Types Of Humidified Shelters:

• Small plastic storage containers with a hole cut out of one side and lined with a substrate that is kept slightly moist.
  
  
• Clay shelters that have been soaked in water for over an hour, lined with a substrate that is kept slightly moist.  Be careful though using a technique like this as bacteria and mold can develop quickly!
  
  
• A wide variety of commercial shelters lined with a substrate that is kept slightly moist.
  
  
• The surface area of the inside of the shelter should allow the condensation of water on it.

Substrate Ideas For Humidified Shelters:

• Sphagnum moss.
• Peat moss.
• Sheet moss.
• Sand and vermiculite mixture (for older leopard geckos).
• Vermiculite in a mesh bag (so gecko does not eat the vermiculite).
• Do not use a sponge as a substrate - most sponges have a chemical in them that can be harmful to geckos.

Some Basic Guidelines:

• The substrate should be damp but not soaking wet.
  
  
• Replace the substrate regularly to prevent the buildup of potentially harmful pathogens such as bacteria, molds etc...
  
  
• Be sure to carefully microwave and rinse thoroughly various mosses first to remove any potentially harmful insects, their eggs and various larvae.
  
  
• Place the humidified shelter on the warm side of the enclosure.
  
  
• Be sure to provide several other dry shelters throughout the temperature gradients in the enclosure.
  
  
• Check the substrate at least every 2 days to ensure it is damp enough.

Final Thoughts:

• Most leopard geckos will readily retreat to their humidified shelter prior to shedding.
  
  
• Without the provision of a humidified shelter at all times, your gecko may have serious shedding problems.