Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What level of humidity should I maintain in my yellow's cage? I mist 2-3 times day and it hovers right around 50-60% based on this. I also use the mulch that retains humidity. It seems like it should be higher than 50-60%. If so, what can I do to raise it and keep it maintained at the appropriate levels? Also, the cage that I have is all wood with glass door panels. Actually, its pressed wood with a veneer (which does not absorb moisture). I thought about a mister or fogger. What do you guys think or recommend? I was told that 50% humitdity is ok as long as there is a good size water dish for it to soak in - which I do have in there.

For my yellow I am using a deli cup filled with moss and water and it is placed directly under the light. Her tank is staying around 78-80% humidity. Hope this helps some. Physignathus a.k.a. Macroclemys, CrownedOne, Steven

` Constantly damp substrate can cause problems with health. After years of experimenting, I've found dry newspaper to be the best.
` Misting causes damp areas, too.
` If the upper part of the cage is sealed well, you can trap humidity. I vent my cages at floor level, only. Screen top, or any other open top cages release the humidity.
` I keep their soaking water over an 84 to 88 degree F. spot in the floor. The water evaporates, and the cage traps the humidity. I have to put small fans on my vents to keep the humidity below 80%.
` Measure the humidity at floor level, and about 8 inches above. Add them together, then divide by 2. That is usually a good average.
`

-----

to measure the cage humidity? I would agree with you in that what you are doing should have resulted in a higher humidity. Many hygrometers on the market can be in error by 10 to 20%. Additionally, how are you providing heat to this cage? Thanks,

Kelly

I have a cage that is 36" high X 24" wide X 24" deep. I am using a 75W Exo-Terra Sunglo bulb that sit on the very top of the cage. The cage temp is between 82/90 degrees. I noticed last night that when the light was off the humidity level went up 10% to from 50 to 60 and now back down 10% to 50 again.

I have read that a fogger will raise the humidity levels almost 100%. Has anyone used a fogger?

I dont know what misters get that high of humidity but i know that you dont need 100% humidity. That means its raining. Same as if the dew point is equal to the actual temp. Rain.
Dont assume that your conda will suffer below 65% humidity because mine don't.

My two cents,
Arik

If I keep giving my two cents worth I'm going to be broke soon. lol

will not lower the humidity as much as internal cage heat sources. I would be curious as to the substrate temp. in your cage and where in the cage you are measuring the humidity. Also, what type and brand of hygrometer are you using to measure the humidity. Thanks,

Kelly

The hygrometer is a zoomed and I have it about 12 inches from the bottom. How about putting a humidifier in the cage?

I try to keep the humidity in my greens cages between 60 and 70% and have not experienced any problems. When shedding, I will mist them a couple of times per day, a day or two before they shed. Thats the only time that I ever actively try to raise the humidity in the cage. Nothing against Zoo Med as they have some great products, but humidity measurement is very difficult to measure with great accuracy unless you spend a fair amount of money. Having worked in a lab some years ago, I had the opportunity to use and compare hygrometers from different manufacturer's. To get accuracy consistently within /- 5% of the true value over a wide range of temperatures, you will be spending a minimum of $75.00 on the unit. Really accurate hygrometers ( /- 2%)are in the $100 to $300 dollar range. What I am taking so long to say is that with your moist substrate and misting several times a day, your humidity is probably higher than what the hygrometer is showing; this gauge could easily be off by 10% or more, and they typically read low. Try laying it directly on the substrate and see what it reads. If by some chance your hygrometer has an adjustment screw, let me know as I can give you a simple procedure for calibrating it. Thanks,

Kelly

After reading your last post, I realized that my hygrometer was about 20" off the bottom of the cage. I moved it down to about 4" off the bottom and now the humidity level is at 70-75% which I beleive is fine according to what you said. Based on that, I guess there's no reason to do anything more? Is it ok to mist the substrate a couple time per day?

One further question - my snake has been close to shedding for about 4-5 days now (his eyes have been completely clouded). How long will it take for him to begin shedding the skin. I start to get worried because he has been in his hide box for 5 days stright now. Thanks for all your help. I am learning so much!

Your low initial humidity readings make more sense now with the gauge being that high above the floor with an internal heat source. A humidity of 70 to 75% is fine as long as you don't average higher than that. You could mist her directly just before shedding but with your current readings, I would just stay with what you are doing otherwise. She should typically shed 1 to 3 days after she clears.

Kelly