RI in shingleback lizards

[napoleon]

hi,
im having a great deal of trouble keeping the humidity down in an indoor enclosure housing one male shingleback lizard! he has developed an RI and is on antibiotics but i cant get the humidity down below 30-40% which is obviously too high. He developed symptoms two days ago, has been diagnosed by a vet and subsequently medicated and he is still eating and defecating regularly. He is in a glass fronted wooden enclosure with a reptile globe and a basking lamp creating a warm and cool side. the enclosure has ventilation, but not much. would a fan help? we're located on the east coast so outdoor enclosures aren't really possible.
any information or tips on making his life easier would be greatly appreciated,
thankyou
kate

 

[cooper123]

is ur water bowel on the opposite side to the hot end

 

[napoleon]

i don't keep the water bowl in it at all. he drinks after being fed so there is never any water in the enclosure. i take all his poo etc out as well.

 

[Tsubakai]

Keeping him in an aircon'd room would help. Also try some moisture absorbers around/under the enclosure. You can get big refillable ones from hardware stores/bunnings.

Unfortunately its tough to keep the humidity lower when you live coastal.

 

[Blackdog]

Hi Kate,

40% humidity should be fine, so long as it doesn't go up too much at night when the basking lamp is off.
Check the humidity first thing in the morning, if its up use shredded paper as a hide for them - I one third fill ( to a height of about 30cm) the the cool end of an 8 foot tank with it and have had no problem with humidity since using it. I live on the Sunshine Coast and the relative humidity at the moment is pretty high, but the tank remains around 40-50% night and day, and the Shinglebacks are thriving.
Check other things as well, diet (should be 70-80% vegetables), basking spot temps etc.

Cheers
Mike.