We have a leopard gecko we got for X-mas and because he is...

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Answer by Nick
Submitted on 5/3/2004
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The gecko should truly have a 12 hour day and 12 hour night cycle. This is especially important because the leopard gecko is a nocturnal animal. Depending on the temperature discrepancy, alternate heating options can eliminate the need of a heating lamp (that produces light). The best option is a ceramic heating lamp, which plugs into a standard light bulb socket (note that because of their high heat output they may require special fixtures), and emanates heat, but no light. Also, it's okay if the temperature drops at night to around 70 degrees. If the ambient room temperature in your basement is lower than that, though, you should certainly look into purchasing a ceramic bulb heater. A ceramic heat rock may also be sufficient, but they lack a strong heat output and may not be sufficient. As a final note, if you do purchase a ceramic bulb to heat your tank, do NOT put it inside of the cage or it can burn and injure your pet. Also keep it away from plastics, which it can melt if it comes too close to them. Do a little research and if you are still unsure of what to do, inquire at a local pet store. In any case, it is not good to have your pet's cage lighted 24 hours a day, but neither do you want to allow your pet to become too cold.

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Question by Charlie
Submitted on 3/22/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.herp Frequently Asked Questions (1 of 3)
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We have a leopard gecko we got for X-mas and because he is in the basement we wanted during the cooler months to keep him warmer. I was afraid if we turned off the heating lamp he would get too cold so we have been leaving it on. He has a cave type rock he lives in and seldom comes out. Are we messing him up or making him sick by keeping the light on all the time, even at night? charles@recruiterman.com

Answer by gecko-man
Submitted on 8/23/2004
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You should use an under-tank heater or a red light, they both supply heat and the gecko will come out at night(they are nocturnal).Nick is right,12hr day 12hr night.

Answer by jono
Submitted on 9/19/2004
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hi i got a leopard geko off a mate and he used to be handled but i dont think he was after a bit when i touch him he runs away is this normal and what shall i do to get him tame* agian? can u please help (jono_whits@yahoo.com)

Answer by Ren'ee
Submitted on 2/8/2005
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Well I think that you should have a normal heating light on for 12 hours and then have another light called a "night glo" which is a dark heating light which will allow you're gecko to think that it is night. SO getting a "night glo" would be the best solution. You can get the light just about at any pet shop. I got mine at "Petsmart". Hope this helps!

Answer by nate
Submitted on 3/15/2005
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can it bite you

Answer by Bailey
Submitted on 2/27/2006
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You should only have the light on till 6:00 at night. I have 1 leopard gecko and I have found it much easyer to have a under tank heater because you can keep it on all the time and they are really warm. To make him more playful simply play with him!! I take mine out of his take every night and let him crawl all over me! Its fun! Hope this helped!

Answer by augiedogie420
Submitted on 3/8/2006
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yes you should turn off the light at night it is requierd to turr the light off for correct behavior and the gecko just likes dark spaces during the day because they are nocternal and very rarly come out during the day even in thier native lands

Answer by bob
Submitted on 3/23/2006
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i have many leopard geckos and they never need light at night if you need to keep them warm at night get a undertank heater or a infra red heater. he will be happier with a undertank heat source. they do not need a lot of heated space in the enclosure so that is why i recomend a undertank heater.

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