Finding bearded dragon humidity 70 at night can be concerning for all responsible & caring owners. Not only does it affect the environment & comfort zone of your pet living in the tank and its health condition when high humidity issues persist.
We all know that deviation in humidity ranges can be detrimental for bearded dragons. Hence, When it comes to owning a bearded dragon, most beginners complain about finding bearded dragon humidity too high at night.
When I started my journey, I had the perfect humidity for my beardies, but then boom. When I checked back at night, the humidity went right up, making the whole tank setup uncomfortable & stressful for my pets. I had to react & find out the actual culprit behind the sudden increase in humidity.
If you are also looking to know what to do after finding bearded dragon humidity 60-70 at night, then you are in the right place. Here, we will first talk about ‘Is 70 humidity bad for bearded dragons?’ and, if yes, what results in bearded dragon humidity 70 at night and what you can do about it.
Read this guide thoroughly because you need to be quick with immediate action to resolve high humidity level issues in bearded dragon tanks because this species hails from a warm environment of deserts, savannas, & heathlands, which usually have low humidity. So, without wasting time, let’s first find out ‘Is 70 humidity bad’? And, if yes, what are the reasons for bearded dragon 70 humidity at night?
Is 70 Humidity Bad?
Yes, 70 humidity level is extremely bad for bearded dragons because it may result in respiratory issues or sometimes interfere with digestion too. High humidity often results from something holding moisture at your bearded dragon tank setup. First, find out what could be holding the moisture in the tank to lower the humidity level in your bearded dragon setup.
Sometimes, the hygrometer or any other type you used also malfunctions and gives an inaccurate reading. So, it would be best if you first rechecked the humidity level inside your bearded dragon tank with a different hygrometer you have. However, if you notice any of the following signs, the humidity levels are indeed too high for your beardies:
- Tank’s Glass Is Foggy
- Warm Atmosphere In The Tank.
- Musty Odour Coming Out Of Vent Opening/gaps.
Click here to find out: How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Live In High Humidity?
Bearded Dragon Humidity 70 At Night: Why?
Sometimes, it’s common to find bearded dragon humidity too high, especially at night when lights are off, and the tank’s humidity returns to the ambient room humidity. If you find a 70% humidity level on occasion, it’s fine. But constant levels of that much humidity can be detrimental to your bearded dragon’s health.
Before you try to fix the issue, find the cause of the extra moisture. Do you have any water bowls in your bearded dragon tank? If yes, you should check the placement of the water bowl. I usually remove the water dishes from my beardies’ setup at night.
Water bowl, at the wrong side, also affects daytime humidity, exceeding 40%, up to 50. That reminds me of a guide I shared a few days back on “Is 50 Humidity Too High For Bearded Dragon?” because a few owners were curious to know this but often get confused by the varying opinions of others or forum debates. Coming back to the point!
Also, check whether you switched off the heating lamps. Humidity at night always spikes when heating sources are off, which isn’t an issue because the bearded dragon must sleep well, and the light must be off for approximately 10-12 hours.
With that said, a valid question to consider: “Do Bearded Dragons Need Humidity At Night?” Absolutely!. Experts unanimously recommend letting it match the room’s ambient humidity at night or sticking to the recommended RH. If you don’t know what humidity should bearded dragons have, target 30-40% humidity for bearded dragon enclosure.
Also, you should ensure the temperature never drops below 65, especially at night. The only time to get worried is when the humidity stays constantly high for a long period. I am giving nine possible causes for bearded dragon humidity 70 at night and their solutions below.
Bearded Dragon Humidity 60-70%: 9 Reason With Solutions
#1. Substrate
Suppose you have checked my other article on the high humidity issue in bearded dragon tanks. In that case, you already know that certain substrates are known to increase the humidity by retaining moisture. The typical culprits or substrates that most beginner people choose because of convenience includes: bark and coconut materials.
I’m not saying that you should hold back and avoid these substrate materials entirely. It would help to stop using moisture-absorbing materials when high humidity is a recurring problem, especially in your region.
Seasonal changes or certain weather influences the temperature and humidity of the beardies’ tank and the ambient room. If you prioritize & care about your pet’s health, do thorough research before deciding on their enclosure or its environment.
Some of the poor choices for the bearded dragon tank’s substrate include:
- Soil
- Grass
- Leaves
- Wood Bark
- Coconut Sheddings
Note: The key to maintaining the right RH that doesn’t cause undesirable fluctuations lies in choosing the perfect bearded dragon substrate mix with the right depth.
What To Do?
I have been using newspaper as a substrate for my beardies’ tank setup because it’s easy to find and often cheap. You can also use any other paper product because they require minimal maintenance & cost.
#2. Temperature Drop
At night, sudden temperature drops cause the humidity to shoot up inside the tank and its ambient room. There is a huge possibility that a sudden drop in temperature is the culprit.
Check the thermostat first because the cooler temperature will prevent the air from holding the same level of moisture that it did during the daytime, resulting in higher relative humidity.
What To Do?
On occasion, like seasonal changes, you might find the humidity shooting up to 70 at night, which is pretty high for bearded dragons. Consider turning the heat back up to decrease the relative humidity again.
You can also consider installing a dehumidifier, which automatically lowers the humidity when it tries to shoot up at night. Adjust the settings as instructed, & tailor it as required to avoid causing bearded dragon humidity too low, like 20-30%.
For the question “Is 20 Humidity Too Low For Bearded Dragon?”, the answer is yes. This low Rh results in dehydration & many other complications discussed here.
To sidestep potential problems, particularly during your vacation while your beardie is at home with a dehumidifier, a moist hide is a must. Without wondering, “Do Bearded Dragons Need A Humid Hide?” purchase one, considering the myriad benefits we’ve highlighted here.
#3. Inadequate Ventilation
Airflow is directly related to the humidity level inside any room or tank. If there is inadequate ventilation, the air circulation will be limited, causing the humidity to shoot up.
Adding ventilation to its wall can be difficult if you have used a glass tank for your bearded dragon. I’ve extensively covered this strategy in my guide titled: I extensively cover this topic in my guide titled “How To Decrease Humidity In Bearded Dragon Tank? (11 Proven Ways)”.
What To Do?
Firstly, use a proper air screen or wire mesh for adequate ventilation. If enough airflow is inside the tank, the humidity will level out, getting closer to the room where the tank is kept.
Alternatively, consider turning on a fan or AC to increase airflow, especially when your bearded dragon’s habitat comprises glass. Opening the room windows may also help reduce the humidity level. You can also relocate the tank to a different room where airflow is better or AC is installed.
#4. Water Bowl Near Heat Sources
As I told you in the beginning, any water dishes near the heating sources or beneath the UVB lamp will result in quick evaporation, and the water droplets suspended in the air will add up to the total humidity of the tank.
This approach benefits fellows looking for “How To Add Humidity To Bearded Dragon Tank.” But for people looking to manage bearded dragon night humidity, placing water bowls on the hotter side of the time and near heating sources must be avoided.
What To Do?
Firstly, check whether it is 70% humidity at night only or if it also occurs in the daytime. If the 70% humidity in a bearded dragon tank is constant for an extended period, I will advise you first to reduce the size of the water bowl inside the tank and keep it on the cooler end.
Also, you need to remove the water bowl or any other water sources from the tank before turning off the lights at night to keep the humidity under control.
#5. Seasonal Changes
Undoubtedly, the humidity inside any bearded dragon enclosure can be exacerbated by climate. You should reevaluate your tank setup if you live in an area with sudden temperature changes or seasonal fluctuations multiple times a year.
What To Do?
The best thing to do here is to install a proper dehumidifier in the tank. Even though many experts suggest that the bearded dragon dehumidifier is completely unnecessary, you still get the upper hand over humidity control during seasonal changes or sudden temperature fluctuations.
Hence, look for a specific, inexpensive, reliable mini dehumidifier for reptiles like EVA dry dehumidifier and install it in the beardies’ tank.
#6. Hygrometer Misplacement
Your hygrometer may have malfunctioned or been misplaced. From the cool end of the tank to the hot end, the placement of the hygrometer can make a huge difference in the humidity reading.
Even though experts suggest installing two hygrometers at least, I recommend three as a backup: one installed in the center, one on the hottest side, and one on the cooler side, which gives me accurate & easy visual reading. In the market, you will find two different types of humidity gauges:
The first is analog hygrometers, which come without probes or batteries, making them installable & placeable directly in the tank setup.
The second is digital hygrometers which come with a Probe that you can place directly on the spot, which needs to be measured. Also, it comes with a huge display for easy reading but requires a battery.
What To Do?
You should buy both types of hydrometers: 2 digital ones and one analog hygrometer. Install one on the hotter end & one on the cooler end.
Also, make sure to have extra gauges that can be installed in the center. Having an analog always gives you a backup and an easy way to pick up on any discrepancy in reading accuracy quickly.
When installing the digital hygrometers, avoid placing their proofs near heating sources, corners with limited air circulation, or over live plants.
Because of the exaggerated level of water vapor in this area, this may give an inaccurate reading.
Also, make sure to prevent probes from dangling down, and consider placing them against the wall or accessories to prevent them from getting chewed or eaten by a curious beard.
#7. Too Frequent Misting
One of the essential parts of a bearded dragon tank’s care is misting it and its decoration properly to help mimic the natural environment in the enclosure for the species. When you mist a bearded dragon tank, the humidity level rises to 90-100. Depending on your setup, it returns to an ideal range within a few minutes or even hours. Since misting the tank directly impacts its humidity level, you should avoid spraying too much.
What To Do?
If spraying or misting too much water, you must stop immediately. It would help to mist the tank when the humidity was below 30%. It’s a good idea to stop misting your bearded dragon tank at night and before sunset to prevent humidity from rising to 67.
#8. AC
If the ambient room where the tank has been kept has AC installed, you need to know a few things.
Turning on the AC to cool the room also decreases the tank’s humidity. Yes, you heard it right. Keeping the AC ON for an extended period results in a significant drop in temperature and humidity inside the tank.
What To Do?
If the humidity is 70 at night for bearded dragons, consider turning on the AC for a couple of hours to decrease humidity in the tank.
However, make sure to monitor temperature, as AC may interfere fairly with it, too. You don’t want the temperature to drop below 65°F, as I suggested above.
#9. Live Plant
Another area that needs your attention is decorating your bearded dragon’s tank. Instead of artificial plants, people like to use live plants to decorate their reptile enclosure instead of artificial plants. Live plants need regular watering, which means they will hold back moisture for extended periods, affecting the humidity level inside the tank as well.
Live plants can also be the culprit of bearded dragon 70 humidity at night because they release moisture in the tank through transpiration, especially when placed beneath heating sources or on the hotter side of the tank.
What To Do?
The best thing to do is relocate the plants from one spot to another in the tank. Or, you can also remove live plants altogether until you find a permanent solution for controlling the humidity at night, like I did with dehumidifiers.
What If Bearded Dragon Humidity 70 At Night Continues Or Remain Constant?
Respiratory Diseases
Pneumonia is a common respiratory issue of beardies that develops under humid conditions. Keeping them in high humidity will result in Respiratory Infection.
Skin Condition
Also, skin conditions like YFD or similar are caused by excess moisture in beardies’ space. Keeping them at high humidity, like 60-70 or over, will cause the skin to fall off.
Bacterial and fungal Infection
Vet suggests yellow fungus disease is common in captive beardies due to high humidity. High humidity creates a favorable condition for bacterial & fungal growth, like YFD.
Mold Growth
A humid environment is favorable for bacteria & fungi and the rapid growth of mold. Stagnant air rapidly accelerates mold, bacteria & fungus growth in confined spaces.
Ulcerative Or Necrotic Dermatitis
Scale rot, or ulcerative dermatitis, is often seen in beardies living in severely humid conditions. Sometimes, this Infection also develops in stressed beardies who use a humid hide for an extended period daily.
5 Care Tips For A Bearded Dragon At Night
- Never use white lights at night as it disturb our beardies’ sleep patterns.
- Before it gets dark, always clean and remove uneaten food from their enclosure.
- Before feeding live insects to bearded dragons, always gut load these critters.
- Maintain a proper ambient temperature of 65-75°F at night for beardies.
- Since heating lamps will be off at night, get under tank heat mats or ceramic heat emitters for your pet to get a cozy sleep.
Conclusion
At first, you might feel overwhelmed by finding 70 bearded dragon humidity at night, but don’t worry. One of the causes of the solution above is likely to be your fix, too. Since each pet is different with a unique tank setup, only some of the options above will suit your pet’s setting.
If you need clarification about where to start or what to do for your bearded dragon in high humidity at night, contact me from the contact form below. At least once a week, check your current setup and make any required adjustments to make it as effective as possible.
If you find this article helpful, fun, and informative, please share it with other bearded dragon owners suffering from it. Every pet deserves a responsible, well-informed, and caring person for the best life. Your one share may be helpful for hundreds of bearded dragons living in high-humidity conditions at night. Informing other beardies’ owners is the best thing we can do for our reptilian friends.
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