Newbie question. UVB Lighting?

[Darth2307]

New to leopoard geckos and I have spent some time reading the forums. I have read much about supplementing Leo's with calcium and Vitamin D3 and saw the differing views. I was wondering if anyone uses UVB lights for their leopard geckos or if they are not needed like the basking type lizards need? Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[fuzzylogix]

leopard geckos are nocturnal, so no special light sources are needed. the best heating method imho is under tank for belly heat.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Also for an animal of this nature that is mostly active after sunset and before dawn they do not need any UV lighting to help process/produce vitimins like some other herps do. All having a UV light on your leo tank will do is stress your animal out. They're too bright and add no benefit.

 

[Darth2307]

I have under tank heaters that I use. I know that leopard geckos are not truly nocturnal and that they spend their time in the wild milling about at dusk and dawn, so they have to get some UV light from the sun. Would the UV light that they get from those times in the wild need to be supplimented in captivity? I read a chart from a study that says that about 30 microwatts of UVB is sufficient for Leopard Gecko's. Just wondering if anyone really uses any type of UV lighting or if the vitamin D3 will suffice in the supplements?
Thanks.

Dog Shrink? So do most people not use any type of light during the day for viewing the animals if sunlight is available? Just curious, as I was thinking of using a normal flourescent light during the day for viewing. Would that light stress them out?
Thanks.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

The majority of people here use no lighting, a few use infrared lights if they need extra heat due to living in a cold region. I just use ambiet light to view my gecko.

 

[Darth2307]

Thanks Clemsonguy! I do live in a colder climate during the winter months, so I might need to get the warm side of the tank warmer with an infrared lamp during those times. I will not use the UV lighting then and thanks everyone for their comments!
Best!:main_thumbsup:

 

[gothra]

A normal light will not stress them out as long as they have places to shield from the bright light.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Yes a 15 watt regular incandescent light bulb can be used if you need help setting a day/night cycle if the leo is in a dark room or if you just like looking at your tank. It only added about 2-3 degrees to my 20 long when I use one. Also don't rule out the moonlight blue heat bulbs as an alternative heat source. I notice my leo won't use his humid hide if the red light is on overhead but will use it if the same wattage blue moonlight bulb is on. Odd creatures.

 

[Darth2307]

Dog Shrink, very interesting indeed. I have three leo's and my two older ones don't seem to care about the red light, but the new one doesn't like it. He runs and hides in his cave every time I turn it on. Maybe i will give the blue one a try. Thanks for the help!
Best!

 

[Dog Shrink]

Does the new one have red eyes by any chance?

 

[Darth2307]

yes, he does actually. My wife brought him home for me for an early valentines day gift. I am not even sure what kind he is. I think a mack snow, but not sure. I will post a picture of him tomorrow. Maybe you guys can help me figure out what he is.

 

[Pinky81]

Darth I live in WI and keep my apartment around 65 degree (heat is expensive sweatshirt are not :main_laugh So I found I need to use an infared to help get my temps up. Clyde my male doesn't seem to give a rip about the red light. He comes out and cruises his tank everynight...but Bonnie doesn't seem so happy with it so I moved to the Moonglow bulb..and she now comes out and cruises her tank as well!!

They truely are individuals!!:main_thumbsup:

 

[LeopardShade]

UVB rays are completely unnecessary for Leopard Geckos. They are nocturnal, and bright light will cause stress. They will obtain all their calcium and D3 from a supplement in their food (may I recommend Rep-Cal?)

 

[M_surinamensis]

UVB rays are completely unnecessary for Leopard Geckos.

There is an important distinction between what others have said and what you just said.

Others said that leopard geckos required no artificial UVB lighting. This is accurate.

You just said they require no UVB. This is wrong.

Leopard geckos do require UVB exposure in order to synthesize D3 and metabolize calcium. They are just extremely efficient at doing so, adapted to the lighting they are exposed to as terrestrial, crepuscular lizards. The ambient lighting and infrequent exposure they get when kept as pets is sufficient to meet their needs, most of the time. It is a very small amount of UVB but it is present and it is necessary.

I hope the difference is now clear.

They are nocturnal,

They are crepuscular. There is a difference.

and bright light will cause stress.

Bright lights will cause them to behave as they behave during the day; they go underground and wait it out. Bright lights only cause stress when combined with an inability to fulfill that instinctive dictate. If they can escape it by going down and dark, it isn't problematic in the least.

They will obtain all their calcium and D3 from a supplement in their food (may I recommend Rep-Cal?)

Thank god those Afghani tribesmen from Rambo 3 have been running around dusting insects with rep-cal for the last couple hundred thousand years. If it weren't for them those poor loepard geckos never would have been extinct long ago.

 

[Jheuloh]

New to leopoard geckos and I have spent some time reading the forums. I have read much about supplementing Leo's with calcium and Vitamin D3 and saw the differing views. I was wondering if anyone uses UVB lights for their leopard geckos or if they are not needed like the basking type lizards need? Thanks for your help in advance!

Summary of what keepers and breeders have stated;

Ultra-violet light fixtures aren't usually deemed necessary for good health, though it is often said that their behaviours become enhanced by the presence of UVB light fixtures.

My point of view;

If you can get the light fixtures, use em! (This is my 'emulate nature' mentality talking.)

Above post; :main_laugh:

 

[Darth2307]

Well, thanks everyone. It seems there is a vast expanse of knowledge here on the forums. I appreciate everyone who has posted a reply to my question. For now, I will go without the UV lights and see what happens. I am using an all in one type suppliment and UTH's for my lizards. At night I am now using red lights for my two older lizards and the new one got the Moonlight Blue light. He seems to like it much better and doesn't run and hide when I turn it on like he did with the red light. Thanks everyone!
Enjoy!
Brandon