Do Leopard Geckos need a Heat Lamp and a uVb lights

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ooohboy123

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hey guys do you need a Heat Lamp a UVB Light for your Leopard Geckos any input or advice would be helpful.Josh
 

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
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No UV light. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so their eyes and skin are not adapted for UV light. You would only need a heat lamp if the under-tank heater (UTH) doesn't heat the floor surface of your enclosure to 90-92 degrees.
 

Crewdog00

James Skar
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I've heard multiple people say that all leopard geckos are nocturnal. I disagree with this because IMO they are Crepuscular meaning they come out at dust and dawn. If an animal is truely nocturnal then I would assume they only come out at night. My Gecko along with a lot of other keepers will tell you that their geckos come out in the day, and at night, and nap throught a 24 hour period.

I've personally fed my gecko before noon and at midnight. She comes out when she thinks it's feeding time.
 

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
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LOL... did you notice the original thread is from 2007!!? :) In my nearly 17 years experience with several species of geckos, they are most active at night and feed whenever they are hungry and/or food is available. In the wild, my guess is that they do indeed feed at dusk when the bugs are most active and available. We must remember that we are holding them captive and in unnatural environments, and their natural inclination is nocturnal.
 

Crewdog00

James Skar
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Brookfield, CT 06804
When an animal is said to be Crepuscular, it is active during the twilight hours at dawn and dusk.

Nocturnal animals ONLY come out at night. They have specially developed sense of vision to see in the dark and normally have a keen sense of hearing also.

Animals active during the day hours are Diurnal.
 

mudskipper

New Member
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268
When an animal is said to be Crepuscular, it is active during the twilight hours at dawn and dusk.

Nocturnal animals ONLY come out at night. They have specially developed sense of vision to see in the dark and normally have a keen sense of hearing also.

Animals active during the day hours are Diurnal.

Don't take this the wrong way because I share your enthusiasm on leopard geckos and enjoy reading your posts, but it's pointless to debate about stuff like this because you neither have the experience nor academic credentials to back up your "opinion". :)

You have only had a leopard gecko for a couple weeks while I have had mine for just over a month. Regardless of how much we have been reading, we simply do not have enough experience compared to many of the members who have bred them for years.
 

Cesar_Da_KIng

Reptile Enthusiast
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334
Location
Titusville, Florida
Mudskip, your willingness to admit your not an expert after owning one for a few days is greatly appreciated :) And crewdog, animals that are nocturnal are known forbeing up in the early morning and before sun down, very few animals are known for being active for such a short time as only dusk and dawn.
 

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
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12,731
Location
SF Bay Area
If leopard geckos were anything other than primarily nocturnal, their eyes and skin would be better adapted to natural UV light... which they are not. Leopard geckos do not see very well in bright light, and their skin does not assimilate VitD for Calcium meatoblism like diurnal reptiles do. To repeat my previous comment, we are keeping these lizards in unnatural conditions, and since they are opportunistic feeders, will eat whenever food is available or when they are hungry... whether it is dusk or dawn or anything inbetween.

The original post of this thread back in 2007 asked, "Do Leopard Geckos need a Heat Lamp and a uVb lights". My answer back then is the same as it is today. NO they do not need heat lamps (they need belly heat), and NO they do not need any UV lights. The amount of natural sunlight throughout the normal light cycle is plenty.
 

Crewdog00

James Skar
Messages
405
Location
Brookfield, CT 06804
Agree to Disagree

Mudskip, your willingness to admit your not an expert after owning one for a few days is greatly appreciated :) And crewdog, animals that are nocturnal are known forbeing up in the early morning and before sun down, very few animals are known for being active for such a short time as only dusk and dawn.

I agree, I just wanted to start a nice thread, which people could debate and makes their points. I think it makes for a very interesting read and great thread for the forum. I love this forum due to the fact that every can voice their opions and there are a lot of debates over leopard geckos. Debates range from temps to subrate to lighting to feeding to well everything haha.

In short, it doesn't matter to me weather they are noctural or not, because well it won't effect how anyone loves the pet, or how anyone treats them. I think for the most part we all care for our pets and want the best for them. I let my Annie dictate when she wants to come out and when she wants to hide. I am a firm believer that if an animal wants to hide in the day or night, leave them be. No need to add stress. Great posts everyone!
 

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