leaving for a day and half

[fonzi]

CAN I leave the day light on for a day and half? He never comes out. he stays in his hide. We never see him anymore since he got his new hide.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

It's not gonna kill him, but it's not really good for him either. You can just buy a timer, I believe, though I don't own one as I just make sure I'm around to keep it on a regular schedule or have someone turn them off for me. There's no one who can just turn it off for you?

~Maggot

 

[cassicat4]

I would invest in a timer. Around $6 will get you one from Walmart or Home Depot for the simplest model. Then you never have to worry about being around to physically turn the lights on or off, and you can ensure they're on a regular light cycle.

No, it won't hurt him for the short term, but a timer is such an easy solution that leaving the lights on constantly really isn't necessary.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I assume you have an UTH and the light isn't a source of heat, just light? If so, I'd just leave it off for the time you're gone or (as others have said) buy a timer.

I'm not sure I would suggest keeping a bright over tank light on much anyhow. Just keep a lamp in the room on - it will stress the gecko less. Yours might be hiding so much because there's too much light and it bothers him. My geckos live in my back bedroom - it has a few windows that let a moderate amount of light in but they don't have a light source other than that (unless I'm in the room with them) and they seem to be perfectly healthy and happy.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I assume you have an UTH and the light isn't a source of heat, just light? If so, I'd just leave it off for the time you're gone or (as others have said) buy a timer.

I'm not sure I would suggest keeping a bright over tank light on much anyhow. Just keep a lamp in the room on - it will stress the gecko less. Yours might be hiding so much because there's too much light and it bothers him. My geckos live in my back bedroom - it has a few windows that let a moderate amount of light in but they don't have a light source other than that (unless I'm in the room with them) and they seem to be perfectly healthy and happy.

He stated that this is a new behaviour since they got a new hide for it, so unless they changed the lighting with it, the chances that that's the cause are very slim. And just because your lack of overhead light works well (which I have no doubt that it does, for the record), that doesn't mean an overhead light doesn't work. I use a light as my primary heat source, and my gecko doesn't seem bothered at all. She's out during the day sometimes (even often prefers to be closer to the edge of her hide than all the way back in) and is "perfectly healthy and happy." Of course, with albinos, that has to be reconsidered, as they get in more light than regular leos. But, imo, a light is closer to their natural habitat than only a bit of ambient light through a few windows.

~Maggot

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I believe direct, bright light, as would be put out by the majority of over tank lights or aquarium hoods is not ideal for geckos -- especially albinos which are light sensitive morphs - hence my advice.

I read that the behavior started with the new hide. Since I don't know what said hide looks like or what the hide before it looked like, I'm trying to help consider all the possibilities. For example - if the old hide was small or not light-proof the gecko may have felt just as uncomfortable in it as out in bright light and had no preference. The new hide one could provide a much more secure and/or comfortable hiding place that the gecko is taking advantage of now. I don't know if this is the case or not - but provided my advice on the light as I don't think the light is ideal in any situation and can cause the gecko a lot of unnecessary stress (and discomfort if it is a morph with light sensitive eyes).

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I believe direct, bright light, as would be put out by the majority of over tank lights or aquarium hoods is not ideal for geckos -- especially albinos which are light sensitive morphs - hence my advice.

I read that the behavior started with the new hide. Since I don't know what said hide looks like or what the hide before it looked like, I'm trying to help consider all the possibilities. For example - if the old hide was small or not light-proof the gecko may have felt just as uncomfortable in it as out in bright light and had no preference. The new hide one could provide a much more secure and/or comfortable hiding place that the gecko is taking advantage of now. I don't know if this is the case or not - but provided my advice on the light as I don't think the light is ideal in any situation and can cause the gecko a lot of unnecessary stress (and discomfort if it is a morph with light sensitive eyes).

Have you acquired data comparing how bright the inside of the tank is compared to outdoor light? From what I can see, it doesn't appear very different - unless, of course, the gecko looks directly at the light. But looking at the light inside the tank, it - to my eyes - looks very similar to the light outside, hence my suggestion that is closer to their natural habitat than very low light. But it would be interesting to see people do some actual analysis on it. I'll have to do that when I get a camera.

~Maggot

 

[SC Geckos]

I use a light as my primary heat source, and my gecko doesn't seem bothered at all. She's out during the day sometimes (even often prefers to be closer to the edge of her hide than all the way back in) and is "perfectly healthy and happy."

That behavior that you are describing kind of sounds like the gecko is coming out during the day or staying toward the front of its hide to get near the light to warm up. I can't say for sure but it seems that way from what you describe.

Over 30+ years in captivity, using a UTH has proven to be the best way to heat a leopard geckos enclosure. I am not saying its the only way because several people use lights alone, a CHE, or one of the two in combination with a UTH and seem to have success, but I feel that a properly sized and regulated UTH is the best way.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

That behavior that you are describing kind of sounds like the gecko is coming out during the day or staying toward the front of its hide to get near the light to warm up. I can't say for sure but it seems that way from what you describe.

Over 30+ years in captivity, using a UTH has proven to be the best way to heat a leopard geckos enclosure. I am not saying its the only way because several people use lights alone, a CHE, or one of the two in combination with a UTH and seem to have success, but I feel that a properly sized and regulated UTH is the best way.

That seems unlikely, but I suppose theoretically possible. Temps are monitored with a digital probe and kept in the low 90's. And I'm not saying she spends much time out of her hides, but it does happen - as opposed to what the OP described, where they don't see their leo ever, which the other person attributed to the use of a light.

~Maggot

 

[DrCarrotTail]

These are creatures that have evolved to spend the majority of their time in dark crevices and caves and tend to only come out at dawn and dusk when the sun isn't directly overhead. Therefor I don't think comparing direct cage light with direct natural sunlight would help our understanding much since its a reasonable assumption to make that any source of direct light would not be a "natural" condition that geckos would regularly be exposed to in the wild.

That said - of course, there's no right or wrong way to keep geckos. We all make assumptions on what we know about them from their relatives that are not in captivity. Geckos are super hardy creatures that can handle a wide variety of conditions. I hesitate to make assumptions such as a gecko "prefers" one thing over another because there are always a variety of reasons and motivations for any behavior. The gecko could "enjoy" (not sure they're capable of this feeling - hence the quotes) being near the front of its hide, or be there to enjoy a marginal comfort since its not upset by the light, or even out of necessity. I don't think there is any way to know for sure unless you can provide it with a super wide variety in a super naturalistic setting and watch its habits over a long period of time.

P.S. I never said the use of the light was causing anything. I said IMO it was not ideal and I would not suggest using it.

 

[SC Geckos]

That seems unlikely, but I suppose theoretically possible. Temps are monitored with a digital probe and kept in the low 90's. And I'm not saying she spends much time out of her hides, but it does happen - as opposed to what the OP described, where they don't see their leo ever, which the other person attributed to the use of a light.

Yeah, The light could have everything or nothing to do with the gecko hiding. It could be that the new hide is darker inside versus the old hide and it can now get away from the bright light of the enclosure. On the other hand, it could have nothing to do with the light and the gecko just feels secure in it's new hide and only comes out when nobody is around. It is hard to say with any certainty one way or the other.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I don't have time to read or respond to the rest of the post, but I caught this:

P.S. I never said the use of the light was causing anything. I said IMO it was not ideal and I would not suggest using it.

Yours might be hiding so much because there's too much light and it bothers him.

~Maggot

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Yeah um notice the word "might"? This word indicates that it could be a possibility - which I still believe is true. I never said it was a definitely causing anything. This roundabout semantics debating is tiresome.