Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We got a baby albino gecko some weeks ago from a breeder who gave us lousy instructinos about keeping him alive. Fast forward to several weeks without him eating and reading this forum enough to figure out something was wrong, we're now trying to warm up his tank.

On the advice of a leopard gecko owner, we're supplementing the underwarmer with an overhead light -- 15 watts, two bulbs, one's a night bulb and one's a day bulb. (My husband was thinking to use one at a time but then realized they don't have separate switches.)

So now our question is since Petrie is an albino, how safe is a UV bulb? Is the moon bulb (black light) enough for him? He's in our chilly basement (our whole house is cold and the basement at least has no drafts) and we're trying to warm up his cage.

Tips on getting the heating right would be much appreciated -- we're pretty confused over here and want to get him eating again.

I have a albino too. What I do to keep him warm, becuz my room is cold, I put him on a 100 watt sunglo bulb from exo terra and at night i have him on a undertank heater. The light isn't really a issue for albino's as long as they have a good hide.
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Wat up. I only have 1 leo but much more is still to come. I know for a fact i am getting a crested gecko in december so seeya. Oyah if you want to e-mail me my e-mail is
y0m0m666@hotmail.com

if you want to look at my website based on leopard geckos it is www.freewebs.com/y0m0m666/. Sorry i coudn't figure out the url thing.

1) Why would you use UVB on a nocturnal species of reptile????

2)Isnt it fairly obvious that and animal that is lacking pigment would not do well being exposed to UVB????

Alittle side note.... The eyes of albinos are very scensitive to light..... Albinos of any species can actually go blind from bieng exposed to bright lights for extended periods of time....

Also UVB lighting has proven to be dangerous to some nocturnal species of reptile.....

I have never used UVB on my nocturnal animals either Gregg, but strange to say, i have had several herp vets recomend them to me, and almost seem to chastize me when i tell them i dont use them. Strange isn't it?

In answer to your questions, heat is much more important than light for leopard geckos, espeically albinos. Red or black lights work well because they do not hurt their sensitive eyes. Add as much heat as you need to get the tank up to 85-92degrees.

I must add, even if the breeder did give you lousy instructions it is still up to you to make sure your babies are cared for well. It is awesome that youa re using this forum to get information, but you should also try some websites and books. The Leopard Gecko manual is a good book and is available at most pet stores or can be easily ordered on line.

Good luck with everything!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

nocturnal reptiles are not 100% nocturnal, although the majority of their active time is at night they would be exposed to some sunlight in the wild. Also it has been shown to stimulate feeding in other speices of reptile and was recommended by my herp vet to help with those times when you just cant figure out why your gecko isnt eating or why it is acting weird. If you do use it though use uv lighting in very small amounts, my vet recommended the lowest levels i could find to try with gecko because of the issue with their eyes. I Have not tried it personally but am considering it to try to stimulate my gecko to eat.

WHen I got my first two, I had problems with them eating. They wouldn't eat alot, or very often. I did have a UV on them. However, after reading the posts here (I think it was Gregg that suggested it too) I took the UV off and my guys actually seem to eat better now. They actually eat during the day instead of just when the lights are off.
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Trish
1.0.0 Bells Albino Leopard Gecko "Lyle"
0.1.0 Hypo-Gold Leopard Gecko "Goldie"
0.1.0 High Yellow Jungle Leopard Gecko "Lucky"
0.1.0 Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko "Storm"
0.1.0 Cockatiel "Jewel"
0.1.0 Pitbull/Golden Retriever "Guiness"
0.2.0 Cats "Athena" and "Violet"
0.1.0 Horse "Arian Gold Karma"
And who knows how many fish

Leos do not need UV bulbs. They are nocturnal animals, and therefore see almost no sun in the wild. I do not think that UV would be detrimental, as long as the leo has a hide dark enough to get out of the light. What temp is the tank with the UTH? make sure that it is between 80 - 90 degrees in the warm side, and 70 to 75 in the cool side. It is important to have a temp. gradient, make sure the whole tank is not to warm.
My albinos (trempers, rainwater, and bell) will come out in the daylight to look around occasionally, but they are much more active in low light.

God luck
Tony

WHat size tank is he in?? Normal temp should be around 90 degrees during the day w/ basking of 100-110 and 70 at night time. The wattage bulbs you use depend on the size tank. I have a 29 gal tall with two 75 watt bulbs, one night and one day and a UTH (I think 100 watt). I leave both lights on during the day and turn the daylight bulb off at night. You want to be able to turn the daytime bulb light off at night since they are nocturnal and just leave the night time bulb on. I was told by the breeder I got my new girl from 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night . . . not sure if that's standard with everyone though, but I turn the light out when I go to bed and turn it on when I wake up.

You don't need UVB with Leopards because they are nocturnal. They don't need it to simulate daylight. Also, from what I've heard here is that it can actually cause eye problems, so I took mine off.
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Trish
1.0.0 Bells Albino Leopard Gecko "Lyle"
0.1.0 Hypo-Gold Leopard Gecko "Goldie"
0.1.0 High Yellow Jungle Leopard Gecko "Lucky"
0.1.0 Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko "Storm"
0.1.0 Cockatiel "Jewel"
0.1.0 Pitbull/Golden Retriever "Guiness"
0.2.0 Cats "Athena" and "Violet"
0.1.0 Horse "Arian Gold Karma"
And who knows how many fish