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too low humidity
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:38 pm
by StaceyLeigh
Ok so the cold weather has come here and the humidity has dropped big time. We are also now using the pellet stoves in the house which further dries things out. So I noticed the skinks bellies felt very dry/rough, and the humidity was only reading 15%
They are both Northerns. So I changed the substrate from aspen to repti-bark(ZOO-Med) because I had seen on here people mentioning that it held moisture better. Doing this has raised the humidity to 30% should I try to get it higher or is this good for Northerns? I was also thinking of adding humidifiers to both rooms?
The only down-side to the repti-bark is they are both burrowing more in it, and I can't see them
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:54 pm
by Bird_Brain
I think 30% is fine.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:57 pm
by Jeff
You should be fine at 30% for the winter. I have found that the ambient humidity is not as important as the dampness of the substrate itself when it comes to dry bellies. If you mist the reptibark occasionally, their scales should go back to normal in a week or two.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:31 pm
by MissMeg
I had kinda the same problem. Except I had to remove all substate so what I did was added a "Burrow" box. I used a kitty litter box I got (New nto used) and filled it with coco husk and I keep that moist.
I had to remove substrate because we are trying to fight off worms lol
He loves his box Hell sit in there for a few hour a day. I noticed today he was digging in it (I didnt see him but I saw his holes) Hes also shedding right now
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:38 pm
by Zach
ReptileKing wrote:I think 30% is fine.
Agreed...
Remember a large water bowl (rather than a small cereal bowl for example) helps with humidity year 'round.
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:58 pm
by Edward
Jeff wrote:You should be fine at 30% for the winter. I have found that the ambient humidity is not as important as the dampness of the substrate itself when it comes to dry bellies. If you mist the reptibark occasionally, their scales should go back to normal in a week or two.
Agreed 100%.
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:49 pm
by StaceyLeigh
Since I changed the substrate the humidity has stayed in the 28-32% range. I have been misting daily. I have already noticed a small improvement in the scales on the bellies. Thanks guys!
