Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Question one: If you raise the temps from out of the winter temps and extend the light cycle, can you make baby geckos during Christmas?
Question two: I have been keeping leos for a long time now, I have never used lighting in my setup before. I light the room with all spectrum light, but it is like almost ten feet to the ceiling. I just hauled out a flourescent light and placed it on top of my ten gallons. My albinos freaked out, they looked like they couldn't even see. Who uses flourescent lighting above open topped ten gallons? I gave one a mealie on the ground and she ate it, but will they be bothered by this light? Will it harm them, like blinding? I am wondering because I just set up my cycle to a fourteen hour light cycle to simulate spring, I don't want to hurt them though,.. please give imput.

>>Question one: If you raise the temps from out of the winter temps and extend the light cycle, can you make baby geckos during Christmas?

Theoretically, yes, but you have to override their natural instinct, some breeders have had better luck than others. I suspect it has to do with geographical location. (We have very obvious changes around these parts as we have a long, cold, winter. Even though the geckos' light cycle hasn't changed, our leos have "wintered" themselves. Someone in a more moderate climate may have better luck, IMHO.)

>>Question two: I have been keeping leos for a long time now, I have never used

The key here is you suddenly blasted them with light. If you lived in the relative dim of a normally lit room and someone blasted a very bright fluorescent light over you, nearer than you've ever had it, how would you feel? Sky is falling? Sun is falling? Some say albinos are more sensitive to light as well, though this hasn't been my experience, but that could also factor in. Do you have enough hides?

My question to your questions is why are you trying to produce eggs out of cycle? Profit? I would guess it would do harm to the health of the geckos if you have already attempted/ succeeded in a breeding cycle once this year and are trying to push through another set. They are creatures after all and not machines. We all know how much breeding shortens their life expectancy. Obviously, I have pretty strong opinions on the matter and would encourage you to stop what you are doing.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

So I wouldn't breed for profit, at least not my animals which are my pets. Second I asked about it because I am interested ikn Biorhythms and animal instincts. I also just added the flourescents to make them have a more dependable light cycle, then me and my family going in and out of the room. I tried breeding one of my girls, my fem alb "Dorothy" earlier this year, she is going to be taking some time off, she lost a lot of weight because she wasn't eating for some reason, I got to the three eggs she did lay too late to save them. My Redstripe, "Tangerine" is way fat, and I wanted to try with her. I plan to breed her to my striped Albino "Stripe". I asked the question because I wanted to know about the flourescents and whether they were going to be too close (12 inches) and if the albinos would be hurt by the 40watt bright lights. I felt bad for missing my possible beautiful babies I could of had this year, so I am a little ancy to start. I live in Seattle, and the effect of the seasons is not that drastic in my constantly heated 70 F. I was also curipous if anyone else had success during the "off season?" anyways I hope you feel better about my questions. Have a great Winter!)

n/p