2 in 1 moist/dry hide?

[HeatherF]

Hello, is there any reason a single hide cannot have a moist side and a dry side, or would the humidity be too high? I have a large rock-like hide that he really seems to like, but it takes up the whole hot side of the tank. I have moist & dry hides on the other side, too, but he doesn't seem to spend any time in them. I was worried he wouldn't get enough moisture for shedding so I've been putting a moistened blanket (piece of sweatshirt material) on one side. He really seems to like that also. Is that okay or does he need a hot hide that is completely dry? thanks!

 

[Aimless]

I think combining the two defeats the purpose of separate hides.

 

[HeatherF]

I do have three hides in the tank, he just doesn't ever seem to use the other two other than to dash through them chasing crickets. I guess I should explain I started putting the moist cloth in the hot hide after he had skin left on a toe and it started getting red. I did give him a warm foot bath also and after a couple of days it looked perfect again. I just want to be sure it's not bad for him somehow.

 

[warhawk]

The problem you will run into is keeping the moist hide moist. When you combine the two you will loose the small enclosed space you need to keep the water in the moist hide. Most tanks it is hard to keep the humidity up in the whole tank so a moist hide gives the gecko the best of both.

My oldest gecko spends most of his time in the warm hide but about a week before he sheds he moves to the moist hide and stays there most of the time. But I have others that stay in the moist hide more.


The main thing is keep the hide moist so if you need to add water every day or even twice a day make sure it stays damp. With a separate hide it will hold water longer.

 

[HeatherF]

Thanks, that's helpful. I do remoisten the cloth in the warm hide and the other moist hide daily. I started using cloth because it held moisture much longer than moss. It will be interesting to see if he starts using the moist hide on the cooler side when summer really arrives. That would at least confirm that he doesn't use them because they're too cool. But really what I will need to do soon is get a larger tank that can accommodate another hide on the hot side.

 

[warhawk]

Bigger is normally better. It will give you room to put more hides and really give your little guy lots of options. I have used different things to hold the moisture over the years and I really like coconut fiber. The only thing is it will make a bit of a mess when they drag it out of the hide. My younger guys all get damp paper towels folded it helps keep their tanks clean.