Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

My Bosc is doing great other than still sometimes retaining some shed on his back for extended periods. Will get updated enclosure pics at some point. My latest question is how many of you have water bowls inside the enclosure that the animal can actually fit their entire body in? I am currently soaking him once or twice a week outside of his cage and am thinking a huge water bowl is just kind of taking up space in the enclosure. He doesn't seem to use it for soaking.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this,

Phiff

Hi, if there`s some retained shed the humidity is too low, what range have you got throughout the enclosure (including in the hides)?

I agree, if the humidity is high enough, soaking is not necessary.

Humidity too low, the animal will dehydrate, not quickly, but very very slowly over time.
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Thamnophis.co
Thamnophis dot net

too many darn snakes to list anymore...

I checked the humidity in one of his hides with a pet store gauge; looks like it is about 65%. other areas above the dirt are 55% right now. I didn't bother checking the basking area.

Your question reminded me to finally figure out how to seal the 1/8" gap at the door that is probably letting moisture out. Just bought some door sealers from the hardware store. I'm hoping this makes a big difference. Other than that, I plan on watering the dirt at least 3 times a week and see how the humidity is. Have you ever had issues with mold forming in/om the substrate?

thanks much,

P

How much dirt are you using? I think Frank uses like at least 2 fweet of dirt... More dirt can hold more moisture. Maybe Frank would like to chime in on this....

Well, two feet is what I recomend for most monitors, but the depth is not actually the point. He is right in the substrate is also a mass that holds humidity, but it surely does not need to be two feet deep.

All varanids, are in, much more then out. Where they are in is a mass that holds the right temps, and the right humidity. In nature, the actual air humidity is not a huge concern, as long as they have mass or shelter humidity.

For instance, with deep substrate, I never ever ever measure or worry about air humidity. Not with any species. And currently I also have greentrees and they are doing great. And I never measure their air humidity either. Thanks

Hi again phiff1,
The humidity level sounds reasonable, but because you`re using an analogue gauge, it may be quite inaccurate. The digital ones are very cheap, best to use those.
As far as the unshed skin on the dorsal surface, you can apply some mineral/baby oil as a "quick-fix, but the most important thing is to get a decent humidity range (accurately measured so the skin`s shed easily itself).

I too agree, if you have to soak the monitor, something is wrong.

ALso if you have to water the cage three times a week, something is wrong.

In most cases, its because of large venting and the heat source, a long way from the surface to be heated. In this case, its heats lots of air.

In that case, actual humidity is does not matter, its the heated air thats raising and causing deydration. The cure is a smaller heat source, closer to the surface to be heated.

The key here is the result, a land monitor soaking tells you its dehydrated and having to water the cage so often.

About mold, that is a sign of to much humidity. So what your looking at is humidity just below the level of what it takes to grow mold. Good luck

Never had mold in my dirt, But I had to take the log out, it was growing white hairy mold on it.
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Thamnophis.co
Thamnophis dot net

too many darn snakes to list anymore...

If your monitor is healthy,the fact that he isn't soaking is a good sign.Maybe the shedding isn't as big a problem as you think.From the little you have said you think things through-sometimes we over think.Just one perspective to think about.
Moe