substrate

[geckogirl]

I just got a cresty a few weeks ago and have been using paper towel as a substrate but it doesn't really hold moisture or keep up humidity and I'm worried its not humid enough. What are the best substrates? My cresty is only like 4 inches total snout to tip of tail. I don't feed live crickets, I feed canned crickets in a food dish, so I don't have to worry about lost crickets. How humid does it really need to be? I like how easy paper towel is to change and keep clean.

[CDN-Cresties]

I keep my humidity between 60-75% and if I notice they are in shed I mist just a bit extra. BTW I also use paper towel or newspaper.

[Siretsap]

We keep our baby cresties on scott towel. The adults are on earth substrate and others are on coconut mulch, not sure the proper name, but it's the bricks you put in water and they increase in volume...

[HeatherRose]

I keep my babies on paper towel too. With frequent misting, you should be able to keep the humidity at the appropriate numbers. Does the crestie actually eat the canned crickets?

[Brock]

Moss is the answer. You need a few inches of substrate that holds moisture very well, put however much in you need for the plants to be rooted properly, I opt for a coconut fiber+peat moss+tropical plant mix (without the pearlite)+charcoal. You'll want to look around for the best moss, try to get Java moss, I'd recommend speaking with Mark Pepper at http://www.understoryenterprises.com He's the Canadian guru of dart frogs, and thus a master vivarium maker. Java moss and pillow moss are the best ones to use, and if you're breeding, just keep a space open with no moss covering the soil, and hopefully the female(s) will lay there.

Moss is my favourite, it looks so good and is usually the most natural choice for tropical herps.

-Brock

[Tigergenesis]

i have my baby in a Kritter Keeper with Jungle Mix Lizard Litter as substrate. Holds humidity well. :)

[ChokeOnSmoke]

I use paper towel in all of mine. I just spray them twice a day. I have used peat before but I wouldn't if your crestie is only 4 inches.

[Bartman]

I keep my guys on Eco Earth, which is also sometimes referred to as coconut fibre. Holds humidity amazing for mine tanks :)