Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am just wondering if i need a heat pad under my geckos tank? I have read that the heat helps them digest there food, is this correct? Ive had them for a few months now, they seem to be doing fine without one,,, but if i need one for them then i will take care of it.. thanks so much

YES!! it helps keep them warm because they are cold-blooded, and it does help them digest. Although, it does sound like you are taking very good care of them.

im not 100% convinced that leo's need a UTH, i mean 99% of the time they will happily sit on top of it, but mine avoids it at all costs, i have to have 6 layers of triple ply kitchen roll on top of the UTH for it to go anywhere near it. but it's better to have than not

leos don't need a uth to do well. i have used both basking lamps and uths and havent seen much difference in eating habits or digestion. as long as you have the proper gradient, i think it really all depends on what the keeper prefers. some leos will do better with more belly heat, but i doubt that it is essential for most leos. my girls right now are using a simple basking lamp (60w) that I turn off at night (letting the temp in the tank drop to 72ish) and they are feeding and digesting perfectly.

either way, i think most keepers will agree that some heat source is necessary (unless you live in an area/house where the temp stays in the 80s most/all of the time).