Leopard geckos are desert-dwelling reptiles that thrive in warm, dry environments. If the humidity in your leopard gecko’s tank gets too high, it can lead to potentially life-threatening health issues.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about high humidity in leopard gecko enclosures, including signs of trouble, ideal humidity ranges, causes, and proven solutions to bring the moisture levels down.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Ideal humidity range for leopard geckos is 30-40%. High humidity above 50% leads to respiratory infections. Reduce humidity by using a screen top, avoiding moist substrates, adding ventilation, and using dehumidifiers.
Identifying the Signs of Excessively High Humidity
Visible Condensation on Tank Walls
One of the most obvious signs that the humidity in your leopard gecko’s tank is too high is visible condensation on the glass walls and lid. This condensation indicates the air inside the tank is saturated with moisture.
If left unchecked, this can lead to respiratory infections or scale rot due to the excess dampness. Try using a hygrometer to measure the exact humidity levels. Ideally, they should be 30-50% for leopard geckos.
Wet or Dark Substrate
Another clear sign of excessive humidity is a wet or dark substrate. Leopard gecko substrates like paper towels, reptile carpets, or coconut fiber substrates should never be soaked or overly damp. A humid hide is the only place that should have damp substrate.
Otherwise, the moisture can lead to scale rot on your leo’s belly from constant contact with wet bedding. Aim for a lightly moist, not soggy, substrate.
Labored Breathing or Respiratory Issues
If you notice your leopard gecko breathing with an open mouth or making wheezing sounds, it likely indicates a respiratory infection from high humidity. Labored breathing and mucus in the mouth are common symptoms. Left untreated, respiratory infections can be fatal to leopard geckos.
Take your leo to an exotic vet immediately if you notice any of these signs so they can provide antibiotics or other treatment.
Understanding Ideal Leopard Gecko Humidity Ranges
30-40% Humidity is Ideal
Leopard geckos originate from the deserts of Asia and Afghanistan, where the climate is hot and dry. In their natural habitat, the humidity levels range from 30-40%. This makes leopard geckos well-adapted to drier environments.
As pets, leopard geckos do best when the humidity inside their terrarium is kept between 30-40%. This creates an environment that is most similar to their native desert climate. Maintaining humidity in this range will help keep your leopard gecko healthy and comfortable.
Humidity levels that are too low (below 30%) can cause problems like stuck sheds, dehydration, and respiratory infections. On the other hand, too much humidity (above 40%) increases the risk of scale rot and respiratory infections.
Use a hygrometer placed inside your leo’s tank to monitor the humidity. Make adjustments as needed to keep the humidity within an optimal 30-40% range.
Over 50% is Too High
Humidity levels above 50% are considered too high for leopard geckos. Prolonged exposure to humidity levels over 50% will put your leo at risk for several health issues:
- Scale rot – This fungal infection causes the scales to become swollen, flakey, and irritated.
- Respiratory infection – Excess moisture can make it easier for harmful bacteria to grow, leading to respiratory infections.
- Shedding problems – Humidity over 50% causes the old skin to become too sticky, making it harder for your gecko to shed cleanly.
High humidity provides the warm, moist conditions that bacteria and fungi need to thrive. Since leopard geckos have adapted to dry desert environments, their bodies are not equipped to handle prolonged dampness.
Humidity above 50% also decreases the evaporation of moisture from your leopard gecko’s shed, causing it to remain stuck on the body. This can lead to patchy sheds that may impact vision, appetite, and mobility.
To summarize, humidity levels over 50% put your leo at an increased risk for fungal infections, respiratory issues, and stuck sheds. Aim to keep the humidity in the 30-40% range for optimal leopard gecko health.
Common Causes of High Humidity in Tanks
Lack of Ventilation from Solid Tank Lids
Many leopard gecko owners use solid glass or plastic lids on their habitat without realizing these can trap moisture inside. Water from misting, spilled water bowls, or wet substrate has no way to escape, allowing humidity levels to creep up over time (The Spruce Pets).
Switching to a mesh or wire topper lid improves airflow greatly. Just be sure the gaps are narrow enough your gecko cannot squeeze through.
Moist Substrates Like Eco Earth or Sphagnum Moss
While substrates like coconut fiber and moss seem like natural choices, their moisture-retaining properties cause problems for arid-loving leopard geckos. Swap out for calci-sand, terrarium carpet, paper towels or plain newspaper instead.
These dry substrates mimic the African grasslands leos come from.
A layer of moss in humid hides only can work. Just watch that moisture doesn’t spread tank-wide over time. Any soggy, dark sections need changing out promptly before mold grows.
Undersized Tank Relative to Gecko Size
Overcrowding a vivarium leads to accumulated waste and higher humidity. Adult leopard geckos need a minimum of 20 gallons of space, while juveiles can start in 10 gallons. But bigger is always better, so upgrade tank size as your pet grows.
The extra room dilutes humidity while providing more heat gradients to self-regulate (Reptile Guide).
| Leopard Gecko Size | Minimum Tank Size |
|---|---|
| Hatchling (under 6 months) | 10 gallons |
| 6-12 months juvenile | 20 gallons |
| Adult | 40+ gallons ideal |
Lack of Air Circulation in the Room
Stagnant air allows tank humidity to compound, while good room airflow whisks it away. Place your leo habitat somewhere breezy, or use fans to improve ventilation if needed. Keeping windows open works wonders too!
Proven Ways to Reduce Humidity
Switch to a Mesh or Screen Tank Lid
The most effective way to lower humidity in a leopard gecko tank is to switch out the solid glass or plastic lid for a mesh or screen cover. Mesh lids allow much more air exchange with the room and prevent moisture buildup. Just make sure the mesh holes are small enough that your gecko can’t escape!
Change to a Dry Substrate Like Paper Towels
Substrates like eco earth, moss, and coconut fiber tend to retain moisture and contribute to high humidity. Swap out the damp substrate for plain paper towels, which will stay dry and not add humidity. You can spot clean the paper towels as needed.
This is an easy, inexpensive fix for reducing humidity.
Add More Ventilation Holes to the Tank
If you have a glass tank, you can drill extra holes along the top to allow more airflow. Place the holes near the cool end of the tank to avoid excessive heat loss. Adding ventilation holes provides passive humidity control.
For safety, smooth any sharp edges and don’t make the holes so large your gecko can escape.
Use Tank Fans or a Dehumidifier
Small tank fans, available at pet stores, will actively circulate air and lower humidity. For very damp conditions, a dehumidifier in the room will remove moisture from the air before it enters the tank. Just monitor temperatures when using electrical devices to prevent chilling your gecko.
Spot Clean Instead of Full Tank Soaks
When cleaning the tank, avoid full soak disinfects which saturate the entire substrate. This spikes the humidity as the bedding dries out. Instead, spot clean waste and moist areas as needed to remove excess moisture.
Deep clean less frequently and when you do, allow the substrate to dry fully before returning your gecko.
When to Take Your Gecko to the Vet for Respiratory Issues
If Humidity Remains High Despite Changes
Leopard geckos require a very specific humidity range of 30-40% to stay healthy. If you notice signs of respiratory distress but have been unable to lower the humidity in their terrarium, it’s essential to take your gecko to an exotic veterinarian.
Lingering humidity issues can quickly become life-threatening if left unchecked.
Some symptoms that may indicate a respiratory infection from high humidity include:
- Labored breathing
- Wheezing or clicking sounds
- Discharge from the nostrils or mouth
- Lethargy or loss of appetite
An experienced reptile vet can provide antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and other supportive treatments to help fight off the infection. They may also recommend adjustments to your terrarium setup to help mitigate the humidity problems.
If Breathing Issues Persist for Over 48 Hours
Even minor respiratory signs like wheezing can quickly escalate to pneumonia or other complications. According to exotic pet care sites like ReptiFiles.com, if any breathing abnormalities last over 48 hours without improvement, veterinary care is urgently needed.
Delaying treatment allows the infection to advance, often requiring more aggressive medications with increased side effects. It also threatens permanent lung damage from fluid accumulation and scarring.
| Early Treatment Success Rate | Delayed Treatment Success Rate |
| 95% | 65% |
This table shows the marked difference in treatment success rates when respiratory infections are addressed quickly rather than allowing them to progress. At a certain point, the gecko may be too weak to fight off the infection even with medications.
If your reptile stops eating, seems lethargic, or has nostrils caked with discharge, get them seen right away rather than waiting. Catching respiratory issues early can mean the difference between a simple antibiotic regimen and intensive hospitalization.
Be sure to keep the veterinarian’s number saved in your phone and watch closely for any signs of sickness. Act quickly at the first hint of trouble breathing—your gecko will thank you!
Conclusion
In closing, monitoring and regulating humidity should be a key part of leopard gecko care. Letting moisture build up can quickly create serious respiratory problems. By using the right tank setup with ample airflow, avoiding damp substrates, and making humidity-lowering adjustments at the first signs of trouble, you can keep your gecko healthy.
Taking quick action when you spot high humidity will help prevent costly vet visits and keep your pet thriving for years to come.
