This is what a 97 degree hot spot does....

[Gregg M]

So why is this animal any different???
This photo was taken last night right after she layed her 6th clutch...

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Well i notice a spotty tail and head, some orange coloration on her tail and a hypo complexion. Looks like a leo i have from a MSxTang crossing.

 

[liljenn]

mmmmm.... Nice and FAT tail!! She looks great for having laid 6 clutches!

 

[paulnj]

Gregg is referring to the overall body condition. She has not lost too much wieght due to the temps keeping her feeding.

 

[Haligren]

But what if your leo doesn't like a 97F hotspot? Mine won't go near that side of the tank if the ground temps are over 93F.

 

[Nigel4less]

Gotta keep em Hot! 96F over here!

 

[shawn119]

92 i keep mine.

 

[eyelids]

Ah thanks for clueing me in Paul... I was lost... She looks great Gregg!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

She looks great! I also keep my geckos at around 94 degrees on their 'hot spot' with no problems.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Unfortunatly where my rack is located at this point in time it fluctuates quite a bit. But once we move i'm sure the temps well mellow out. right now it's between 93-95 in the hot spot.

 

[leonut]

93 for me. But none of mine are breeding yet.

 

[paulnj]

At Gregg's suggestion I raised one rack from 91/92 to 96/97 and all 90+ animals started eating more and packing on wieght. I find that a bit more than coincidence myself. Ambient temps also must be a factor too though with the higher warmside temps

 

[eric]

Great stuff gregg! Time to turn up the heat on my Trempers!!!

 

[shadowx362]

Great looking female, I noticed that on my as well!

 

[Geck-O]

She laid 6 clutches and she's still this size?! Wow!

 

[peppered...leopard]

interesting post!

 

[Azazel]

Wow Greg, she looks just like a big virgin female, even after laying her 6th. What's 97F in celcius? I have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Gregg M]

Thanks everyone... I will elaborate on what Paul already said...
With the hotter basking spot, the gecko can thermoregulate better and faster... The higher ambient air temps keep the animals feeding up to a day before they lay eggs and resume feeding right after so there is almost no down time as far as appetite goes... This has been the case with all of my female breeders since I stopped taking internet care guides seriously and looked more into general reptile physiology and behavior...

But what if your leo doesn't like a 97F hotspot? Mine won't go near that side of the tank if the ground temps are over 93F.

Your gecko is going there to bask... Its just not staying there for extended periods of time...

My quote from a different thread...

Your gecko and any reptile should be spending very short periods basking... They should not be basking all day in the hot side... When they have a hot basking spot of 97 degrees they stay there for a couple of minutes to heat up then leave to either hunt, drink or to rest... Like I said, at rest they want to maintain a core body temp of at the very least 85 degrees... It makes perfect sense that your leo will not be in its hot hide for a long time if the temps are at 97 degrees...

So, when your basking temps are too low and your ambient air tempa are too low, your gecko will spend too much time basking and less time thermoregulating and hydrating intself... It is more common for reptiles to overheat or burn due to not having a hot spot that is hot enough...

What's 97F in celcius? I have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

A hair over 36 degrees C... And you are very welcome...

 

[Kristi23]

She looks great! I think I might have to raise my temps up a bit. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Alliemac]

Very interesting! I keep mine at about 95 so I'm going to up it a shade. What would you consider too hot though? I'm always worried about my temps getting too high and burning them. I tend to be paranoid though.