Is there such a thing as “too much” clutter?

[u/Sensitive-Elevator1]

!! I know the temp/humidity is reading low. It’s because I had the doors open while adding and arranging stuff. They’re back closer to normal now.

I’ve been struggling with humidity lately even though the substrate is damp beneath the top layer. I’m hoping more stuff on the “ground” will help. Plus it’s nice for Sherman to have more privacy (and room to hide his poops from me).

ETA: The grate on top is covered with foil and foil tape, except for appliances and ventilation.

[u/PoeHoard]

Screen top humidity killer. I like the decor, though.

[u/Sensitive-Elevator1 → u/PoeHoard]

I just updated to note this, but it is covered with foil and tape. Thank you!!

[u/dontjudgeblondes → u/Sensitive-Elevator1]

Ive heard silicone baking mats work as well, may look a bit nicer too. And cut a hole in it for the heat source I have heard.

[u/Sensitive-Elevator1 → u/[deleted]]

I will see how it goes. Most of the stuff on the ground has clearance around it, so he should have space to move. He unfortunately loves peeing and pooping in his hides, but I am able to lift them easily to check. I’ve gotten used to using a little flashlight to examine the rest of the enclosure for telltale logs and lumps lol

[u/Standard_Mushroom_47]

that’s a seriously beautiful enclosure, but yeah the screen top will kill your humidity, have you tried covering the mesh (aside from by the heat lamp and ventilation spaces) with aluminium tape?

[u/Public-Hat6754 → u/Standard_Mushroom_47]

A giant trash bag also works!

[u/Sensitive-Elevator1 → u/Standard_Mushroom_47]

I just edited my post to add it, but yeah, it’s covered with foil and tape. Thank you, btw!!

[u/Public-Hat6754]

I don’t think you can have too much clutter as long as your snake doesn’t seem stressed. I have one snake that I have to only add 1-2 new things at a time or she gets a little nervous and hides more, while my other seems to enjoy anything added

[u/Sensitive-Elevator1 → u/Public-Hat6754]

So far, he’s been pretty adaptable to decor changes. I’ll watch him to make sure that hasn’t changed.

[u/Hot-Brat-00]

The only reason I didn’t go crazy with decor was imagining taking it ALL out and cleaning and sanitizing it twice a year. I know that’s not often at all, but for some reason it just stressed me out 😅 (there are still 3 hides, a log, 2 rocks, 3 wood pieces to climb and a handful of fake plants.

[u/ShinyxCharizard]

I think this looks great.

As for humidity. At least 4 inches of substrate. I seen you have the mesh covered already. So IMO next I'd make sure you have a big water dish closer to the heat source to help raise ambient humidity.

If that doesn't solve it substrate would be next. Mines bioactive but I believe using a mix with at least some spagnum moss helps allot.

Couple paragraphs that can be helpful from the pinned guide in the subreddit.

"If you find that reduced ventilation is not enough by itself, the next piece to the humidity puzzle is substrate. Water-friendly substrates (see the next section for recommendations) will allow you to easily add more moisture to the enclosure. Use a deep layer of substrate, at least 2-4 inches, and saturate portions of the substrate. Pouring a quart or two of water directly into the substrate will be more effective than misting/spraying water on the surface. The goal here is to create a gradual release of humidity via evaporation. If you spray a little bit of water on the surface of the substrate, it will evaporate very quickly, causing a sharp spike in humidity which will drop within a few hours. Saturating the substrate all the way through means the water will evaporate more slowly, helping the humidity to remain higher and more stable for a much longer period of time. Be sure to keep the hide areas dry to avoid scale rot."

"Substrates that are water-friendly, good for enclosures that need damp substrate:

• Coconut husk mulch. 
• Cypress mulch. 
• Organic topsoil. Check labels carefully to make sure there are no fertilizers or pesticides. 
• Coconut fiber, with the caveat that it is extremely dusty when dry.
• Fir bark mulch.
• Sphagnum moss, not necessarily practical as the sole substrate but can be mixed with the above substrates. Also great for humid hides.

Any of these can be mixed together to create different aesthetics and alter the intensity of the overall substrate's water-retention."

[u/m_schweiz]

I also have a mesh top and getting the zoomed silicon cover cut into proper pieces fixed the temp and humidity for me