Quote Originally Posted by bshmerlie View Post
Andaroo- I'm not sure why you are suggesting that Red Eyes would do well in such a dry environment. All Red Eyes come from a Tropical Rainforest that is why they are the "poster child" for the Rainforest. Tropical rainforests rarely drop below 70 percent and that is the dry season. The average humidity in a "tropical rainforest" is around 75-80 percent. Remember they are getting 100-400 inches of rain per year which would definately be more than the 50 percent humidity that you are suggesting that these frogs be kept at. If they could thrive in a lower humidity enviroment they would mirgrate to dryer areas as there normal range? But if I'm not mistaken I believe that Red Eyes are just found in the tropical rainforest. Even temperate rainforest don't go below 60 percent humidity. Thus the "rain" forest aspect.
Cheri
Think about this Cheri,

In the rainforest they are in the trees about 60+ feet above the ground where it is not as humid. They only go lower to breed. Keeping them in a terrarium is obviously no were near the same as the wild, therefore the humidity should be lowered as they are in a much smaller enviroment with ALOT less ventilation and fresh air. In the wild they would have the humidity but the air wouldn't be stagnant and bacteria wouldn't build up.

They can hold alot of water in their skin so with a nightly visit to a fresh water bowl they can get any moisture lost from being kept in a drier condition. I had one that i was treating with baytril (which dries out the skin considerably to the point where it looks crinkly) plus kept it in dry conditions and it was fine after a long soak in the water. Think of it this way what is better absorbing moisture from stagnant air brought on by misting the tank or absorbing moisture from a fresh water bowl?

I have kept mine this why and know of other breeders who have done so for over 20 years with no ill effects, the ill effects actually come from keeping them at higher humiditys. The higher humiditys in a tank keep them stuck in the breeding season which is stressful on their bodies.

I believe that the only frogs that need higher humiditys are dart frogs and ground dwelling frogs as they don't leave the forest floor.