UV/heat lamp?

[Graystripeandmisty]

Hi peoples, I just am concerned about my gecko. He doesn't seem to be eating very much (like at all) and I am wondering if this is because he is bothered by his basking/heat lamp. I have heard of people only using a heat pad but I figured, since the sun shines down onto the ground and heats up the ground in their natural habitat, that a basking/heat lamp would be better for him.Should I change to a heating pad? I just want to make him feel better but would prefer not to switch because I have a "create your own habitat" substrate (the kind that starts out like dust and then you wet it and it hardens) and it would be a big task to rechange the habitat along with some stress on leopard gecko. Thanks for any help I receive ahead of time.

 

[KaitouCat]

Well with leopard geckos belly heat is more important than over head heat so a heating pad stuck to the bottom of the cage would be the better way to go. Also depending on the type of bulb you're using which I assume it's a bright light one since you said basking light, those are not typically used for leopard geckos and as it's a light that would have to get turned off at night, that would allow the cage to get a great deal cooler depending on ambient room temperature. For leos you should use a red night light bulb[?], a night light bulb that does not give off light[forget what they're called], or one of those ceramic heat emitters. Although again, for leos the belly heat is more important as it helps aid their digestion.

How long have you had your gecko for and what are the temps inside of the tank on the hot and cool sides? Also do you happen to have a picture of him?

Hope this was at least somewhat helpful.

 

[Dinosaur!]

i would very highly reccomend switching to a heat pad, and im sorry because i know thats not what you want to hear... but leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they don't require lamps at all, and since it is bright outside their hide when you have lamps (not night which is when they generaly hunt) they are less inclined to go outside to eat. in the wild, leopard geckos have evolved to absorb the heat from the rocks at night which are heated by the sun during the day. this means that in order to digest food they need mid 80's-low 90's farenheit belly heat. if your gecko knows that there is not adaquete belly heat outside, they probably wont eat because they know they cant digest it properly which will make them throw up in the end. this is probably why he isnt eating very much. i do hope that this helps clear up things a little for you though!

 

[Graystripeandmisty]

Thank you for your information. I think I will try to redo his cage and I am glad people have informed me. Any other helpful info would still be welcome.

 

[Graystripeandmisty]

Also I have had him for about a year and a half and I think the reason why he has stopped now is we changed the light bulb in his light. Before the problem hasn't happened and by changing the light bulb i think I ca get the tempeture normal again but because his night light still doesn't give off much heat I think I am going to redo his cage anyway.

 

[tb144050]

Before you tear out the inside of the cage, try putting the UTH under the hotside and wait a few hours to see if the UTH can heat all your "substrate" up to about 90F. I think it can, but it will take hours for the entire substrate (above the UTH) to warm to 90F.

 

[tb144050]

I was so busy saying the first thing that comes to EVERYONE"s mind, that I didn't think it through...

In addition to "proper belly temp", and your suggestion about the "new light is different and changed the floor temp":

This bulb-change could also have inspired a change in his appetite due to the simple "change in daylight cycle (brightness)". If they can SEE a change in daylight, I think they start "slowing down" and possibly starting "brumation" if the "change" is enough to trick them.

edit: also one other thing...if you are using a bulb that emit any UV rays, you should probably consider changing to NON-uv bulbs and using proper supplements instead. UV bulbs are said to be too powerful for Leopard geckos because they do not absorb much UV in nature.