substrate underneath them, causing bacteria growth, with no dry areas for them to retreat to, will.

[kibakiba]

He asked if you put too much humidity. Not just 65-75. Could be over 80, over 90 or any other number that is considered "too much"

[ConcinusMan]

He asked if you put too much humidity. Not just 65-75. Could be over 80, over 90 or any other number that is considered "too much"

Well then, if your enclosure starts smelling like an old damp dish rag, I would say it's "too much"

[kibakiba]

Indeed.

[EasternGirl]

I concur with everything Chris and Steve said...just try to keep the humidity up at 50% if you can...but many of us struggle with this during dry or cold months. Misting and keeping a nice moist hide can help with that. Just make sure when misting that you aim for the plants and do not make the substrate damp. I wouldn't recommend humidity over 70% for a garter on a regular basis...but like Chris said, normally wet substrate...a garter sitting in an area of damp or moist substrate for a prolonged period of time is what leads to skin problems like scale rot.

[BUSHSNAKE]

at 60% or lower i feel your snake is slowly becomming beef jerky... proper shedding, dehydration and respirtory problems i feel are directly linked to low humidity levels

[EasternGirl]

I wish I could get my humidity to stay up at 60% at all times...but it won't in the colder months. But I agree...at 60% my albino checkered finally had a successful shed after all his shedding problems.

[kibakiba]

You know what I do to raise humidity in dry months? I use my rice cooker, and stick a gallon of water in it... And I press "white rice" and let it boil for a few hours, letting the steam release in my office. I have to do that now, actually! I have 5 snakies shedding

[d_virginiana]

I tried misting Houdini's enclosure once... It was probably the biggest snake panic attack I've ever witnessed. We just rely on the water evaporating from their dishes to keep the humidity at an okay level.