whats the best way to make humidity

Question
i've been looking into green iguanas and i saw that the temp needs to be around 90 degrees but you also need around 70% humidity. so i was planning on making a mist machine but what's the cheapest way to do that? or do you have any other suggestions on bringing up the humidity?

Answer
Joseph,

Humidity is important, this is true. Without it, the iguana will have dry skin and it will not shed properly. When that happens, it can make the spikes so brittle they fall off as well. I guess to answer your question, I would need to know what type of enclosure you are planning. Would it be glass, metal wire, etc.? Glass terrariums hold heat and moisture in well. If it is a metal wire cage, it will be exposed to open air and humidity and heat will escape easier. Of course, you would want a screen on the top of the glass terrarium because you want to provide some ventilation.
Good ways to produce humidity are to:
Mist the iguana and the terrarium often either by hand with a water bottle mister or by purchasing and automatic misting machine such as Zoo Med's HabbaMist product.
Also, you will want to provide a large water basin for the iguana to soak its entire body in and this water will add humidity when the heat causes evaporation. Adding absorbant materials such as woodchips is also an option, but they can also become unsanitary by trapping moisture and bacteria.
These are the general methods for increasing / maintaining humidity levels. You may even want to consider a humidifier for the room the lizard will be housed in.

Sara J. Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA
www.RaptorRescue.org

"Proper Diet + UVB Radiation + Proper Temperatures + Set Daily Routine = Healthy + Happy Reptile"