Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just added to my igs enclosure. I noticed that in the cooler areas the humidity was a lot higher than in the warm or hot areas. When the temp was at 75-82 the humidity was at 55-60. In the upper part where I had the heat on in one area the temp was 92 and the humidity was 30. I didn't have the heat on in the bottom of the enclosure yet and that is where it was cooler. Is that normal?

Yes, this is normal, basically the lamps bake the humidity right out of the air. That's why I just love our automated misting system. It is apauling how much heat lamps dehydrate the igs, even when you try your damnest to keep ambient humidity up. Try setting up a simple drip system so the igs can have access to fresh drinking water at all times. You'll be amazed at the change.

Julie

I was thinking about putting a fountain or waterfall in there. Would that help? They have always had plenty of water bowls in there and I mist throughout the day. Now there is a big pond in the bottom and bowls of water up top. An automatic misting system would be the perfect thing. How does yours work? How did you make it? Thanks.

A waterfall actually wouldn't do a whole lot to increase humidity, especially in an open-air cage; plus it would be a nightmare to keep clean.

While some igs can learn to drink from a tub, I've found that they have a hard time locating water unless it is actually moving, splashing, or dripping. The other major problem with a tub is that igs tend to defecate in them; that can be a good thing for helping to keep the cage clean, but then that makes it an unreliable source of drinking water.

We bought a Rainmaker Junior for our misting system, but the pump crapped out on us and we don't want to spend another $90 to replace the pump, so we're setting up a new system. We're using pretty much the same notion this guy did for his chameleon (the link is provided at the end of the message).

It's a simple, inexpensive system and apparently works well. The thing is with a misting system, you need to have some sort of drainage system as well. I wouldn't recommend it in your set-up because your wood isn't waterproofed or anything, so it would rot over time. A dripper would be a good quick and easy solution in your case, because you can simply position it over the tub.

The point is providing a source of drinking water. I think that's way more important than humidity alone. Ever since the igs have had a constant source of drinking water, it's just made such a huge difference. Their scales are lush, soft and shiny, and they obviously appreciate it when the water is made available. They lap at it quite enthusiastically.

Julie
Homemade misting system

Thank you so much for the info. I have 2 other water dishes in there besides the pool. The problem is that they aren't in the same place they used to be so they haven't drank from them yet. I planned for the pool to be something they could swim in. I plan on changing the water more than once a day to keep it clean. I need to get something to interest them in the water bowls now. The dripping system sounds like it would work. My cage isn't very water proof at all. When I mist it I try to just mist the plants. When I build another nicer enclosure I'm going to rethink the whole thing a lot better. Thanks again.