Humidity & Blue Tongue Skinks - Ep. 41
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- Опубликовано: 16 авг 2017
- This episode discusses the commonly asked questions surrounding humidity and blue tongue skinks.
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ReptileMountain.TV RUclips Channel:
TC Houston, former professional zookeeper, SKINKAHOLIC, and reptile fanatic, shares his experiences and passion for keeping and breeding Blue-Tongue Skinks and other reptile species for the educational and overall betterment of the hobby. Subscribe to stay updated on more evidence-based, current, professional information about the reptile hobby and Blue-Tongue Skink care. Enjoy! Watch! Like! Share! Woot woot! 
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I'm glad you touched on this for people.
Maintaining appropriate humidity is such an important part of reptile care. In my view it is of equal importance to temperature or diet, and far too little attention is paid to this aspect considering the vast impact it can have on the health and activity levels. Not to mention the effect it has in contributing to the rampant dehydration we see so often in captive reptiles.
i made myself a home made misting system with just a small water pump used for RVs and campers they cost like $15 on amazon. bought a couple mist nozzles normally used for hydroponics and plugged it into a timer to go off a couple times a day.trying to find a decent humidity controller to go off just when the humidity is below a certain range.
Always so helpful. Great stuff, my bluey is always happy and healthy a lot thanks to your vids!
awesome thank you was wondering about this! And my first choice was a Eastern till I saw your baby Northerns and fell in love ha ha always look forward to your videos.
Nice job TC too often do we see this question with no prior research.
Just like to add i have my northern here in the UK on a top soil subtrate which i easily maintain a 40%-60% hum depending on time, raises as it heats or cools. And i use spagnamoss on the cool side which is the main thing i mist.
Also hope you do the Q&A on a weekend at a time i can see it. If not i still need that print looks awsome.
Keep up the good work TC.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us because your videos are very educational
You're the reason why I want a blue tongue skink
Thats awesome!
Thank you so much I didn't know this I've been told how important humidity is so I had been keeping it between 60 and 40. I didnt realise northerns can handle it dry with just a spray a day
Ok haha thank you soooo much I’ve just gotten an eastern blue tongue and I’ve done a bunch of research before hand but I’m still paranoid I’m doing something wrong anyway thanks so much really appreciated 🙏😁
Thanks TC. Gustavo is doing great. He is growing up fast!! Such a cute little bugger. He is shedding right now. I got him his breakfast and he didn't come out of his hide like usual so I got worried and started poking around to find him. I picked him up and half of his scales fell right off in my hand. He will be a hungry boy on Saturday
Lori Maddox Im so glad he's doing so well with you. Also super glad you enjoy him so much :-)
Hey there, TC! As always, I love your stuff and appreciate everything you do for the BTS community. I have an IJ BTS and I try to keep him between 60%-80% humidity (shoot for 70 ideally as I believe your videos taught me.
In the process of doing so, I end up with awfully soggy substrate, yet the humidity in the enclosure still drops at alarming rates. I run a reptifogger every 30 minutes on a timer (even that doesn't seem to keep the humidity from dropping to the 40s in around 20 minutes) while I'm away at work. I use crypress substrate and have about top 80% coverage in a decent sized tote with 20% exposed on the hot side for air flow. (I'm moving toward building a melamine enclosure, but a lack of power tools, time, and work space has made that tricky)
Do you think the substrate blend you described would help the issue, or make it worse? Any other advice for this scenario?
Awesome!!!
I just want to say that I love your videos and I’m glad I decided to watch this one, I have been watching your videos for months now and I’ve always wanted to know the different species of skinks and which ones are specifically high humidity and low humidity, this video really helped me a lot, keep up the good work! 👍🏻💕
You're awesome! Thanks for watching ;-)
ReptileMountain.TV always 💕💕💕
This is so helpful, we adopted a halmahera bts and have had some trouble getting the humidity to stay about 80%, it likes to stay at 65%. She is on eco earth, but it is pretty wet just to keep it at the 65%. We were going to get a mister, but now I am worried that would make it too wet? The tank is an open top tank. We do have a tile hide for her to dry off in, in addition to a hide over the substrate.
Could you do a video on the Halmahera subspecies
xDemon Hunterx Halmaheras are a locality type of the Indonesian BTS (Tiliqua gigas gigas). Someday I might do a video on them however I don't work with them presently so I'd need to link up with someone who does. Pretty animals with great color.
Congratulations on other good video, I have learned allot with your videos it Helped me significantly in the process to acquire my northern bts...and finally he arrived 1 of August...he still scared of me hissing alot and always Runnin from me :( but he is improving, today he accept a Dubia of my hand hehe...by the way I'm from Portugal and is none bts breather here need to get my bts from Spain... keep your good work TC
Congratulations on your new Skink !
Congrats on the new animal. Keep working with it and you'll end up with a great relationship! Thank you for Watching :-)
I live in Louisiana, so the humidity here is high regardless like a tropical area
That’ll do it
Here I was about to ask for a video on your opinion of this subject and then bam. Go to youtube and see video. Thats called service! Breakfast in bed style!
+Sarah Starks ha! Glad to serve ;-)
nice collection of skinks. am planning to buy an indo skink.
Thanks. That's awesome! Be sure to keep the humidity 80% and unless the seller has done so take it to the vet for a fecal and exam as Indos typically have internal parasites of some sort.
ReptileMountain.TV how do I keep my blue tongue Indonesia tq tank at 80 perfect humidity without it being to wet for him . I just found out that’s the kind I have . She’s been having shedding and respiratory issues.
What do you use to keep it high ?? A Fogger ?? A moist hide .
Thank you so much in advance .
Limit the amount of air flow in the enclosure (75% of screen top sealed off if you use screen top). Deep substrate that holds humidity well is important too (Sphagnum moss, coco husk, top soil, etc). An mist lightly and often. A humid hide is a good solution also.
I've got a Indo BTS, living in Canada its extremely difficult to get humidity during the fall, winter and spring months... Im using Zilla Brand Fir and sphagnum Moss and plantation soil mix. Works great and mist once a day but it's hard to keep it at 60%+. .. And I've noticed my skink loves laying in the stuff. During the winter I've got a vapour diffuser that runs for about 4 hours and really bumps the humidity up.
Awesomeness! Thanks for sharing this!
Which province you in?? I'm in sask
I have a question about how to get the water free from metal and that stuff I wonder cause I'm planning to get a northern bts do I need an osmosis filter or something in that direction
btw I love your content and keep up the good work
+pancakenowa I simply use zoomeds Reptisafe water treatment to neutralize the harmful contents. It has worked great for me for years. When I worked at the zoo we gave straight tap water to our reptiles and re-mineralized DI water to the amphibians.
Hi!
First of all, I love your videos! Keep on uploading :)
Okay, so on sunday I am getting my northern blue tongue skink (can’t wait!), and i have my terrarium, lightning, substrate and everything setup. But the humidity can’t get under 70 %. Is that okay for a northern, or if not, what could i do to get the humidity down? Thanks xx
70 should be just fine as long as the substrate isn’t wet. It gets really humid in the Northern Territory where they can be found in the wild. 👍🏼😁
And congrats on getting one of the world’s best lizard species! 👍🏼😁
im in the philippines which is also a very humid tropical country with almost the same climate as indonesia, would it be easier to care for an indonesian instead of an australian? still new to the whole reptile hobby thing (but very excited to be getting into it!) so sorry if its a dumb question. much love from over here by the way, your videos have helped me a lot as someone whos been interested in getting a blue tongue recently :))
Its definitely better to keep what fits your environment
New subscriber here. What would you say to keeping a halmahara BTS on reptisoil. Should I add some coco fiber and spagnam moss or should I just switch completely. The repti soil seems to hold humidity decently but id like to find a way to keep the humidity more consistent.
It will work with sphagnum moss mixed in for more substance
What humidity would you recommend for a Blotched bts ? thank
from what ive noticed that when my eastern is about to shed he will go and have a wash and then go rub over and under his rocks hell make sure his a bit damper than normal
Awesome observation. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t think you understand how use full people find you channel, personally you’ve helped me to an extreme extent of me learning about these amazing animals and my BTS is very happy because of you
That is so amazing to hear. I hope animals and keepers thrive even more! Woot!
What would my requirements be if I stimulated their brumation? Considering they'd be non active fir a few months
I can't get the humidity below 80% in my vivarium :( I'm getting my Northern at the end of the week and worried about the high humidity. The humidity in my area at the moment is 80%+ though so it's not like it's my vivariums fault is it? What can I do to try and lower the humidity? Maybe put a dehumidifier in my room?
Do you have a video on specific care and traits of an Indonesian halamahara skink?
I don’t really. I haven’t worked much with this type and may do a video on them in the future as a collaborative work with an experienced Halm keeper someday. 👍🏼😁
I wil admit for Leonard, I just check his belly scales and make sure they're not dry and then when he shows sign of shedding I put sphagnum moss in his cage to hold humidity.
I don't know if you'd still respond of a video this old but I have a big tank, 4ft×2ft×2ft, I've got tropic plants in there, bio soil and o spray it really regularly but the humidity only ever shoots up to about 70 and always drops to 50 and no matter what I do the humidity just does not hold, any tips?
I'm getting a northern bts soon and I'm a bit worried about the humidity. It's been very humid lately, around 70 to 80% in the house. My air conditioner can get it down to 60 but that's with keeping it on constantly. I know the humidity will go back down when it gets colder but should I invest in a dehumidifier anyway?
I wouldn’t worry as long as you have good ventilation
I’ve had a Merauke Blue Tongue for around 3 years now, I always struggle with keeping the humidity up, I’ve been considering getting a misting system for the tank, do you think it’ll help? I currently have him on a mixture of Eco Earth and Cypress Mulch, and I try to spray as often as I can and also have a lot of the top of the enclosure covered (not all to keep airflow) to prevent it from escaping but it still dries really quick.
I don’t wanna get a humidifier for the room because I also have Leopard Geckos who need it to be dry.
You may need to almost completely seal off the ventilation. A mister can work, however be sure you don't end up with wet substrate and dry air.
2 vids in 2 days?
I have a question: I know that Northerns don’t require humidity adjustments, but I live in Las Vegas. There is barely any humidity here and i’m a bit worried it won’t be ok. Will they be able to thrive still??
Yes! One of the best breeders is there. You may have to keep them on a substrate that can be misted and lightly spray them daily or every other but they should be fine.
Hi
What humidity would you recommend for Meraukes?
Thanks!
TweetyBirdies 80%
Do eastern blue tongue is needed humidity
Because my eastern seems to have a bad shed and has very dry belly scales
They can tolerate lower humidity however they do best at 30-50%. Not wet but not super dry. Dry belly scales is a sign of super dry substrate usually or dehydration. Dry using a substrate that will hold a tiny bit a moisture.
Is that cork wood in the enclosure? If so does it ever start to mould? Every wood I've introduced into the enclosure has started to mould after a while including the zoo med habba hut
Yep it is cork bark. The habba hut can sometimes mold as coconut can mold. But cork has anti molding properties. Cork is used by almost every dart frog keeper and in lots of high humidity enclosures worldwide so you should be fine using cork bark. 👍🏼
@@ReptileMountainTV thank you I honestly didn't know that which is why I always refrained from buying anymore wood hides for my skink since I found that little bit of mould, will definitely have to try some out now
Can you please answer this what happens when a bts has to high or too low humidity
Too high can cause respiratory and skin infections. Too low can cause dry cracked scales crusty eyes and respiratory issues.
Are those tanks the exo terra Large lows? How do you like them for blue tongues?
They are. They do well for smaller or less active individuals. However its difficult to get good top down heat from the distance for the larger BTS.
@@ReptileMountainTV Ok thank you! I recently got a halmahera and I was thinking about getting one for him since he's not crazy active. He's exactly 20" long from nose to tail.
I’ve got a 4 month northern BTS in a 20 gallon enclosure and he seems to be doing fine but I’m worried about my humidity. On my hot side I have 30-40% humidity and 60% on my cold side. Am I okay or should I get a de-humidifier on the cold side ?
You should be just fine. They can handle higher humidity well if ventilation is sufficient.
@@ReptileMountainTV I have a full screen top. Thanks for the response.
Am I able to just add the sphagnum moss into a rock hide I have? And if not what size tupperware would I need for an adult irian jaya?
If the rock hide is big enough for your skink then sure!
ReptileMountain.TV Thanks! Your videos are always so helpful!!
Hi I was wondering how long I can keep my halmahera out of its enclosure. (Due to humidity)
+Deaven Kim they will be fine for a day or so if need be but really not more than an hour a day and thats a ton of stimulating time for a little one.
ReptileMountain.TV oh one more question but how big do the halmaheras get? Are they on the smaller side?
Deaven Kim Im honestly not 100% sure. I know they aren’t as big as Northerns or Merauke BTS.
I have a Bintuni Blue Tongue Skink (Indonesian species) that I bought at an expo and I’m am trying to keep the humidity up. I have cypress mulch as the substrate and I am running a humidifier next to his tank and I’m spraying it daily but I still can only get to around 60% humidity. By the way, this is all because i live in New Jersey and it is winter so it’s dry. Should I get something like the Exo Terra Monsoon spraying system or just make a humid hide? This is my first reptile and I just want to make sure I don’t do anything wrong. Also, the breeder I got my skink from said it was a bintuni BTS, but I can’t find that species anywhere so I honestly don’t know what Indonesian species it is. Any ID advice?Thanks for answering all my questions this past week!! Sorry that there are so many.
For ID help easiest thing is to post a photo or two on one of the Facebook BTS groups. As for humidity the deeper the substrate the better. Are you using a digital hygrometer or a stick on? You should not have to spray more than 2 x a day. Have you covered the screen top nearly 75-85% with plastic/foil etc? Adding sphagnum moss will help hold humidity as well.
Thank You!! I am using a digital hygrometer
I spray my cypress mulch and I know that it is damp, but my zoo med hygrometer still says 40%. Maybe the hygrometer is faulty. It has gotten to the point where the cypress mulch is not damp but pretty much wet and it still says 40%. I’m not sure what to do because I don’t want to harm my skink with improper humidity. I’m going to pick up some sphagnum moss but should I get a new hygrometer?
Put it in a Tupperware with water and seal it. It should read 90%+ humidity. If it doesn’t then you know its not working.
Thank you for all your help, I’m a perfectionist when it comes to taking care of my items and pets so it does mean a lot to me!
Since the Merauke is a high humidity species, how long do you recommend handling the skink outside of the enclosure?
I recommend an hour max. Honestly they can be in a drier environment for a few hours since their native habitat has daily fluctuations of drier air but ideally the hour max is more for their stress levels. As far as humidity goes its prolonged dryness, 72 hrs plus that begins to cause irritation to the lungs and dehydration.
Ah okay. Thank you!
I have a indonision bluetoung in the night his humidity spikes to 95% is that something I need to worry about with him?
Nope thats great
Is it fine for an eastern and a northern to have humidity of 60% because that is my average humidity
That should be fine. Easterns just need to not be damp all the time.
What humidity would a northern X irian jaya Blue tongue skink need?
Gabi Bazan hmmm... I would try 60-70% total enclosure or 50% enclosure with a humid hide.
thank you!
I have a Indonesian blue tongue skink and he can’t open he’s eyes. I need help on figuring out what I need to do! Please please help me :(
My guess is increase humidity immediately. Email me photos. tc.houston@reptilemountain.com
What type of substrate is that?
Banana Cody cypress, coco fiber, sphagnum moss 1:1:1 mix
My humidity goes up to around 56% ish on the hot end of the enclosure when the temp is at basking temp, 95F , is this ok for a northern blue tongued skink?
Yep that sounds great!
ReptileMountain.TV oh great thank you :)
ReptileMountain.TV I've just received information from the breeder I got my skink from that he is not northern and he is actually Indonesian, what substrate will help to achieve the perfect humidity as I've tried a tropical terrain compact brick and the humidity in the morning was about 99% which I think is too high :/
A mix of cypress mulch, organic top soil, sphagnum moss and similar beddings work well. Check out my video on substrates.
ReptileMountain.TV I will do, thank you again
Not to be weird or anything but where in Colorado are you in?
+Morgan Gilliland Denver :-)
ReptileMountain.TV oh cool I am about an hour north from that. That's pretty cool.
+Morgan Gilliland nice!
Can I use peatmoss? or is there anything against it?
It can work fine. Sometimes it gets in the skinks nostrils and eyes but usually it’s fine.
@@ReptileMountainTV Thank you for the quick response! As the peatmoss holds humidity (and I pretty much use it successfully for any other plants and Praying Mantis) that's the reason of my question. If I manage to mix it with something else (preferably Spagnum Moss) or leave it at the bottom of the terrarium, do you think it might work? Getting Spagnum Moss is not that common in my country, or so I think.
I think that can work. It’s certainly worth a try.
What's the name of the hygrometer?
Vivarium Electronics TH-100
Thank you.
Why don’t you breed shingleback skinks?
Because I haven’t run across an extra $10,000 to $12,000 to buy a pair yet 🤪👍🏼
Is 70% humidity good for Indonesians
80
This subject is rediculous. The same guy in this video says 60 to 70 percent humidity in another video. Which is it. I live in Florida and outside of tubing these guys it is almost impossible to maintain 80 percent humidity. You just dont accomplish an all day humidity consistently at 80 degrees. My question is for this guy 60 to 70 or 80. Because you've said both. This humidity thing has been the most irritating part of owning a indo. And most people's enclosures I see there is no way they have it at 80 percent just from looking at the substrates.
First off my name is TC not “this guy.” This is my channel and I monitor the comments. Have some respect when commenting or you will lose your privilege to comment. As for your questions, it depends on the species for one, and it can actually vary for individual animals in some cases. Even humans can be affected by humidity in different ways. Halmahera type indos seem to do best at around 80% according to those who’ve been successful at keeping them. Many have found the classic indos do okay at 70%. Im not aware of me saying an Indonesian (Tiliqua gigas gigas) can be kept at 60% if I did that is my mistake. I don’t keep that species on purpose because humidity maintenance is a pain like you have stated. Thanks for watching. Have a great day.
@@ReptileMountainTV first off I love your channel. Second off I am referring to a merauke. Third I apologise if you were under the assumption that i was being disrespectful but yes in your video about merauke and northern you go into humidity and do say 60 to 70 aim for 70 and in this video say 80 percent throughout. You have no idea the stress I have been going through with this little guy. And just trying to get some kind of straight answer. But it's not your fault and personally I turn to your videos the most. I like your stuff. And I have a merauke which I am seeing success with him at around 60 to 70% with a 56% lowest with a humid hide.
That's fair. Thanks and sorry I got confused. So it sounds like you should be fine with what you've been able to achieve. A Merauke shouldn't truly need 80% and even 50% can be tolerated by them but ideally 60-70 for them. You're very best bet long term is to get a pvc enclosure as they hold humidity the best of all and you can still use UV and top down heat if desired. You will not be disappointed with a quality pvc set up. It will hold humidity very well.
@@ReptileMountainTV
Your the best man. Glad we got this all figured out. But thanks for the advice. Still a member and I believe I subscribed if I haven't I will. And I am super impressed you replied to me your the first person I have actually got anything back from. Great channel.