Quick Q - Construction paper...yay or nay?

[bethanboys]

Okay...odd question here...

My baby Leo does NOT like his humid hide. It's just a deli cup with paper towels in it and I spray it daily. Once a day but sometimes during a shed I spray it twice a day. He HAS used it before, but it's not his favorite spot and he doesn't stay in it long.
As a result, I've had to help him with two sheds the last two times...one was stuck on his eyelid and the other time it was on his toe still 24 hours later so I let him walk on wet papertowels and used a Qtip to rub the rest off.

I am thinking the problem MIGHT be that the deli cup hide feels to open and exposed. It's clear plastic and he likes dark, tight spots. His favorite spot to hang out is either in between the glass and his hot/dry hide or in the small space between the two TP rolls in his tank.

What about putting dark construction paper on his humid hide? I wonder though if that is toxic at all should he lick it? I've seen people use glued on plastic leaves before, but I don't have access to t hat right now and he's just starting another shed (in his hot/dry hide like usual). I also have some felt?? (Thinking kids craft supplies I have on hand here...hehe)

 

[CSgecko]

I found that mine woodnt use ther humid hide if it was clear. I use old mini butter containers and my geckos use them lots. I did have one problem tho with one of my hides so wat i did was take an old T-Shirt an cut out a strip and used tac glue to stick it to the hide. now i see at leest one of them in ther 24/7

 

[PaulSage]

I don't know if the dye is toxic, but if colored construction paper gets wet the dye will run and stain stuff that it touches, probably including the gecko.

(just ask my mom's old kitchen table)

If you have the deli cup upright, try flipping it over so that it's darker inside. Or you could switch to a small opaque Tupperware thingy or a clay pot with a notch chipped out for a door.

 

[Double LY]

My concern is like the others (dye will run, paper fall apart, stuff gets pooed on, etc.) What about gluing some artificial leaves/flowers on the outside? There are several threads on here with pictures of homemade hides that are really cute. The supplies just come from a dollar store. I have made a couple and now have one girl who never used a humid hide before that I have to pry out.