Leopard geckos are desert animals, so they need a fairly dry environment to stay healthy. Ideal daytime humidity will be between 30%-40%, which should match the humidity naturally in your home. Housing your gecko in a terrarium with a screen top or equivalent ventilation will help keep it dry. However, occasional spikes higher than this are perfectly safe as long as the enclosure is well-ventilated.



PRO TIP: Keep tabs on air (not surface) temperature and humidity with a digital probe thermometer/hygrometer combo device.



That being said, leos do need higher humidity for shedding. In fact, shedding problems are the #1 most common health problem experienced with leopard geckos. Instead of bumping up humidity in the whole enclosure (which can actually make your gecko sick), provide a humid hide lined with moistened substrate and placed in the middle to cool end of the enclosure. The humid hide should provide humidity levels between 70-80%.

Avoid using moistened sphagnum moss or shredded paper towels in your gecko’s humid hide, as these have been known to be accidentally ingested and cause intestinal blockage.