Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some suggestions. Right now for humid hides I am useing some plastic type hides that look like rock. They are they type with only one enterence, basicaly a box that looks like a rock with an inch or two hole in the front for an enterence. I am currently useing some paper towels that I spray with a squirt bottle and get wet but not drenched. The problem I have is the hide is drying out too quick. I would preferr a more natural looking hide but in the end whatevers best for them. One cage has 2 leos in it one has 1 so a huge hide is not as preferred to some small or medium sized ones. Should I change what I am useing or change what I am putting inside it? I know I can get some of those disposeable tupperware tubs but I would like to find something more natural. Basicaly the humid hides are drying out and I would like to keep them moist longer.

What if I move the humid hide off the hot zone and more in the middle or half on hot half on warm? I always hear put the humid hide on the hot side. Is it bad to take if off or have it half on half off?

I would def suggest keepting the humid-hide near the hot side (middle of tank might be all right too).....but your gecko won't even enter the humid hide if it is wet and cold in there.

Try using Sphagnum Moss instead of papertowels..........Where do you live by the way? I live in TN where the humidity is always around 40-70%, and I have never needed to use humid hides.

Also, what substrate do you use? You might want to consider putting peat moss as the substrate in the hide...along with the sphagnum moss.
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1.3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles

I put a 1/4"-1/2" layer of that calcium sand on the floor then I cover it all with cut tiles. The gaps are less than 1/16". I live in San Diego, CA. The average humidity in the room ranges from 33%-50%. I tried the moss for a little while but it seemed like the crickets loved to get in there and hide. Is there risks of impaction with peat moss? I put the tiles on because I wanted something a little more natural than paper towels and tile seemed the safest of the natural looking choices.

Like I said I use those plastic or molded hides that look like rocks. I will try the moss if I have to. Does it matter what type of peat moss or sphagnum moss? Right now with the paper towels I get it damp its not cold, or soaking but I do have to get it some wet or it will dry out in hours. I put several layers and made it thick last time but still pretty much same results. Could it be the type of hide? I could do the tupperware thing but those thigs are god awfully ugly.

I completely understand your reluctance with the tupperware....they are quitre unsightly.

Perhaps the material composition of the hide cave is actually absorbing the humidity......that's the one good quality about the tupperware hides - no absorbtion.

As far as impaction, there's always a risk with any particle "substrate". I have never used this except with snakes, but Zilla makes a good sphagnum moss/fir bark mix that does an incredible job of retaining humidity.

A small water dish like a petri dish inside a large hide will also create a good humidity level inside the hide (or even moistened sand or vermiculite - but I take it you're trying to keep imapction risk at a minimal).
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1.3.0 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 California Kingsnake
0.1.0 Copperhead
1.1.0 Eastern Box Tutles

You could always use vermiculite inside the humid hides. You can find it where they sell top soil for indoor plants etc. Use 1/3 water to 2/3 rds vermiculite. Otherwise, keep newspapers/papertowels inside the tank for a substrate. You don't wont parasites to grow or possible impaction you could get with calcisand.

Vets. tell you to use paper towels and newspaper, for that reason.