Do Overhead Lights Harm Your Gecko?

Hey guys, I'm not sure if there has been a poll like this in the past, so I apologize if this is a duplicate. But I've heard quite a bit of controversy concerning this subject. So I want to know what you think.

Do overhead lights harm your leopard gecko?

I've heard many people say it can stress them out and hurt there eyes, and that no bulbs should be used, or certain types of colored bulbs can be used safely.

On the other hand some argue that since they are nocturnal creatures they sleep during the day and the light is helpful to aid them in differentiating between night and day. The sun exists in their natural habitat, likewise we can recreate that setting using overhead lights.

So, what do you think?

I'm not sure I can answer this as it's stated. Do they directly harm your gecko? No. But over time they can cause issues. I believe those that give off heat dry out the environment too much. Those that give off light may stress out your gecko (especially albinos!!). Both of these things open doors for issues such as bad sheds, eye infections, or a lowered immune system that may lead to larger health problems. Since geckos are crepuscular creatures they don't need bright or direct sun and therefore I choose to and recommend not using direct over tank lights. Instead I have a floor lamp on a timer and allow the natural light through the windows in the gecko's room to provide indirect light into their enclosures.

I don't feel comfortable answering the poll because I am still a very new gecko owner, but after some research I decided to use a red 50 watt bulb 24 hours a day as well as a 55 watt UV (blacklight) bulb during the day from 7AM-6PM along with a UTH. In the cold winter months, that I have had Raka so far, this setup has done a great job keeping the temperatures in the range that I have seen recommended of 80-90F during the day and 70-85F at night. I know that I will likely need to adjust the timing of these lights when my home temperatures rise for the summer. These colors do not seem to bother my leo like the 55 watt normal (white light) bulb for daytime that was recommended to me by the petstore when I purchased Raka. For visible light, the tank is near a south facing window with miniblinds which provides natural light, but blocks direct sunlight so as to avoid overheating the tank on a sunny day.

DrCarrotTail said:

I'm not sure I can answer this as it's stated. Do they directly harm your gecko? No. But over time they can cause issues. I believe those that give off heat dry out the environment too much. Those that give off light may stress out your gecko (especially albinos!!). Both of these things open doors for issues such as bad sheds, eye infections, or a lowered immune system that may lead to larger health problems. Since geckos are crepuscular creatures they don't need bright or direct sun and therefore I choose to and recommend not using direct over tank lights. Instead I have a floor lamp on a timer and allow the natural light through the windows in the gecko's room to provide indirect light into their enclosures.

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I agree 100%, very well said Lisa

I voted no. I think that if you're giving your gecko enclosures properly sized, dark hides, and cover throughout the enclosure then having a fluorescent or a small heat light (of the correct wattage to warm up the ambient air a little) is harmless. If your hides are transparent tupperware containers then sure, I agree it would probably bother albinos. But with a properly set up enclosure I don't see why lights would cause stress. In my opinion, anyway.

I went with only certain bulbs.
I think red ones are fine for night viewing.
Lights for plants would be okay if you have live plants in terrarium
if on proper timer and dark hides are provided.

With out plants present I'd avoid anything to bright they are night critters after all

DrCarrotTail said:

I'm not sure I can answer this as it's stated. Do they directly harm your gecko? No. But over time they can cause issues. I believe those that give off heat dry out the environment too much. Those that give off light may stress out your gecko (especially albinos!!). Both of these things open doors for issues such as bad sheds, eye infections, or a lowered immune system that may lead to larger health problems. Since geckos are crepuscular creatures they don't need bright or direct sun and therefore I choose to and recommend not using direct over tank lights. Instead I have a floor lamp on a timer and allow the natural light through the windows in the gecko's room to provide indirect light into their enclosures.

Click to expand...

Harm over time is still harm. If I gather what you're saying correctly, the lights will harm your gecko. Perhaps not immediately but given time they will begin to cause issues. What I'm wondering is that if an enclosure is properly set up, shouldn't it replicate a Leopard Gecko's Natural environment? If a gecko sleeps/hides during the day, generally avoiding contact with the light. Won't it do the same in a proper enclosure with light during the day and darkness at night?