the "witching" hour gecko

[RyuuKirin]

I've read that leos are more sunrise/twilight type reptiles rather than nocturnal, but could it be they can get a little turned around by their keepers weird schedules?

My husband and I both keep odd hours, up at 1pm-ish, sleep by 3am-ish... and last night, I saw Kirin using his litter box, then scoping out his food dish for a snack... I've never seen him eat, it was fun to sit and watch him but it got me to thinking... he's more active right around the time we're waking up or going to sleep.... is that because we turn on his little light when we get up and turn it off when we're going to bed- so he thinks that's the times of day to get up? (his light is a desk lamp that's turned away from him... our bedroom is pitch black otherwise)

 

[Jordan]

well yes, he thinks it is day when you turn on his light. and night when oyu turn it off, so yes he will go by what times you lead him to think.

 

[sausage]

I've read that leos are more sunrise/twilight type reptiles rather than nocturnal, but could it be they can get a little turned around by their keepers weird schedules?

My husband and I both keep odd hours, up at 1pm-ish, sleep by 3am-ish... and last night, I saw Kirin using his litter box, then scoping out his food dish for a snack... I've never seen him eat, it was fun to sit and watch him but it got me to thinking... he's more active right around the time we're waking up or going to sleep.... is that because we turn on his little light when we get up and turn it off when we're going to bed- so he thinks that's the times of day to get up? (his light is a desk lamp that's turned away from him... our bedroom is pitch black otherwise)

I 100% agree with you! I don’t think leopard geckos are at all nocturnal. All the Leos I’ve ever kept over the years seem to be more active sunrise/twilight, rather more like cats just eating, sleeping and pooping when they feel like it . Mine mooch all day long but do are more active than usual during those time periods lol
I have read articles in magazines and online to support this theory too

 

[Jordan]

I 100% agree with you! I don’t think leopard geckos are at all nocturnal. All the Leos I’ve ever kept over the years seem to be more active sunrise/twilight, rather more like cats just eating, sleeping and pooping when they feel like it . Mine mooch all day long but do are more active than usual during those time periods lol
I have read articles in magazines and online to support this theory too

yes your right they arent nocturnal, they are actually crepuscular, meaning more active at dawn and dusk. ... but people just say nocturnal because its easier.

 

[roger]

yes your right they arent nocturnal, they are actually crepuscular, meaning more active at dawn and dusk. ... but people just say nocturnal because its easier.

Although leos are crepuscular in general, I have a few leos that lie in the open all day long

 

[Jordan]

Although leos are crepuscular in general, I have a few leos that lie in the open all day long

same, i definitely think years in captivity have changed them slightly.

 

[sausage]

yes your right they arent nocturnal, they are actually crepuscular, meaning more active at dawn and dusk. ... but people just say nocturnal because its easier.

yeah thats it! i couldnt remember the name of it