humidity question

LisaN · Member Joined: Sep 03, 2007 Posts: 64

So, what would I look for if the humidity is too low in my enclosure? My tegus are much quieter, less active, I'm sure trying to hybernate, but I'm concerned that some of it could be the humidity. I might just be paranoid, but better to be safe.

I have a glass tank with a screen top.....not great, but this is only until spring when I can put them outside. They have a hide with a lot of substrate that I keep moist...they are in there most of the time any more. They also have a bowl of drinking water and a large bowl for soaking. I do not see them getting in the large bowl and I also mist once to twice a day.

They are not eating very much....instead of nice fat bellies they have wrinkles on the sides and only stay out of their hide for a very short time every day. I've been staring at their toes and tails....they seem normal. : ) I'm not sure what retained shed that causes problems looks like. Just want to make sure that the attitude change is because of the time of year and not environment.
Any thoughts and info would be great.

LisaN

dpjm · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:06 am Post subject:

You can see if they're dehydrated by doing a pinch test. Pinch a small section of skin and when you let go if the skin stays pinched together then they're dehydrated, if it goes back to normal, then they're probably ok. You can raise the cage humidity by laying a wet towel over part of the screen and misting the cage. Try to keep it around 60-70%. If that doesn't work, you can at least make sure that their hide is humid. That's what I do, my tegu fee-roams and I can't keep my whole place at that humidity, so I gave him a humid hide and he's doing great.