Setting up a moist hide

[KingMissile9]

I set up Foxy's new home and it's big enough to set up a moist hide (she hasn't had one for her whole 6 1/2 years) and I'm not sure how to set up the moss for maximum enjoyment. I just kind of filled the tupperware with it and left an opening so she could go in. If you have the time to post pictures of your cool, moist hide, please post it to help myself and Foxy out. Thanks!

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

In general I just use cheap "gladware" type containers of an appropriate size for the particular animal...fill it about half way with moist peat/sand mix...and cut a hole in the lid big enough for the animal to get in and out of. Spray inside with water as needed to retain moisture. Nothing fancy needed.

 

[KingMissile9]

oh. i made a little cave. hmmm. well I'll see how foxy treats it then treat it accordingly.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Nothing wrong with making it more aesthetically pleasing if you want to. As long as it will hold the moisture you'll be all set.

 

[Holly12]

Yeah same here I use peat moss and I use gladware myself for her moist hide and she likes it sometimes she will go and lay in it but nothing fancy for me.

 

[KingMissile9]

by cave i meant i made the tupperware into a "cave". but i also cut a hole in the top and sanded all of the corners. her underbelly temp is about 98. Is that ok?

 

[hyposhawn]

I used to use peat moss but it broke apart to easily.

 

[Holly12]

98 I think is a little high my leos tempature on the warm size is 85 and she is doing well with that tempature so maybe if you can bring it down to 85 then that will be better for your leo cuz it can be to hot and thats not good.

 

[hyposhawn]

My leo temp is 85 also! It sometimes gets to 87 but leos want to keep their body temps any where from 85-87 degrees.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

98 I think is a little high my leos tempature on the warm size is 85 and she is doing well with that tempature so maybe if you can bring it down to 85 then that will be better for your leo cuz it can be to hot and thats not good.

98 is Fine. That's just under our body temp and leos do not "burn" when we hold them (ColdBlooded used this as a great example not too long ago). My leos actually lie down in my hands/on my arm etc. trying to get as much body surface on me, absorbing the heat when I hold them. I think there is a wide range for appropriate temps, and everyone has their preferred temps. My terrariums are around 92-95F over the UTHs, and 70-75 on the cool side, and I'm sure you've seen my fat happy leos.
If you leo is eating/pooping/acting normal, I wouldn't change the temp at all.

 

[Holly12]

I agree cat named noodles and yes everyone has their preferred temps but I thought that 98 is a little bit to high so I keep my leos temp about 85 that way I know Iam not cooking her if you know what I mean lol.

 

[hyposhawn]

Leos body temps like to stay between 85-87 so generally the ground temp should be around 86 in the middle-warm side for them to maintain that temp and the basking spot should be around 90-95 for them to access warm temps quickly if their body temp is to low. The cool side should be about around 80 for them to cool off. Basically the temps should be increasing as they go up the tank for the leo to specifically choose their temperature. Meanwhile if the temps are to low and they can't get the body temps high enough they can't digest their food and they don't want to throw it up so they just won't eat. Many people say belly heat is the best but it really doesn't matter as long as they get the right temps they will survive good. Problems with a 88-92 basking spot is that the leo doesn't feel that it is too hot so they will stay on it too long and get overheated which is a problem to them. The temps should go like this.


-------------------------------------------
80----------------86-------------------90


with a basking spot of 93-97 so they can feel when it's too hot, get off, and then go about there buisness.As you can see Leo temps are very inprortant when it comes to feeding and other things. They will be less active because they want to keep the heat in and they will feel cold if the temps are to low. They are usually not that smart to go into a cool waterbowl when they are overheated and can even die. So now you know. Leo temps are very inportant come to think of it. Ok while I'm done here and I hope this benefits people. Thanks

 

[Allee Toler]

Well spoken Hyposhawn. =]

 

[hyposhawn]

Thanks

 

[ColdBlooded]

I use tupperware for my moist hides as well. Cheap and efficient.

On the topic of heat, I have been keeping mine at 97F for a long time with no ill effects. No burns, no lethargy, just healthy animals. And as Noodles said, I have yet to see a leo catch on fire at 98F .

Holly, I don't want to tell you how to keep your animals but I am concerned about the temperature of your warm side. 85F is way too cool in my opinion. Not only can cooler temperatures cause a lack of appetite or even the inability to digest food but it can also increase the likelihood of a respiratory infection. I would at least raise the temps to the 90s.

 

[lemonjello]

I'd say fill it up with vermiculite. They love that stuff. It is packable so they can dig and it is plenty moisturizing too

 

[Babb]

Leapord Geckos ProblemS

We have only had our leapord gecko for about a month. However, we are having several problems. He was great for a couple of weeks.

Then, he didnt eat and didnt eat. He lost alot of weight and his tail became small. We took him to the vet and he had two parasites. We have been giving him medicines. #1 2mg every 12 hours #2 2mg every 7days. Also, the vet recommended that we feed him baby food 3 times a day. This is a challenge. He seems to be feeling alright.

However, #1 the baby food has stopped and now he will not eat again.
#2 he is standing in his water only one foot, but he is standing there.
#3 His tail is bent. Only a small degree, but we are afraid during feeding (the baby food) he was injuried.

We explored geckos before we got him and I heard nothing about them getting this ill.

Some please help me save this little guy.

 

[lemonjello]

98 is Fine. That's just under our body temp and leos do not "burn" when we hold them (ColdBlooded used this as a great example not too long ago). My leos actually lie down in my hands/on my arm etc. trying to get as much body surface on me, absorbing the heat when I hold them. I think there is a wide range for appropriate temps, and everyone has their preferred temps. My terrariums are around 92-95F over the UTHs, and 70-75 on the cool side, and I'm sure you've seen my fat happy leos.
If you leo is eating/pooping/acting normal, I wouldn't change the temp at all.

Um... Yeah. Your internal temp is 98, but your external is usually somewhere in the 80's.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

We have only had our leapord gecko for about a month. However, we are having several problems. He was great for a couple of weeks.

Then, he didnt eat and didnt eat. He lost alot of weight and his tail became small. We took him to the vet and he had two parasites. We have been giving him medicines. #1 2mg every 12 hours #2 2mg every 7days. Also, the vet recommended that we feed him baby food 3 times a day. This is a challenge. He seems to be feeling alright.

However, #1 the baby food has stopped and now he will not eat again.
#2 he is standing in his water only one foot, but he is standing there.
#3 His tail is bent. Only a small degree, but we are afraid during feeding (the baby food) he was injuried.

We explored geckos before we got him and I heard nothing about them getting this ill.

Some please help me save this little guy.

You'll get a much better response if you post your own thread instead of highjacking someone elses.

 

[Babb]

I realized that after I posted that one.
Thanks!!