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Rex is going through his first real shed, and he's doing all kinds of strange things, like throwing sand all over the tank, trying to dig further than his 5 inches of sand will allow him, not eating, then pigging out a few days later, and being rather skittish.

I was wondering if maybe the reason he was digging so much was maybe he was trying to find some moisture to help him shed? I was thinking this because, like, Leo's use moist hides when shedding, my friend would put her African Rock Python in a warm bath to help her shed, and so on.

Am I right in this thinking, or is there something else I should tell my mom to do for him (I live 8 hours away from him, my mom cares for him for the time being), or should she let him just do what he's doing?

So he should have some when he's shedding then? The humidity is pretty low (not so low to where its supposed to be, but he seems ok with it none the less), but its not high enough to assist with shedding, I wouldn't think. I want to say its in the 40%'s? Would this be enough, considering its supposed to be in the 20% range, or not because he's used to it?

I want to be extra careful with him, as he's my first leap in to the reptile world heart (great beginner reptile, right LOL)

Getting him started as a joke to my mom when she asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year. I happened to be at PetSmart the day before she asked, and had the most adorable picture of him checking me out, so I sent it to her.

Here we are, about $400, and year later LOL I did tell her after she gave him to me I was joking, but I really love him and wouldn't trade him for anything heart Hurray for impulse buys! blaugh

Also, I've never given him a "bath." Should I ever do that? Some sites say once a week, others, every few months. His feet and tummy are kinda orangey from when mom had him on Calci-Sand for a few weeks, last year. Shedding should get that off, though, right? And he gets plenty moist foods, and occasionally some water over is food. So a bath shouldn't really be needed too much for moisture with what we are doing, right?

Could I do tap water? Straight, or conditioned? Is fish water conditioner ok, or do I need the reptile kind? Or should it be bottled? I don't mind buying stuff for him 3nodding

Well theres chlorine, chloramines, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in it. We filter the water through a Britta pitcher before we drink it. Mostly for taste though. Its weird at times. Like mold >.<

I'm not sure because I'm not there to see it LOL Thats a good deal though. I paid almost $20 for two dial thermometers, and a dial humidistat when I got him :/

I use tap water at about 95 degrees. I like to use the reptile conditioner. A lot of fish conditioners have aloe or whatnot for the fish's slime coat, which I don't think would actually hurt a lizard, but could make him slimy or sticky. Plus, the Reptisafe conditioner I use adds some electrolytes to the water which I like since bath time is just about the only time Vlad drinks water other than what comes from his food. I've used straight tap water a few times when I've run out of conditioner without any ill effects though.