Heating Hint for Humidity-Loving Herps Attn: beginners and newbs

[aaronhouts]

Got a gigas?

Struggling to keep that humidity up?

Here's something I've learned after 30 years of reptile keeping:

Anything that heats from above (bulbs, ceramic heat emitters, radiant heat panels) REMOVES humidity. If you need a more dry enclosure, this is a good choice.

If you need a humid environment for something like a Halmahera, Indo, etc., heat from below using something like a heat mat. I recommend always going for a quality heat mat and don't be afraid to spend a little more to get a great thermostat. There are a lot of good ones out there. Money spent on quality enclosure gear for herps is never wasted.

Just my opinion, YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary).

Good luck and Happy Herping!

Aaron

[tcopitho]

Awesome tip, I'm definitely going to keep that in mind.

Thanks Aaron!

[Dakota]

I concur. Last time I offered my Halmahera a basking spot, she developed a mild respiratory infection. Prolonged exposure to low humidity is hard on them. Underbelly heat is the way to go.

A reduction in ventilation, as well.

[VivariumVic]

The trouble I have fromy heating from below only is I worry about coldside temps. My house is kept at 70 in the winter. Never convinced my wife to bump it up to 75. How would you manage the cold side? Another heat pad with seperate thermostat? Are BTS ok with just belly heat what about the ambient temperature in the enclosure? I'm just asking out of curiosity because I found that pvc enclosures hold humidity really well even when the heat source is from above.

[aaronhouts]

70 isn't horrible for the cool side depending on the heat, but not great. We have a room for them and I keep the ambient in the upper 70s/low 80s. I understand that not everyone has that luxury.

What kind of enclosure are you using?

You're right about PVC.
A smaller, snug enclosure usually makes it easier to retain heat and humidity.

[Hyrulemaster77]

Hi there! I'm new and I'm hoping to have my first baby Bluey this summer! I have done a metric ton of research but I am curious about heating pads and how people here have used them. Do you put them on the bottom of the tank? I can't imagine that it would heat much but the glass? Can someone elaborate more on the set up or perhaps take some pictures? I'd love to see how you guys retain moisture in your tanks! I have two loving salamanders and I always struggle keeping it warm enough and wet enough.

[aaronhouts]

I'd use a rack system for the salamanders.
Tanks are really inefficient for holding heat and humidity.
I'm sure you could find a good tub size for them. What kind are they, how big are they and what size enclosure are they in now?

[Hyrulemaster77]

I'd use a rack system for the salamanders.
Tanks are really inefficient for holding heat and humidity.
I'm sure you could find a good tub size for them. What kind are they, how big are they and what size enclosure are they in now?

Thanks for getting back to me!

I've never thought of a tub enclosure, I'll have to look into that. I would feel bad taking away the glass though since they love to come and run up to the terrarium glass and paw at it! They are more like aquatic puppies then amphibians!

Anyways, as for what exactly they are my best guess is a hybridization between Eastern Spotted and Northern/Midwestern Tiger. They have traits of both and they have really odd texturing. It's not uncommon for Salamanders to hybridize, especially up here. They were rescue pets, but I think they're about 6 years old and fully grown (at least I got them 6 years ago and they were smaller then).

I'll try and upload some pictures at some point. I know they're not Skinks but I'm glad I am able to chat about humidity! It's tough to keep stuff humid this far north!

[aaronhouts]

You're welcome!

I know you're going to get a BTS soon and humidity conservation skills will help if you get a gigas like and Indonesian or a Merauke.

I kept snakes for decades so the closed racks worked well for smaller shy snakes.

For BTS, it seems something that lets in light and stimulation from the outside would work better. There are some people that keep their BTS in racks exclusively so I looked into it.

There's an open rack that will do the trick. We just got one for babies and sub-adults. They're mostly open on the sides and back and completely open on the front.

Here are some pics and the contact info for the guy that makes them. He's a friend from our boa constrictor breeding days and he and his work are awesome.