How to control humidity levels for eastern shinglebacks?

[Crazy76]

hi i am just wondering if anyone can help me lower the humidity level in my wooden indoor shingleback enclosure? I only provide water for 10 minutes every other day and keep their enclosure very clean and dry. I live in Sydney, and on dry days i can keep humidity at 40-50%, but when it rains and is hot the humidity jumps up to 70%. I am worried about them, i have only had them 2 weeks and am worried about respiratory infections. Are these humidity levels ok? or dangerous? The shinglebacks at this stage have shown no symptoms of RI, but one is rather lazy and sleeping a lot.
I keep their hot end at 32 degrees celcius and their cool end at 25-27 degrees celcius.

[scaredofbees]

A well ventilated enclosure (screen top and side vents), will help keep damp air from stagnating inside. You can use a substrate that doesn't retain moisture (aspen shavings, reptile carpet). Some people use sand, but it's generally not recommended for various hygiene reasons. A lot of Aussie keepers use this compacted wood kitty litter stuff... looks like little pellets. If good ventilation and a non-moisture retaining substrate aren't helping, you may have to invest in a small dehumidifier to keep near the enclosure. I keep mine in the basement where it gets a little humid in the summer and periodically run a dehumidifier to keep the moisture low.

Make sure you have a good hygrometer, too. A digital one seems to give a more accurate reading than the stick-on dial ones sold at pet stores (or so I've been told).

If your home has air conditioning, that will really help keep the relative humidity low as well.

[Jeff]

I think that short of a dehumidifier that Nathan suggested, the substrate you use will make the most difference. If you use a substrate that pulls moisture out of the air like carefresh or the ones already suggested you should be able to lower the humidity by more frequent substrate changes as well. What are you using?

While fresh air is always a good thing, in your case where the ambient humidity outside your enclosure is higher than you want, I would think that the more ventilation you have, the harder it will be to keep the enclosure dry. You only need to control the humidity inside the enclosure, so keeping that air somewhat separated to the humid outside air will make that easier.

I really can't help much because I don't have humidity issues where I live. Occassional spikes into the low 30%'s is about as high as my western shinglebacks have ever had to experience. Good luck.

[Crazy76]

im using wood shavings, from the pet shop, but its not aspen shavings i dont think. i was thinking of maybe using kitty litter instead as that i would think would be super absorbent. Last night i put a lot of shredded paper in the enclosure to try and absorb the moisture, it seems to have worked so far as humidity was at 50 percent this arvo, an improvement from 70 percent. (yeah i use a digital hygrometer).
However, now that its night time and their basking spot has dropped temp a little to 28, the humidity is back up to 60 percent. Grr.
Conditions at the moment in Sydney are ridiculously hot and humid, so im hoping when the humidity drops a little the levels will fall below 45 again. I wish humidity wasn't an issue like you have it!
Thanks for your advice guys, ill keep trying and worrying like any mum

[Fatal_S]

A cheap option for dropping humidity is putting rice inside ladies pantyhose (kneehighs). Hang some of these in the tank and the rice should soak up the humidity. This works well in indoor or closed-off enclosures, not sure how it would work outdoors or in enclosures with high airflow.

[occi1]

Hi,
I keep shiglebacks in Melbourne and I offer them water twice a week for about a hour. As others have said, keep the indoor enclosure well ventilated. I haven't had any issue with humidity excepted with newly aquired animals. As long as the substrate is dry , don't worry. Just keep an eye out and enjoy them. A friend has the same results in the Gosford area.
I successfully keep some southern highland shinglebacks outdoors year round . They are sheltered from the rain and have been outdoors for 2 years with no issues. Good luck

[Crazy76]

Oh good, so my stress levels can ease a little. Thanks for telling me about ur shingles!
I put the shredded paper in to drop the humidity levels, and it turns out they adore it as a hide, they climb it and sleep in it, so cute. And it keeps the humidity down, so win win. The rice idea is a great idea! i might do that as well, so i can decrease the amount of shredded paper in their tank, although i think they actually really LOVE how much there is in there now, so funny, they have so much character its adorable

[Richard.C]

just give them plenty of ventilation,keep the enclosure dry,only offer water 2 to 3 times a week and take it out when they are done,im in melb also and mine thrive,i also like to make there basking area closer to 40 degrees,and my cool end is usually room temp,which depending on lovely melb weather varys from low teens to 30 plus,lol,no need to overly stress,they are quite hardy

[Red Ink AUS]

Ventalation as others said (I'm in Melb with my stumpy) and I find breeders choice kitty litter also seem to suck out the humidity in the air. It could be as high as in the 80s around the house but never seems to go past mid 40s in my enclosure.

[Crazy76]

great! thanks Richard and Red Ink AUS, great to hear about what other owners do. Now that i have upped the heat to 38/40 and only offer water every few days the humidity has really settled. I think my temps were not hot enough, and that was my main problem