A leopard gecko humid hide is a small, enclosed hide lined with damp sphagnum moss that holds about 70 to 80% humidity while the rest of the tank stays dry at 30 to 40%. Your gecko uses it to loosen its skin before a shed, which prevents stuck shed on the toes and tail tip. Put it in the middle of the tank, between the warm and cool ends, keep the moss damp but not dripping, and swap the moss every two to four weeks. The Exo Terra Gecko Cave is the easiest one to buy, or you can make one in five minutes from a plastic tub.
Below are our humid hide picks, what to fill it with, where to put it, how to make your own, and what to do if your gecko won't use it.
Best humid hides for leopard geckos
| Pick | Why we like it | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall: Exo Terra Gecko Cave | Looks like natural rock, has a small entrance that holds moisture in, and a dish on top you can fill with water to keep the inside humid | Check price on Amazon |
| Best value: Zoo Med Repti Shelter 3-in-1 | Cheap, easy to wipe clean, and the removable lid makes it simple to check your gecko and change the moss | Check price on Amazon |
| Easiest to clean: ceramic reptile humid hide | Heavy, so your gecko can't push it around, and ceramic doesn't hold smells or stain. Many have a lift-off top | Check price on Amazon |
Whichever hide you pick, it should be big enough for your gecko to turn around in with its whole body inside, with one entrance just wider than its body. For an adult that is a hide about 6 to 8 inches long with a 2 inch (5 cm) entrance.
What to put in a humid hide
Sphagnum moss is the best lining. It holds water for days, rarely grows mould if you change it regularly, and doesn't stick to your gecko.
| Lining | Good or bad | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sphagnum moss | Best | Holds moisture well and is easy to wring out. See sphagnum moss on Amazon |
| Paper towel | Good | Cheap and easy to check for mould, but dries out within a day or two |
| Coconut fibre | Fine | Holds moisture, but can stick to your gecko and get swallowed with food |
| Sand or calcium sand | Avoid | Clumps when wet and sticks to the skin and eyes |
| Dyed or decorative moss | Avoid | Can carry dyes and is often too coarse to hold water |
Where to put the humid hide
A leopard gecko tank needs three hides: a warm hide over the heat source, a cool hide at the other end, and the humid hide in between. The middle is the best spot for it. On the hot end the moss dries out in a day, and at the far cool end the damp moss can get cold and clammy, which your gecko won't want to sit in.
Aim for 70 to 80% humidity inside the hide and 30 to 40% in the rest of the tank. You can check the hide with a digital hygrometer with a probe pushed into the entrance. Our leopard gecko humidity guide explains why the rest of the tank should stay dry, and the ReptiFiles temperature and humidity guide covers the same ranges in more depth.
How to make a humid hide for a leopard gecko
A homemade humid hide works as well as a bought one. You need a plastic food tub with a lid, about 6 x 4 inches for a juvenile or 8 x 6 inches for an adult, and a handful of sphagnum moss.
- Clean the tub. Wash it in hot water and peel off any labels.
- Cut the entrance. Cut a hole about 2 inches (5 cm) across in the lid or one side, near the top so the moss stays in. Use a craft knife or a hot knife.
- Smooth the edges. Sand the cut edge or cover it with electrical tape so it can't scratch your gecko.
- Wet the moss. Soak the sphagnum moss in clean water, then squeeze it until no more water drips out.
- Fill the hide. Add a layer of moss 1 to 2 inches deep. Leave enough room for your gecko to lie on top of it.
- Place it in the tank. Set it in the middle of the tank, between the warm and cool hides.
An opaque tub is better than a clear one, because geckos feel safer when they can't be seen. If you only have a clear tub, cover the outside with black paper or tape.
How to look after a humid hide
| Job | How often |
|---|---|
| Check the moss is damp and re-wet it if it is dry | Every 2 to 3 days |
| Remove poop and shed skin | As soon as you see it |
| Replace the moss and wash the hide in hot water | Every 2 to 4 weeks, or straight away if it smells or grows mould |
| Keep the moss extra damp | When your gecko's skin turns dull and pale before a shed |
The moss should feel like a wrung-out sponge. If water pools at the bottom or the walls are always running with drops, it is too wet. Constantly wet moss can cause skin infections and grows mould fast.
Why won't my leopard gecko use its humid hide?
Many leopard geckos only use the humid hide for a few days before each shed, so an empty hide most of the time is normal. If your gecko never goes in, or keeps getting stuck shed, check these:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Moss too wet | Wring it out until no water drips |
| Hide too cold | Move it closer to the warm end |
| Hide too small or entrance too tight | Use a bigger hide your gecko can turn around in |
| Hide is clear or too open | Use an opaque hide with one small entrance |
| Moss smells or has mould | Replace the moss and wash the hide |
| The warm hide is more comfortable | Make sure the humid hide is just as dark and snug |
Humid hides and shedding
Before a shed, your gecko's skin goes dull and pale, and it may hide more and eat less. This is when it needs the humid hide most. A good shed comes off in one or a few big pieces within a day, and most geckos eat their old skin. After each shed, check the toes, tail tip and around the eyes for leftover skin. Stuck shed on the toes can cut off blood flow and cost a toe.
If you find stuck shed, put your gecko in a shallow tub of lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes, or in a closed tub with damp paper towel, then gently roll the skin off with a damp cotton bud. Leave stuck skin around the eyes to a vet. Our guide to how often leopard geckos shed covers what a healthy shed looks like.
Leopard gecko humid hide FAQ
Do leopard geckos need a humid hide?
Yes. Leopard geckos live in a dry tank, but they need a damp spot to soften their skin before shedding. Without a humid hide, stuck shed on the toes and tail is much more common.
What do you put in a leopard gecko humid hide?
Damp sphagnum moss is best. Paper towel also works but dries out quickly. Avoid sand, which clumps when wet and sticks to your gecko.
Where should a leopard gecko humid hide go?
In the middle of the tank, between the warm hide and the cool hide. On the hot end the moss dries out too fast, and on the far cool end it can be too cold for your gecko to use.
What humidity should a leopard gecko humid hide be?
About 70 to 80% inside the hide. The rest of the tank should stay at about 30 to 40%.
How often should you wet a leopard gecko humid hide?
Check it every two to three days and re-wet the moss when it starts to dry. Replace the moss every two to four weeks, or sooner if it smells or grows mould.
Can a humid hide be too wet?
Yes. The moss should be damp, like a wrung-out sponge, not dripping. Soaking wet moss grows mould and can cause skin infections, and many geckos won't go in.
Setting up a new tank? See our leopard gecko starter kit checklist for everything else you need, and our heat mat guide for the warm hide.