Worried about humidity levels...

[Rime]

Hello. c: I just got a juvenile crested gecko yesterday. He is very friendly and is already comfortable enough to fall asleep on me. I've misted his cage a few times and noticed that the humidity levels don't drop below 90%. I think it's because I live in a naturally damp area. I'm just curious if it's okay that I let it stay high for a while until I get it to average out or if anyone has any suggestions on how to lower humidity levels. I'm just nervous because this is my first time owning a crested (I also have two adult leopard geckos) and I'm not sure how sensitive young ones are to high humidity levels for days at a time. Oh, and what are some warning signs to watch out for that he would be getting sick or dehydrated? Also, are red arrowhead plants safe for crested geckos? The reptile guy at the pet store had some in his enclosure so I bought one. Thank you for your time and any help. c:

I attached some pictures of him (his name is Catacomb -- Cat for short) and I hope they show up the right way. XD I think they might be rotated the wrong way.

 

[acpart]

Congratulations on your crestie. I'm not a crestie expert (I have one as well as some gargoyles) but my understanding is that humid is fine, wet and moldy is not. I also think that babies generally need it more humid than adults. Everything (as well as the plants) sounds OK, but hopefully some people who keep more cresties will reinforce that soon.

Aliza

 

[CrestedRick]

I keep potshots, pepperomia and snake plants in my tanks. As for the humidity it's a good idea to have it 90% at night and have a drop to 50-60% during the day. I would suggest possibly adding something to improve air circulation. I have seen people use small computer fans on top of their enclosures to help air flow and help dry things out between mistings. Also are you using a clean up crew such as springtails of Isopods? These will help get rid of Amy mold that pops up along with dead leaf litter and droppings.

 

[Shelley]

What are springtails of Isopods? I have had my crested gecko for a little under two weeks, and my eco-earth is so saturated with water from misting that I have a little mold in it. The mold is on a log.

 

[CrestedRick]

You need to cut back on mistings and figure out humidity problem because until you do the mold issue will continue to happen. They are the clean up crews for vivariums, they eat the mold and droppings and leaf litter. The biggest issue that needs to be addressed is the issue of the mold and humidity.

 

[Shelley]

I am misting from a regular squirt bottle that I bought at Petsmart. I was misting heavily to get the gauge to 50%, but since the mold, I am misting lightly. Thank you for your help.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Shelley ~

What type hygrometer gauge do you use? Unless you have an accurate hygrometer to measure humidity, readings may not give you the true picture. Readings will usually vary widely over the course of a day.

There is no substitute for direct observation!

I keep my mature male crestie in an enclosure with cocopeat fiber substrate and a potted sanseveria. I spray moderately 1x per day generally in the evenings. I live on the northern Oregon coast where we get ample rain. ;-)

 

[Rime]

I've yet to be able to run into town and get some bugs for his cage but I am planning on it. Are there any you would recommend in particular?

 

[Rime]

Thank you!

Thank you guys for your input! Since I've had time to test what works with the humidity levels, it's been going great. c: I can get it down to 60% or so during the day and it's no issue getting it to raise. XD Cat even went through his first shed here with zero complications so I take that as a good sign the humidity levels are fine for him. Thank you again. c: