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I recently bought a gecko (I have experience with other herps) and was wondering why a desert creature doesn't need full-spectrum lighting? I don't want him to develop any problems associated with an inability to absorb vitamins because of a lack of light. I do give him vitamins regularly. He has a black bulb heat lamp (the kind that emits red light), but should I also include a full-spectrum bulb? Thanks!
Beth
Its a leo right? If it is he doesn't need the light be cause he is a nocturnal species.
right, he's a leopard gecko. if he doesn't have a full-spectrum light, though. How does he adsorb certain vitamins?
Beth
all you have to make sure of is that you get a suppliment with vit. D3 in it, thats the one that they get from the sun. i think it aids in absorbing vit. C but i'm not sure....someone else could probbaly tell you more!
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It aids in absorbing calcium
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I use a small 15" flourescent light it emits only 3% uva and 2% uvb so it's not high output it also sits to high for her to actually benefit from the uvb rays but i do believe that she is benefiting from the uva rays for her pshycological part, vitamin d3 is essential in there diet b/c they require it to break down vitamin d3 since they don't produce there own d3 you need to supplement, my supplement schedule goes like this b/c shes not a full adult yet, mon tues = calcium only, weds thurs= calcium w/ d3, Friday vitamins and minerals, the weekend i give her a variety diet of whatever i get w/ no supplements, also keep a little dish of pure calcium w/ no d3 in it, ppl can dispute this over and over but i believe that uva is important so i use the lighting "kinda", it's a must if u have her setup in a room that remains dark and they can't get there photoperiod so i hope this clears up stuff !
- Travis
thanks for your replies, everyone. I'm new to the gecko world and it's nice to know there are people out there willing to help me out 
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