Gradient vs Ambient

[GiddyGeckos]

I've heard of breeders keeping their collection of geckos in a room just for geckos and setting the ambient temps to 80-82 instead of using heat tape or cable in the racks. This makes heating easier, but doesn't supply a gradient. Has anyone else had experience with this?

I'm planning on building a shed and turning it into a breeding facility.

 

[indyana]

Hmm, 82 F isn't really warm enough for proper digestion, so the idea sounds strange to me... and of course, keeping them at ambient 90 F all the time wouldn't work. I've never heard of this method with leopard geckos before.

 

[Neon Aurora]

Gradients are very important. Having the entire room at 82 would completely remove their ability to thermoregulate. I wouldn't do this. Using heat tape in your racks is a much better idea. However, you say shed, do you mean outside shed? You may very well need to heat the air too if it gets below 60 where you live.

 

[GiddyGeckos]

Yes, outside shed. It would definitely be temperature regulated and insulated against the outside elements.

I've heard arguments that they can still temp regulate if you provide a moist hide because of the "Evaporative Cooling" affect.

It's the same affect that occurs when you put a damp towel on your neck when you're out working in the yard.

All that being said, I'm starting to think it might just be easier to use the flexwatt.

 

[Neon Aurora]

Eh. I think a proper heat gradient is still much healthier. Some cooling may occur from evaporation, but think of it this way - When you're in Florida and it's 82 degrees out, do you feel cool because of the moisture? Not really. If the humid hide is actually humid, than it's harder for water to evaporate off the gecko's skin and into the air because there is already a lot of moisture in the air. That's why evaporative cooling (sweating) doesn't work as well in humid areas than in dry areas.