Screen top cages are a popular choice for small animals because they have plenty of space and can be easily cleaned. However, since they are open at the top, they are not efficient at retaining moisture.
Since reptiles are cold-blooded animals, they require external heat sources to stay warm. Hence, keeping humidity levels high in their cages is important.
This article will talk about the best ways to keep humidity in a screen top cage and how you can control it. Let’s get started.
What Is a Screen Top Cage?
A screen-top cage is an enclosure used to house reptiles and other small animals. It is made with a metal or plastic frame and has a screen top or one that covers the entire cage. The cage is typically tall and narrow, and the screen top allows for ventilation and visibility.
Screen top cages are often used for reptiles that require high humidity, as the screen top allows for air to circulate while still trapping moisture inside.
Ventilation is essential for keeping your pet healthy and comfortable, and a screen-top cage provides much better ventilation than a solid-top cage. The screen top also allows more natural light to enter the cage, vital for your pet’s health and well-being.
And lastly, the screen top makes it easier for you to interact with your pet and give them the attention they need.
How To Keep Humidity in A Screen Top Cage?
Are you having trouble keeping humidity levels up in your screen-top cage? Humidity is important for pets as it helps keep their respiratory system healthy.
Not to mention, a lack of humidity can cause your pets to become dry and brittle. Here is a complete step-by-step guide on keeping humidity in a screen-top cage.
What You Need?
- Water Spray
- Water Bowl
- Moisture Absorbent Substrate
1 – Decrease Ventilation
While it is essential to keep the cage ventilated, too much ventilation will allow moisture to easily escape the cage and reduce overall humidity. In a screen-top cage, the chances are way higher.
This is why reducing ventilation to an extent is okay to maintain appropriate humidity levels. You can do this by covering the exposed area with waterproof materials like plexiglass or wood.
Note: It is a good idea to cover half of the area to start and then adjust the positioning as necessary when you have reached consistent levels you are happy with.
2 – Water Spray
The next step is to adjust the humidity levels according to your pet’s needs. If you are having a hard time getting the humidity levels to where they should be, try spraying water or misting the cage regularly.
It can help increase the levels of moisture in the air. If you are not sure what the humidity levels should be, you need to do your species-specific research along with a hygrometer (amazon link – opens in a new tab).
3 – Water Dish
Next, place a larger water bowl in your screen-top cage than what you previously had in there. This bowl of water should continue to be filled with fresh water each day.
This larger dish will also help release moisture in the cage and increase the overall humidity, creating the ideal environment for your reptile.
4 – Moisture Retaining Substrate
The substrate used in the cage can affect the humidity levels to a certain extent. A dry substrate like newspapers, sand, or shavings might lower humidity.
It is better to use an absorbent material like orchid bark or commercially available substrates designed to keep the humidity levels in check.
5 – Plants
Humidity is an important part of a reptile’s environment, and it can be difficult to keep. The amount of humidity that a plant will add to an environment depends on the type of plant, the size of the plant, and the environmental conditions.
Larger plants with a lot of leaves will produce more humidity than smaller plants with few leaves. Plants that are grown in wet or humid environments will add more humidity to an area than those that are grown in dry environments.
Conclusion
Humidity is an important part of a reptile’s environment, and it can be difficult to keep humidity levels high in a screen-top cage. There are several ways to increase the humidity in your pet’s home, including using a spray mist bottle, moisture-retaining substrate, a larger water bowl, and decreasing ventilation.
All of these methods will help keep humidity levels high in your screen top cage, but the most important factor is to continue misting often. The more you mist, the more humid the environment will be. Make sure to monitor the humidity levels regularly and adjust your methods as needed.
By following these tips, you can help create a healthy environment for your reptile and ensure that they stay happy and healthy.
Reptile Wrestler Tips!
“Increasing the diameter of the water dish can work wonders!”
“Make sure that you have a hygrometer in your tank – otherwise, you won’t even know what the humidity levels are!”
“Keep your screen top cage away from doors and windows to ensure that the airflow around the cage stays reasonably stable!”
“Ensure you keep your spray mist bottle handy; this is the quickest and easiest solution but depending on the environment, you may have to do it often!”
FAQ’s
How do I keep the humidity up in my screen-top terrarium?
There are a few things you can do to increase the humidity in your screen-top terrarium. One is to place a water dish in the terrarium and make sure it’s big enough for the animals to soak in. Another is to mist the animals and plants regularly. And finally, you can use a humidifier to create a more humid environment overall.
How do I keep the humidity in my mesh top tank?
First, you can try using a humidifier. You can also try placing the tank on a pebble tray or in a terrarium. Finally, you can mist the tank regularly with water. All of these methods will help to keep the humidity in your tank at an optimal level.
Do plants increase humidity in a screen-top cage?
In general, plants will release water vapor (humidity) into the air. This water vapor can help increase the humidity level in a room or enclosure. However, if the surrounding environment is already humid, adding plants may not have much of an effect on humidity levels.
Does ventilation in mesh top cages cause humidity to drop?
If the screen-top cage is well-ventilated, then some of the released water vapor may be carried away from the cage and into the surrounding environment, rather than being absorbed by plants and increasing humidity levels.
About Me
Hi, I’m Stuart and I’ve had reptiles for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I studied for a master’s in Herpetology. Over the years I have worked at several zoos before opening my very own reptile sanctuary. In my spare time, I run this website – which is a resource for people who want to learn more about their little beasties.
