Merauke humidity level?

[ViolentJ]

Can someone please confirm what humidity level I should have for my Merauke?

[Lizardqueen&Chuckie]

I assume it would be the same as most species, at about 25 - 40%

But I dont know anything about merukes so...

[ViolentJ]

In my substrate thread someone mentioned that it would be higher?

[Lizardqueen&Chuckie]

Higher than 50% can cause problems such as respitory infections. but higher humidities can aid with shedding too.

[Bird_Brain]

If you google a quick search on the humidity level of Merauke, you will get a better idea of your skinks natural environment. From what I am finding, 80% is about the average relative humidity for the Indonesian Islands.

[Katrina]

If you go by the Bluey Bible these species require 60% humidity+. Although some people will argue this, this link here

http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/Moresby/920350.htm

shows historical weather info for the area, and no matter what part of Indonesia you search the humidity rarely drops below 60%. Andrew Seike also has quite a few articles that support this fact, but I can't find where I saved them... Thanks to Andrew for this link as well.

Basically, they come from an area that has high humidity year round. That said, its unrealistic for us to try to emulate the natural environment - 100% humidity for the rainy season is not easily done in captivity.

Mine do best at about 50-60% humidity - they shed great and look great. Anything lower than that and they get dry scales and don't shed as nicely. Because our place gets really dry in the winter I use a combination of a humidifier and cypress mulch. I mist the mulch whenever it dries out - this product is excellent in my opinion because it does not mold easily. A humid hide is another great option.

[ViolentJ]

That's ok then, I'm reading 63% right now. Thanks guys.

[Pesky Fly]

I have a humidity of around 30% in my tank, I almost never mist it an my Meruke does fine. However, I give him a 10-20 min. bath 3-4 times a week. I really dont know hom much they should have, but Edd does fine.

-Pesky

[Katrina]

Why would you bath him that much?

Also, you've only had him for a few weeks, right?

[Tattoo]

I think 40% humidity is a good bottom line humidity for these guys and 50 to 60% would be no problem for them.

[Jeff]

Just remember that alot of information on bts is "generic" information about tiliqua in general. The different species come from vastly different climates. What is good for a blothched is not good for a meruake. Indonesia is VERY different than most of Australia. The indonesian species may never see humidity levels below 60% in the wild. Like Katrina said, you will probably not be able to replicate those levels, but with a merauke, it's pretty safe to say, the higher the humidity, the better. It's similar to saying the lower the humidity, the better for a rugosa, occi, or multi.

[El Lobo]

Yes to what Jeff said. My neighbour's son is currently in Jakarta bike racing and told his father that the humidity is around 90% plus temperature of 30°C.

My highland blotched wont stay under their heat lamp if it is 38°C. I have to get it down to around 31-32°C for them to bask for any period of time. But I guess they are at the opposite end of the spectrum of natural environment to the warmer climate species.