Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, so I'm getting a leopard gecko soon and I've read a lot of care sheets but still have some questions.

A lot of the care sheets said they don't need a special lighting, that means no UVA/UVB bulbs? What watt bulb is recommended for the heat they need?

As far as vitamin supplements go is there anything needed other than calcium.

All the sites say either paper towel or newspaper for bedding, are there any other recommended types of substrate I could use?

Thanks in advance.

A UVA/UVB light is not required as Leopard Geckos are nocturnal.For heating, use an heat mat along with a Infra Red Light for day time heat (you could also use it 24 hours as it doesn;t disreupt their sleep pattern)

Use a Calcium supliment AND a Vitamin supliment (such as nutrobal)

Substrates you can use, Paper Towel, News Paper, Tiles, and my fave Repti-Carpet.
They aslo require 3 hides. 1 dry hide at the cooler end and 1 at the warmer end. Also a humuid hide near the warm end

They dont need any lights, heat or uv. I suggest just getting a heat pad. But make sure to keep the temps right with a infa red thermometer.

wtf? No heat LOL are you having a laugh? FACT Reptiles need to be around 90f for their digestive system to work properly. Look it up!

He meant no heat LIGHTS. And 90 degrees? It alll depends on the species.

You don't need to use a heat light. You can use a UTH w/ a rheostat to control the temp. They only need 85F-90F which can be obtained easily w/ a UTH.

I supply a CA dish, fresh water, mealworm dish, humid hide on a paper towel substrate. All my geckos a flourishing.
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1.1 Super Hypo Tangerine Leopards
1.1 Mack Snow Leopards
0.2 Red Racing Stripe Leopards
0.1.1 Bell Albino Leopards
0.1 Blazing Blizzard Leopard
1.0 Rabbit
1.0 Husband
1.2 Children

I assure you he was saying no need for heat lighting as he knows his leos.

Leopard geckos need 88-92 degree belly heat to digest food. I find temps in the 90-93 degree range keep my 100 breeders happy and full
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MY SITE

Okay, so they don't need a lighting, just a UTH. I've never really used a UTH so what does everyone use? Also what do you do for gut feeding your mealies?

Thanks for all the help.

Wow, you leave town for a week and there are a ton of new names, let me help:

Leos in the wild are not completely nocturnal, they do come out at dusk and dawn for a time. This is also observed in captivity. I am a huge fan of lights with UVB as, in my own experiences, my leos grow faster and eat more after only 3 days with a UVB light. Your mileage may vary, but I'm the board's UV advocate and, at the very least, I would suggest a light (even a 40W should be enough) for daytime light and heat, this offers the gecko a better simulation of time. UTH is great for belly heat at night as others have said, any of the major brands are good, we mainly have Zoo Meds.

I used to use some random vitamin mineral supplement, but having read up before getting into crested geckos and finding out their crickets are best dusted with TRex's Leopard Gecko Dust, we've been using that for everything. It is a complete formula of calcium, trace minerals, and vitamins. It is your best option for dusting, a pure Ca dish is recommended to be placed in the enclosure, especially for females.

Substrate the best, especially for young is papertowels all the way. Tile is not a bad option, but harder to get UTH heat through.

BTW, I always say, pick up the book: Leopard Gecko Manual, it is usually $5 or less and a lot of "old timers" still refer to it.

Good Luck.
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0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock

I could see where "daylight" could help leos. But Ive also heard of it stressing them too. Most leos in my opinion would rather be in a very dark isolated tank. Yes they do need heat lol, wow you thought I meant they didnt need heat,.. no they need belly heat. For the record, I have several 100 gram geckos with no UVB. However I would never keep my beardeds or Uros with out UVB.
For the original question, It doesnt matter what type UTH you use. Just as long as surface temp is around 88-92. You can get a temp gun online for like 25 bucks.