Relative humidity in the terrarium

by **Lioth** Mon May 20, 2013 12:03 pm

Get a certain level of humidity

(1) Obtain a low humidity (< 50%)

The so-called desert specimens generally need a very low humidity. The objective therefore is to reduce as much as possible the humidity in the terrarium... To do this, we will use the following processes:

Focus minerals:

Organic materials (peat, wood, plants, mosses...) tend to retain moisture. Wherever possible, have therefore replace these organic elements not mineral elements: use sand as substrate, and it will take the rock rather than wood or plants to create hideouts and to decorate.

Create evaporation:

To evacuate moisture, to force the evaporation process, i.e. to help the water to pass from the liquid state to the gaseous state. To do this, place the heating of the terrarium (most often a lamp for desert specimens) in the crisper. As long as it works, heating internal course will dry out the air. And if the level of humidity back a bit during the night when the heating is off, don't panic: the same phenomenon may be observed in nature, when the Sun does not heat up enough to allow the air to evaporate.

Optimize the ventilation:

In order to allow a better evaporation of water to the outside of the terrarium, it must be properly ventilated... Be careful not to obstruct the ventilation grilles, assuming something on the terrarium for example. Other hand, never favouring aeration safety: a terrarium should always have a lid securely closed (with preferably a latch or a lock), and no specimen shall be able to go through the vents.

Do not leave standing water:

The desert scorpions are the water they need in their prey. It will leave them so no water available, so that it evaporates and should increase the rate of hyfrometrie. On the other hand, once a month, we can ensure the proper hydration of the specimens by spraying a little water at the bottom of a wall of the terrarium or dropping a piece of cloth moistened with water (from sopalin appropriate very well) on a stone.

(2) Obtain a high relative humidity (> 75%)

The so-called tropical specimens generally need a very high humidity. The objective is therefore to retain as much as possible the humidity in the terrarium... To do this, we will use the following processes:

Preferred Organics:

Organics tend to retain moisture. It will therefore use as much as possible: blonde peat completely gulp of water as substrate, wood or plants to create hideouts... Foam has the Faculty of particularly well to retain water once it is is gulp so don't hesitate to put in places on the substrate (after him have properly disinfected by boiling).

Moisten:

Retain moisture is one thing, but for the level of humidity does not fall too, must regularly ensure certain water supply. It therefore regularly vaporize inside of the terrarium (about once a week).

Prevent too much evaporation:

To avoid that the air is too dry, put the heating of the terrarium (most often a heating lamp for tropical specimens cord) outside the bin.

Prevent aeration:

To avoid too strong evaporation of water to the outside of the terrarium, must be that it is not too be aerated... It therefore Dennis a part of air vents, fixing waterproof plastic pieces in the cover of the terrarium for example (thick plastic bags will be the case). Attention do not completely block the ventilation: a renewal of air is necessary to prevent the proliferation of fungi.

Leave water available:

Tropical scorpions need much to hydrate: a small trough filled with water will be so left them available at all times (a jar CAP will do).

(3) Obtain a relative humidity average (50%<<75%)

Scorpions living more or less temperate climates do not necessarily require a humidity as high as tropical or as low as desert specimens specimens. And that is the most difficult, because maintaining an average rate of humidity is far from clear! Here are some tips to achieve this:

Mix the materials:

Organics tend to retain moisture. Is used so a little but not too much: blonde peat that can moisten only on the surface of wood which will allow the specimens to climb... Place also some stones which serve as hiding places. Foam has the Faculty of particularly well to retain water once it is full, it is good to put in a corner of the terrarium to create a somewhat more humid zone (after him have properly disinfected by boiling).

Moisten:

The level of humidity does not fall too, need regularly ensure certain water supply. It therefore regularly vaporize inside of the terrarium (about once a week).

Optimize the ventilation:

In order to avoid a too strong retention of moisture in the air of the terrarium, should it be well ventilated... Be careful not to obstruct the ventilation grilles, assuming something on the terrarium for example. Other hand, never favouring aeration safety: a terrarium should always have a lid securely closed (with preferably a latch or a lock), and no specimen shall be able to go through the vents.

Leave water available:

Scorpions living in temperate zones must hydrate little but regularly: a small trough filled with water will be so left them available at all times (a jar CAP will do).

Water, Yes, but... Which one?

A question that arises legitimately is to know what type of water give the scorpions. Most of the reptile generally try to reproduce as faithfully as possible the natural conditions of life of specimens that they maintiennes. Following this logic, here are some elements of response:

Steaming simulates rain, or rain water contains virtually no mineral... Spraying with demineralized water is therefore recommended: this is what comes closest 'natural' rain water. Water demineralized for irons ironing available in supermarkets will work perfectly (be careful that it is not perfumed).
The watering place simulates also rain water, but that is responsible for trace elements in contact with the ground... Bottled mineral water seems the best choice.

Overall, it is not recommended to use tap water, often treated with a large amount of chemicals to the uncertain effect on the specimens. If you decide about the same to use water from the tap, the minimum is to let decant: fill a bottle you will leave to rest a night without a plug.