Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all u leopard gecko lovers, Im new to keeping leo's and i wanted to know do all u guys and gals leave ur heat mat on 24/7 at the right temp being 88-90F. I think it obviously is yes but if someone could confirm this for me.Thx alot. I will be getting 2 female baby leo's next week it's a first time for me keeping leo's i have been keeping green anoles the last year and a half and i'd like to try a new reptile.Thx Gilbery007

You'll need to keep part of the cage warm all the time, and that's the easiest way to do it. Some people have mats that will drop by a few degrees at night, but it doesn't seem to be necessary. Leos will thermoregulate as they see fit, as long as there is a cool side for them to retreat to if they need it.

Mine actually prefers the warm side at night. She'll lounge on her big rock, ontop of one of her hides, or have a nap in the middle of the heat mat side.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. The people on this forum have certainly helped me.

Glad to hear you're getting things set up a week ahead. It took me a good week to get the substrate thickness right and set up the temps properly, but I was glad I gave myself the time before I got her.
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

Hi blaine thx for ur help and quickness i really appreciate it.Yes im just gettin my temps set up finding plastic rubbermaid tubs etc.I still have to get some moss for their moist hide but at the moment because i'll be getting babie leo's im gonna keep it real simple so as i can monitor them carefully.Do u think it will be ok to put 2 females in a 30 gallon long tank together???or separately until i think they r eating ok etc???Thx again Gilbery007

...but I'm sure someone else can answer questions about multiple geckos in a 30L.

What i can tell you is make sure you quarantine. I don't know what the concensus is about quarantining if they're sisters and have always lived together. But if that isn't the case, quarantine for 3 months for sure in separate tanks. There have been a few threads in the last couple weeks about quarantining and how important it is.
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

. . .with having babies in a 30 gal was there ability to find the food. That's a HUGE space for them. You'll just have to see if they do.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

. . . it's quite fine to turn them off at night to give them a night-drop. In fact, many experienced herpers who have leos living past 20 years do a night drop.

Think of it this way. Herps are cold-blooded, right? Leaving it hot all the time, is like keeping the "motor running" wide open 24/7.

I'm sure you will be fine leaving it on - but night drops are, arguably, a healthier alternative.

Just for your consideration.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

I guess I probably should have noted that in my house, the temp drops a few degrees at night anyway. Usually the temps in the tank drop a couple degrees too, but nothing drastic.

As long as they can move to a cooler spot, the shouldn't be any harm either way (with or without night drops). During the day mine sleeps in the cool hide, then for a bit in the warm hide, then back and forth. She'll move four or five times a day (when I'm home during the day on weekends she slinks across so stealthily that I usually don't notice).

She'll move around a lot in the evening too. As long as there's a cool place for them to go to, they'll be fine (assuming your temps are right)

But the breeders know best. There are options either way for most aspects of gecko care. In a lot of cases it comes down to what you can afford to provide or are comfortable with.
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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

I still think there are times when a herper has to "force" the issue, for the well-being of their animals. I've had some leos who stay on the warm side ALL the time - while others, in the same rack level, will be moving all over the place. I think a good night drop is quite good for them.

At times, I will turn my racks down into the 70's, down from the 90 hot spot I usually give them.

Anyway - it makes for good discussion.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

...it's always nice to hear what others prefer.

If mine spent all her night on the warm side, I'd be concerned, but she moves back and forth as she sees fit. I could see it being an issuse if you had one that just stayed on the hot side. (But I guess that's why some people move to Florida or Arizona to retire)

Here's a recent pic of her. She actually came at the camera and climbed up on it. It was cute, but it left little gecko footprints on the lense...

And I believe it was you who commented on how fast they grow up and how much their pattern changes. You weren't kiddin! She was all black and yellow stripes and circles 3 weeks ago!

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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

np
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chickabowwow

3.2.3 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)

For anyone who's just purchased (or is about to purchase a baby gecko), here's a little photo heads-up of what kind of a change you might expect in the first 5 weeks. The pic below is of Echo when I got her 5 weeks ago, and she looked like that for another 2 weeks until her first shed.

Skip to the next post to see her today (3 weeks later at 3 months old)

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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

Here she is last weekend. The difference is amazing. Every day I'm seeing more and more spots and patterns on her.

Echo at 3 months:

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Blaine

0.0.1 HY/Patternless/Normal Leo (Echo)

np
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chickabowwow

3.2.3 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)

thats where the UTH comes in,i have my UTH on all the time unless my room hits real high in temps,my room is usually about 80,thier tanks reach 88-90 but they move around alot here and there,at night i close my heater vent forcing a drop in air temp to about 75-77 and it doesnt affect them,over the past 2 weeks my heater has been broke so while i wait for it to be fixed they take a slightly lower drop to about 70,still however doesnt bother them,in the dessert temps can go from 120 to 60 from day to night so i say 75 is a good night time drop and its what i aim for...

kali
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 mali uromastyx

np
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chickabowwow

3.2.3 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)