ok a thermometer is a most. you need to have a good basking temperature as well as a good surrounding tempereatures, how are you going to know this without one? what size cage do you have him in how. with the newspaper be careful. i dont think that is good to put at the bottom, i would replace it with a paper towel. im sure you know to cage it everyday. i dont know if the ink in newspapers is toxic or not, im sure its not but i wouldnt use it. do you mist the cage and how often? well good luck and get a few thermometers and a hydrometer.