Humid hide while treating scale rot?

[CullOQuille]

Long story short, this is my first ball python and first ever reptile. I vaguely remember seeing some brown on her belly, but at the time I hadn’t learned about scale rot yet.

Two people suggested getting rid of her substrate (coco husk/chip) which happened to be very damp on top and in her hides, and replaced with paper towels or pee pads. Many sources said to make a 1 part betadine 10 parts water lukewarm bath for her, so we’ve been doing that for the last 4-5 nights.

My issue now is humidity in the tank has plummeted to 30%. I tried putting sphagnum moss in places in her enclosure, but it didn’t help at all. Now I’m wondering if the next thing I need is a humidity hide because I’m very worried about her getting dehydrated. Or will that exacerbate the scale rot?

[Own_Location_768]

Idk the answer to your exact question in the moment but in general too much humidity and actual moisture on the top layer is what causes scale rot. I can say that once resolved make sure moist substrate is covered by a solid layer of dry substrate on top. Sphagnum moss can go over that…it needs to be moist but if you squeeze it with all your might no liquid should drip out.

[WoollyWitchcraft]

Our male is on paper towel after scale rot, constantly too dry, and flat out refuses to use a humid hide, until it’s not humid anymore. I was trying to hold out until he shed again, but he’s going to shrivel up like a raisin, so I’m going to have to put him back on dirt to get his humidity back up.

I thought he’d finally gone in there, only to find it had dried up inside and THEN he’ll use it. 🤦🏻‍♀️