Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all. I am getting a "hand me down" leopard gecko probably right after the holidays. I haven't really asked what the reason is for getting rid of it but i think it boils down to lose of interest from the kid and a mom that doesn't want to keep it. Anyways, i've never owned a gecko before BUT i do have some experience with other reptiles. (currently own a bearded dragon, mali uromastyx and veiled chameleon) so,, i've been reading a bit here and there and have a few questions. What is the coolest night time temp for them? (plan on keeping it in my sons room--68-72 degrees at night), do they required uvb light? (i've read mixed info on this)and what substrate would you suggest? (i'm thinking either sand or that reptile carpet stuff),,, please feel free to pick apart my ideas and set me straight. Also, could someone please point me in the right direction of some good care sheets online?? Thanks,,Merry Christmas, Lo
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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

"What is the coolest night time temp for them? (plan on keeping it in my sons room--68-72 degrees at night)"

Hot Side about 88-90, cool side 75-80

"do they required uvb light? (i've read mixed info on this)"

No they are nocturnal so UVB light is not needed.

"what substrate would you suggest? (i'm thinking either sand or that reptile carpet stuff)"

NO SAND, it can get impacted and die! Reptile Carpet is good, has a nice look to it. Some people use slate tiles, cut to fit the bottom of the tank, I use paper towels in my racks, and carpet in my tanks.

"Thanks,,Merry Christmas"

Welcome! Merry Christmas to you too!
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www.LeopardGeckoBreeder.com

www.LeopardGeckoArt.com

5.13.1 Leos
1.0 Peach Fronted Conure
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders
1.0 Pembroke Corgi
0.2 Cats
8 fish

ok,,and thank you,,,, i'm going cross eyed reading all the different care sheets online!!!! ok,, so,, i am confused about the lighting/heating thing,,,, does this sound ok to you,,,, what i'm thinking (and PLEASE correct me if i'm wrong) if i use a regular bulb during the day, (40w or 60w or 100w, which ever i need to get the right temp) and have that on a timer for 12 hrs on (perhaps shorter in the winter) would it be ok to switch to a red bulb for heat at night? all my other lizards have the light/heat during the day then EVERYTHING off at night time,,,, but with these guys being nocturnal it makes sense to me that they may need to keep the temp. up during the night when they are active (do they eat during the night?? would i feed them in the evening?)thanks again,,, sorry for all the questions, but that being said i'm sure i'll have more Lo
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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

I heard that repticarpet is tough to clean. I use a new walnut shell thing, ground up walnut shells, that the guy at Petland recommended. they do not impact. if they do (which i doubt they will, i've been using this stuff for over half a year), i'm suing the guy. lol jk, but the stuff does work well. and I use a ceramic heat bulb, it keeps it warm enough in there. Don't forget an under tank heater!

Repti-carpet is fine, and it is simple to clean, just throw it in the washer then the dryer. I use a combination of repti-carpet and slate tile in all my tanks. Crushed walnut shells are a really bad idea, it can be worse than sand, and it CAN cause impaction (just look at the size of the particles).

As far as your heating/lighting delimma. Under tank heaters are the best heat source for a Leo. They require "belly" heat to aid in food digestion. The warmside temps of 88-92 degrees are to be measured on the substrate, not the air. If you leave the UTH on 24/7 you may not need additional lighting at night for additional heat. If you want additional heating or just viewing light for night time, then yes, the infrared bulbs are the best. Also as long as you maintain the warm side at night, a cool side of 70 degrees or so won't hurt a thing. Most of my tanks will drop to around 70 degrees on the cool side at night during these cold winter months, but I maintain a warm side of at least 87-88 degrees at night also.

In case you haven't already read it in a care sheet, be sure you provide a humid hide on the warm side. This will aid in it's shedding process and gives that whatever humidity they require.

Good Luck with the new Leo when you get it !!

Thank you all for the replys, of course i do have a few more questions (sorry!!) Can non-adhesive shelf liner be used? I'm assuming it can. It sort of goes along with the paper towels/newspaper ideas but doesn't absorb "liquid",, very easy to spot clean, and you can get different colours/patterns. Since i have read that they tend to go to the bathroom in one spot i think i may put paper towels down in that area once its established. Also, what brand UTH do people usually use? the tank it will be in is 36Lx18Wx12H. Also about the dish of calcium powder that is recommended. I have Rep-Cal calcium with D3 and Herptivite Multi vitamin that i plan on using for 'dusting' the food. is the Calcium ok to use in the dish that is to remain in the tank? I'm very excited about getting my first gecko and i want everything to be perfect for it before i bring him home. I'm really hoping that I get "the call" from the lady who's giving him to me ASAP, something tells me that she's not the stickler to details that i am. Ok, enough rambling, thanks again for all of your help. Lo
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1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Angus)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Eddie)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Stevie Ray)
2.0.0 Dogs (Black German Shepherd-Nicholas, Black Lab-Cooper)
1.1.0 Budgies (Kia and Simon)
0.0.25 Various Fishies (Freshwater)
2.1.0 Hubby and kids (Boy and a Girl)

Yes, the non-adhesive shelf liner is fine. I've seen many people speak very highly of it's use.

As for UTH's, I use the Exo-Terra Heatwave brand, there are several good brands on the market. The UTH should be placed at one end and cover 1/3 of the bottom of your tank. I know Exo-Terra makes one that is 11" x 17", this is the size you would need for the dimensions you gave for your tank.

Now for the calcium question .... the dish you leave in the tank needs to be "plain" calcium, no D3 or phosphorus. Though Leos need D3 occasionally, too much of it can be toxic to them. An adult Leo only needs D3 about 2-3 times per month or no more than once a week. I am guessing that your Herptivite has D3 in it which would take care of this