Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since my hatchling has lost some toes in a recent fight to shed, his substrate is papertowels and nothing more. The only problem is that I cannot get the papertowels to stay moist enough to have the right humidity. Once the leo is healed will moss or some other substrate be okay? If so what kind?
Also right now, how can I keep the humidity up while using papertowels?
Thanks, Jessica

Jessica-

The only humidity that leos need is a humid hide, and nothing more. You are giving your gecko fresh water every day as well correct?

Paper towel substrate is the best. I know that it is not that attractive to the eye, but it is the safest. Also very easy to clean up and paper towels are cheap as well.

For a humidity chamber all you need is a plastic container. I use those ziploc containers. They have light blue lids, and the plastic is very soft to cut through. Cut a hole in the side for an entrance/exit. Keep moist paper towels inside for the humidity. I mist mine every day.
Also be sure to keep the humid hide on the warm end of the enclosure.

Thats all you need for your gecko and it should be fine. If it is still a problem shedder you'll have to help your gecko through it when it sheds to make sure that all the skin gets off. Or you may also want to get a humidifying spray. I have it on hand to spritz on my geckos. I love her to death, but she has an awful time shedding. I help her through it, but the spray helps as well to.

The spray is by ESU Reptile and its called TROPICAL MIST. Botanical humidifying spray with aloe vera and skin conditioners. You can find this product at www.thatpetplace.com Its pretty cheap to, and it works. But also make sure that you provide a humid hide for your gecko. Even when they aren't shedding, sometimes they will sit in there just for some humidity. Thats all they need, other wise keep their enclosure dry.

Hope this helps

Take Care

Shayna
Leo Lovers Lizard Lounge

I used paper towels in humid hide until yesterday. I picked up some of the flukers terrarium moss and soaked it for awhile. Then I lifted it out of the water until there was not a steady stream of water come out of the "mass" and put it in the humid hide. When I used paper towels they would be dry 24hrs later, so I am hoping that the moss will stay moist a little longer. Beleive it or not, a couple of weeks ago my biology lab class did an experiment with Sphagnum moss and paper towels. Paper towels absorbed about 5X their dry weight while Sphagnum mass absorbed aprox. 32X its dry weight. So the mosses should be a lot better about holding moisture in than paper towels, atleast I hope so