We know that the leopard geckos make a very suitable and good reptile pet. This is not only because they are attractive but also due to the reason that they can be handled easily.
Taking care of them is quite easy but it would not indicate that you can just buy one for yourself and everything will sort out. Before you get home a leopard gecko you need to do the research regarding them . This is because most of the people are unaware of their habits and do not Know how to treat them.
The owners can check out the videos on YouTube as well to get a more descriptive search and knowing the brief points regarding the essentials for your new pet.
Also, it is seen that most of the Leopard geckos owners do not know what sort of cage they should provide for their pet so that it can reside easily. So if you are reading this article you are going to know a lot of important regarding it as well as regarding the hides that you should have in the enclosure for your pet.
Contents
Humid hide for Leopard geckos
The owners usually think that the leopard geckos live in the desert so they would need only sand around them. Well, it is equally true that their habitat is in the desert but that does not mean that sand will be one of the best substrates for your pet. Along with this, leopard geckos are not only from the desert they come from Asia, Iran, India and many other places.
One of the natural habitat of the pet includes stone desert which means that the leopard geckos will get a lot of amazing hiding places there. Along with that the humidity in there is around 60-65% in the winter season but in the summers it is around 80%.
So there are a lot of hiding places for them that keep them humid and moist.
The temperature of the hide you are providing should be around 83-90 degrees F.
What is the requirements of a humid hide for a leopard gecko?
The leopard geckos need a wet, humid or you can say a moist hide in their enclosure or the habitat they live in. This is in order to regulate their temperatures. The hide box that you provide your per should be warm but you need to ensure that it should not be hot for them. Along with that you have to take care while making one hide for your pet you do not have to make it right under the basking lamp.
If you do so the moist substrate will dry out very quickly. Apart from this the hide is very essential for the Leopard geckos so that they can lay their eggs in the hide.
If you have a female gecko and you do not provide it with the required humid temperatures then it will surely lay unfertilized eggs. Also, it can become egg bound and might even lead to death of the leopard gecko.
If you do provide a moist hide then it is helpful for the shedding process as well.
Making humid hide for the Leopard geckos
There are a lot owners who would simply use the box or something like that to build the moist hide. But it would be too small for your pet. You need to make sure that the hide you build for your pet should be large enough that it can occupy two or even three leopard geckos. Along with that you can get a box from the market to create the moist hide for your pet.
Box is suitable because the humidity in it will remain optimum as required.
What type of humid hide box you can create?
While taking about the humid hides and what sort of these you can provide your pet, you should know that there are a lot pf options you can try. There are owners who try creating a humid hide with a Tupper Ware container as well, this is because humidity can be maintained in them.
Also, a micro climate would be perfect for your pet. You can add a substrate in order to maintain the humid of it. Also, you can keep a check on your pet by taking out the lid and seeing if it has laid eggs or not.
Along with that we see that there are a lot of Leopard gecko owners who have used a cave as well. The cave for your pet is easily available on the amazon.
This will be very easy to use and will suit perfectly for your leopard gecko. If you have a giant one then it will go perfectly well.
How to create humid hide?
Here we are going to discuss regarding the importance of the humid hides as well as the best ideas that you cab choose to create one for your et. Also, the best substrate for your pet will be discussed in this section.
We know that the leopard geckos need one moist hide for their habitat so that they can carry out with the essential activities. They will make use of this hide for regulating their body temperature as well as for shedding.
Some of the leopard geckos may even lay their eggs in the hides so you can add the hides in the enclosure you are providing them as it very warm and moist and useful for your pet.
Along with this one thing that the owners need to be aware of is that when you are creating hides for your pet you need a warm hide that is humid and moist, a cool and dry one as well as one which has medium range conditions between the other two hides. By doing this you are able to provide your pet vast options so that it can live freely and comfortably.
Placement of hide
Now, while you are creating the moist hide for your pet the most important question is where to place humid hide. The answer to this is that it should be in the warm side of the tank. If the owners place it in the cold side then it will affect the body of the Leopard gecko and it might face through respiratory issues.
You should have a under tank heater as well that you can place below the hide. This will increase the temperature of the hide and will provide warmth. If you do not want to use it you can even use the ceramic bulb and place it on the top of the tank it will also meet the requirements.
Also, while you are doing so make sure you are not buying the under tank heater that comes with an adhesive, this is because it will not be reused and therefore you would need another one if you are willing to change the position of it.
The users can even make use of the resistant tape in order to attach the lamp or the heater that they are using. Some of the heaters do not have adhesive or sticker so for that case you need to attach it by yourself. You can surely make use of the heat resistant tape for it.
Ideas for moist hide
Some of the best ideas that you can consider for making the moist hide are:
- The owners of Leopard geckos can purchase a commercial hideout. They can easily use it as a moist hide.
- A plastic container would also meet the needs of the moist hide.
- The plastic containers of ice cream and other similar stuff can also be used but to use them the users need to see that it should retain heat.
- In case if you haven’t set up the tank yet then you can make use of the one time use plastic dishes.
- You can make use of the glass box or any other fish that has a front opening.
Substrate for the Leopard geckos moist or humid hide:
While creating a moist hide the substrate is one of the most important things that you need to consider.
- Sphagnum moss: This moss or substrate is very useful because it is antimicrobial and holds moisture. One drawback of it might be that the users need to mix it with other substrate if they have a female leopard gecko.
It is to be washed once in a week or maybe in two weeks. Along with that the owners should replace it after 3 months.
- Paper towels: The owners who are choosing it as a substrate should know that it will not cause impaction and is the best. But it might not be suitable for the female leopard geckos as they lay eggs.
- Coconut fiber: It is natural and the geckos will love as they can dig in it. One risk of using it is that if it digested accidentally then it may lead to impaction. It is not the best but can be used. It should be replaced twice in a month.
Sphagnum moss
This moss or substrate is the best for the Leopard geckos and using them in their hide is the best idea. This is because of the reason that it is antimicrobial and will retain moisture for a long time.
These factors are important to consider while the users are planning to keep the humidity level stable in the tank. Also it will be preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. If high quality of this moss is used then it will prevent bad odor as well and it is not expensive either.
To use this the users need to place 2 inches of the sphagnum moss inside the hide. Also, it is to be sprayed with water. But you do not have to spray a lot pf water that it becomes wet and it should not be too dry as well.
If you place the moist or humid hide on the warm side of the tank then the water that you have sprayed will evaporate and it will help you gecko.
You might see that it is not too suitable if you are creating hide for a female leopard gecko. This is because they have to lay eggs and this moss will not provide optimum conditions for that purpose.
As a result the eggs might even stick to the container. You won’t be able to remove them as well. If your pet is laying eggs and you want to use this substrate then you can make use of another substrate such as coco fiber with it.
If you want to incubate the infertile eggs of your pet then for that you have to add another layer of a substrate at the bottom of the hide.
Also, the moss you are getting should not have pesticides in it.
You can simply wash the moss, and reuse it as well. One thing that you should keep in mind is that do not make use of hot water for that as it will kill the moss.
Also Read:
What to feed to leopard geckos?
Conclusion
Keep all the necessary things in mind while creating the moist hide for your pet. Make sure the conditions are optimum for the female leopard gecko as it has to lay eggs.
