Doesn't Like Heat???

[meaghani]

So, I'm considering getting a heating pad for my gecko but I don't know if it's a good choice because I have kind of an unusual quirk about my lizard.

He doesn't like heat. Honestly, he doesn't. When he's at a temperature of higher than 85 degrees, he's not active, he's clumsy when he eats, he's more aggressive and he's just not Mort the gecko. Since I've cooled his tank down to around 81 (which I know is too low for a leopard gecko) he doesn't spend all his time curled up and he seems healthier.

I know the heat is supposed to make digestion easier but he's never had a digestion problem before.

If I put a heating pad under the tank, what would you recommend for a 10 gallon habitat? And should I switch to a different substrate? I'm currently using newspapers or paper towels.

 

[M_surinamensis]

I'd first question how you are measuring the temperature as you make these observations.

 

[meaghani]

I'd first question how you are measuring the temperature as you make these observations.

Thermometer at the bottom of the tank directly below the heat bulb. Sorry, should have clarified that at the beginning.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

Digital thermometer with a probe?

 

[getgeckos]

a 10 gallon UTH would be quite small and probable cover about 1/5 or 1/6 of the bottom surface of the habitat. Your gecko would be able to choose where he wanted to be. Put a hide on the cool side and a hide on the hot side and a humid hide in the middle. A digital thermometer probe would probably be much more accurate in the temps on the floor of the tank.

 

[meaghani]

a 10 gallon UTH would be quite small and probable cover about 1/5 or 1/6 of the bottom surface of the habitat. Your gecko would be able to choose where he wanted to be. Put a hide on the cool side and a hide on the hot side and a humid hide in the middle. A digital thermometer probe would probably be much more accurate in the temps on the floor of the tank.

What would you suggest for a hide?

 

[EnigmaEcho]

anything realy- as long as its easily cleaned or readily replaceable, pet safe and just big enough for them to get in and out and turn around. coconut shells, plastic containers ( not see through) pet store hides, self made hides ( again, pet safe)- since they are nocturnal and geckos naturaly go underground durring the day, its important to have atleast two hides ( they will instinctly go to either to adjust thier temp)- how big/old is your gecko ( this determins thier behaviour- after about the juvie age/adult, they become more docile- also, its recomended that adults are housed in a 20 gal long, atleast.) a uth is highly recomended- if you want one that doesnt get too hot, i would try the smallest zilla uth ( my experience at least) they are cheap, so you get what you pay for though.