Bearded dragons come from the dry, arid areas of the Australian outback. High humidity can be bad for a bearded dragon’s long term health. Therefore, bearded dragons require a low percentage of relative humidity.
Humidity levels within a bearded dragon habitat are extremely important. Relative humidity levels for a bearded dragon should be between 35 to 40 percent. Above all, this level closely mimics the humidity found in the wilderness of inland Australia.
Avoid using full glass or plastic covers on the enclosure for a bearded dragon. These covers will trap humidity within the terrarium.
Therefore, this can lead to higher humidity levels and possibly respiratory problems with a bearded dragon.
Provide Adequate Ventilation to Reduce Humidity Levels
Good ventilation of the enclosure is the best way to reduce humidity. A heavy-duty mesh wire screen cover works perfectly. In addition, good ventilation will do three things:
- Provide adequate air flow
- Supply fresh oxygen
- Allow humid air to escape
Make sure there is plenty of good air flow around the hide box and the basking area to prevent pockets of humid air.
The improved air flow will help reduce overall humidity within the terrarium.
Avoid Humidity Producing Items
Very large water dishes may increase humidity levels as the water evaporates. Use the smallest water dish possible.
Place the water dish away from the basking light to help reduce evaporation and humidity.
Avoid using bark, or coconut fiber substrates as they can retain moisture and raise humidity levels. In addition, the plants and decor in the terrarium can have an effect on humidity.
Use a dehumidifier in the room with the terrarium if you live in an area with high humidity levels.
Monitor Humidity Levels
It’s a good idea to place a humidity gauge within the bearded dragon terrarium set-up to monitor humidity levels. In other words, a good humidity gauge will tell you exactly what the levels are in your bearded dragon terrarium.
The only exception is the Coastal Bearded Dragon. These lizards live in the coastal regions and do well in slightly higher humidity. Therefore, relative humidity should not exceed 55 percent.
Katie says
I just put my dragon in a 60 gallon tank and can’t seem to get the humidity down. I don’t have very much water and I have all the same stuff as before. Any low cost hints?
zakk rodrigues says
I used a higher wattage day light source dried it up quickly, just allow more distance between light and beardys if it gets to hot
LYSSA says
We live on the east coast and found humidity control in our beardies tank to be an issue as well. We bought some plants that regulate humidity in the home like peace lily’s and reed ferns. This has helped reduce the humidity of the house there in reducing it in the cage as well. If the plants don’t help then the dehumidifier is the next step. Hope this helps. The plants are relatively cheep compared to hundreds of $ on a piece of equipment.
Terry Dunevant says
You can get a nice Dehumidifer for around 34.00 Amazon , works great
Abby says
Only keep the water in 20 min every hour for a few days and see if that works 🙂
lucky says
add a regular warm light bulb to heat the rest, just a suggestion
Zombae says
hey katie 🙂 to lower humidity in your bearded dragon’s terrarium, make sure his lamps are hot enough (90-100) and it’s really effective to have your ceiling fan or any fan on. The fan creates better airflow in the tank an will lower the humidity 🙂 you can also try moving the water bowl to the “cool” side of the tank, or take it out until the humidity goes down. also make sure there isnt anything in your tank that might be holding moisture, such as moss or some types of wooden sticks, etc.
the most important key is the fan to create air flow. (:
MIZRAIM says
Hi I read this and you said that to not wooden things I I bought one so he could climb it so If I take it out it should fix my problem
Nate says
Depending on the type of wood, yes. a good way to test if your piece of wood is holding any large amount of humidity is to first feel it. Is it smooth, and almost damp feeling? second is to squeeze the wood with your fingernails. now, this is dependent on the kind of wood, but most should be hard enough to not dent too much without holding water. third, and one of the easiest, put your humidity gage so close to the log so that it is touching it. if the level noticeably raises its probably not a good sign. Happy beardies!
nounou48 says
We just got a bearded dragon the humidity thermometer shows is 10%.is it good or bad?
Kaleb Mccubbin says
No your humidity level should be around 35 to 40%
Kaleb Mccubbin says
Also you could spray some water in the tank from a spray bottle.
Terry Dunevant says
Dont want to spray water if the dragons in the tank it can cause RI. u can put a small bowl of water in if trying to raise it;
Randy says
We have a baby beardie and the humidity is always to low 15 to 20%we spray it regularly and get it to 30 to 35% but it does not last long how can we keep it up
Mikey Mike says
Put a water bowl in it
MIZRAIM says
I got my tank and stuff from petco it was a kit I put everything the way I like it and Sunday I moved the tank to my room so at night the humidity was at 59% I’d that bad for the bearded dragon
Nate says
VERY. try moving him to the basement and try some of the things the others have said here to fix it but by all means get that beardy out of that room into somewhere more dry before he gets an URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) and starts coughing. URIs kill beardies fast if not professionally treated ASAP. Happy Beardies :3
Anthony Scotti says
What if the humidity levels are rising during the evening when the basking light and UV lights are off? I remove the water dish, have the evening light set to keep the temp at 75 to 80 degrees but I am still getting high humidity levels. Once the basking light and UV get turned on the humidity drops quickly. I am concerned about the levels at night. Thanks for any suggestions…..
Terry Dunevant says
Get a dehumidifier from Amazon its worth it . Should be between 30 and 40 in the tank
Terry dunevant says
Needs to be between 30 and 40 percent, over 50 can have issues with A RI , you can put a rice sock in the tank ,if u have loose sub strat I would remove it ,safer for your dragon in many ways.
Christopher says
Does the thermometer go inside or outside the tank and where would i put the humidity gauge in the tank.
Kita_DracosMom says
Inside, I placed one directly under basking light where my beardie sits and another on the cooler side. I put my humidity thermometer in the center of the tank
Mary says
I just got a yr male Dragon, just put him in 40 gal from a 10 gal. I can get the humidity above 19%. How can I raise it. I have the lights that he came with. But it is a bigger tank. Idess.
Mary says
Sorry it should be ,,,can not raise. To my comment
Kita_DracosMom says
Place a water bowl in the tank, try putting it closer to the basking side of the levels go to high move it to the cooler side
Terry Dunevant says
You are going to need to change the lights .a basking bulb 100 watt will work as well as a T5 uvb . no coil bulbs , I think this will help with the humidity
Mushu the bearded dragon says
I have a 20 gall tank and sprayed it humidity went up to almost 50 I know that very bad so I turned on the fan and turned on his basking light (it’s night time so I had it off) it worked is that a good solution?
Jessica says
What do I do if the humidity goes up past 50% at night when I turn the lights out? I don’t want to use colored bulbs. Should I get a ceramic heater? Will that make it too hot at night?
JW says
Get a Red heat bulb. It will help keep the humidity at a good level. I run red heat lamps for my two beards, my 2 ball pythons as well as my corn snake. NO humidity issues day or night. If you run a Red lamp make sure during the day you have a day light bright enough to over power the red light so you can regulate day and night.
Rebecca says
Red bulbs are bad for their eyes!
ANDREW S DEBES says
A ceramic heat emitter is a better choice for a night time heat source.
Terry dunevant says
You should never use a red bulb for a bearded dragon or colored bulbs . They have a third eye and colored lights keep them from resting correctly. It can also make them aggressive and aggetvated. Complete darkness at night ,if your house falls below 65 add a Che heater heat but no light
Terry dunevant says
The ceramic heater is if your house falls below 65 at night they need to cool down at night . The humidity can go up at night
Simon Espley says
Hello can you help me please my humidity level is 46% i have moved all damp object’s including water turned my heat up between 100 – 108f and now have a fan going to stir the air Luckily my vivarium as a lift up lid which as helped by leaving open can not see how it;s not got the max ventilation. My problem is how do i reduce humidity anymore please and also if i put water in it will make it to high so how do i let them drink any ideas thanks.
lucky says
Extra lighting, would help reduce humidity and keep the water. A heating pad under the tank and no sand but you can buy the ceramic tiles to keep the warmth for the cage and reptile. That will keep humidity out.
lucky says
Check both temperature and humid
Allen says
The humidity in my Beardies tank is 70% and I now that is extremely bad. I have a very small water bowl and the basking light is between 85º and 95º. PLEASE HELP ME. I don’t know what to do. The substrate of her tank is alfalfa. Does that hold in a lot of humidity? Do I need to change it? Please answer ASAP!
Krista says
I have tris exact same situation and would love guidance. We had a beardie die after just a few months in this tank but our other one in a separate tank is doing great with lower humidity levels.
Shantora says
I just got a baby bearde and his tank is a 20 gal and the light is 75 watts I can’t get the humidity right plz help
brittney says
I got a baby dragon and its humidity stays between 35 to 50 % I can get it to stay at 35 to 40 percent itsin a 10 gal glass tank with heated rock and baskin lights during the day but at night I have a night heatinglight and it saty just right and the temp reads no lower then 81.6 how can I lower the humidity during the day?
Angela says
You need to remove the heat rock, they can’t regulate the temperature on their bellies and the rock can burn them without them knowing it. Not a good situation
Jett says
I got a one yo Beardie and a 70 gal tank and the humidity stays from 65 to 75. I’m worried about my dragon
Karma says
Hello!
I have a bearded dragon in a 40 gallan and the humidity level is 40-50 and i have the large bowl from zoo med 40 gallan tank kit! How do i get it to 30-40? And where it will stay that way? Thank you for your help!
Kaleb Mccubbin says
I accidentally put water filled sticks in my aquarium while remodeling and my humidity is in the 90s! How do I lower it fast!!!???!
Panda says
Is 50% percent humidity bad? His tanks hot side is at 85°f it’s only because my room doesn’t hold heat very well BUT he’s had no health issues and digests his food and always a nice bright color (no stress marks or black beard)
Alligator says
I live in nyc and the humidity is bad here. The temperature in my beardies tank is crazy high and I’m very scared. I bought a small air conditioner for my dog and I have it plugged up a few feet away from my beardie to try to regulate the temperature of the tank. There are times where its so hot my mom turns off the light because it makes it worse. I don’t have and cant afford a dehumidifier and I don’t know what to do to immediately get the tank humidity down please help! What can I remove or move to get the humidity to go down? Please help!
Silvia says
We have a baby beardie and a 40 gallon tank. The basking side humidity is close to 40 but the cool side is in the 60’s. We’ve blocked off the cool side because the pet lady said he should have a smaller tank until he gets bigger.
How can I regulate the temperature for the whole tank?
I’m worried because he hasn’t eaten all day.