Anyone know anything about Leopard Geckos?

[Namio]

For the record I doubt you'll find any care sheet recommend either a warm side temperature of over 100F or having a bright basking spot, not to mention both.

[NatureLady]

I just wanted to make sure to add that these guys are great, so much so that I got one for my 19 year old niece for her birthday last year.

A few things to add...They need BOTH a warm dry and a moist hide. I see people all over the Leo keeper community have shed problems because they neglect this one simple rule. Toes can be lost with poor sheds with these guys and it is just sad.

Also UTH heaters (they make many styles and kinds) they are better in the long run. Being that these guys are nocturnal, basking to aid in digestion goes against their natural ways. They hunt at night and then seek out warm places to hide during the day time to digest their food. I personally use flexwat heat tape with a temperature controller on my geckos.

[poison]

Mike, These geckos are exposed to much higher suface temps in the wild then 100F. These tempatures definitely wont kill/burn them. These geckos are several years old and using the same exact setup for several years (not my geckos). Its said that albino eyes get stronger with age. Tom Crutchfield, raised albino green iguanas out doors year round. I have used uvb bulbs for albino animals for several years with no ill effects. I can't say I care to much on what care sheets have to recommend anymore. Most people who right those care sheets have never tried these types of setups with reptiles. So for them not to recommend something that they have never tried and no proof of them being dangerous makes no sense. "Sunburns" are caused from over exposure to uv rays.

[Namio]

Mike, These geckos are exposed to much higher suface temps in the wild then 100F. These tempatures definitely wont kill/burn them. These geckos are several years old and using the same exact setup for several years (not my geckos). Its said that albino eyes get stronger with age. Tom Crutchfield, raised albino green iguanas out doors year round. I have used uvb bulbs for albino animals for several years with no ill effects. I can't say I care to much on what care sheets have to recommend anymore. Most people who right those care sheets have never tried these types of setups with reptiles. So for them not to recommend something that they have never tried and no proof of them being dangerous makes no sense. "Sunburns" are caused from over exposure to uv rays.

I'm sure these geckos are exposed to 100F and higher in their native land, but during such intense heat I can't imagine them doing anything but thermal regulate by finding cool shelters. You raised an excellent point about care sheets in general. It's important to check the source/authors to ensure credibility. Breeders who raised over a thousand leopard geckos recommend low intensity lighting and a warm side nowhere near 100F. If they're successful with those temperature ranges, why push it?

[poison]

Mike, by any chance to you have a temp gun and a ambient temp reader? If so when you have time go outside barefoot and measure the ground then measure the air temp. You will see that the ambient temp does not have to be high at all to give you a 100F surface temp. I personally have seen a difference with offering wide range of temps. Animals are more active and better feeding responce then that of what "breeders" recommend. What makes you think that a leo in the wild would seek out cool shelter if the surface temp is 100F? Clearly in the picture the leo is using 104F so whats gonna stop them from using it in the wild other then getting eaten?. I personally don't believe that captive care of reptiles has been mastered yet. So thats why I would "push it". I still get people asking for help on animals even though their care is spot on to what breeders recommend.

[Namio]

Mike, by any chance to you have a temp gun and a ambient temp reader? If so when you have time go outside barefoot and measure the ground then measure the air temp. You will see that the ambient temp does not have to be high at all to give you a 100F surface temp.

Agreed. Not sure about relevance.

What makes you think that a leo in the wild would seek out cool shelter if the surface temp is 100F?

Without digging through the literature, my guess would be that a crespuscular/nocturnal ectothermic gecko, who behaviorally avoid exposing itself during the heat of the day (pretty much during most of the day light), have been physically adapted and fit to a milder temperature range. I imagine a long term exposure to temp over 100F will probably cook the poor geckos if not at least be harmful them. One important point I'd like to make is that just because an animal lives in a really hot/cold place does not mean they can withstand those extreme temperatures, and truth is, many of them can't. What many reptiles, amphibians, mammals, etc. have done is that they find different ways to thermal regulate (avoid extreme temp.) instead of "toughing it out."

Clearly in the picture the leo is using 104F so whats gonna stop them from using it in the wild other then getting eaten?

A staged photo shot tells very little about the whole story. I am sure these gecko can withstand a short term exposure to such high temperature.

I personally don't believe that captive care of reptiles has been mastered yet.

It is impossible to master captive care of all reptiles. But leopard gecko, being such a popular lizard, that their care is already quite adequate.

I still get people asking for help on animals even though their care is spot on to what breeders recommend.

Not ALL breeders are capable of giving top-notch husbandry advise, but certainly MANY breeders can.


Happy Thanksgiving, by the way. And I think this horse is officially dead.

[Hellsrage]

For the record I doubt you'll find any care sheet recommend either a warm side temperature of over 100F or having a bright basking spot, not to mention both.

You wont, the highest I've ever seen in a care sheet was 95F, but that wasn't for a basking light as it's generally never recommend by those with a large pool of knowledge on caring for them. The reason UTH are recommend is because Leopard Geckos get heat through their belly which in turn also aids in digesting food, and unlike a bright white light the UTH can be left on 24/7. Some people do have a spot with night (red/black/blue) bulb though, but keep in mind this is kept at a safe temp. I think one thing to keep in mind is that these are nocturnal geckos.

[poison]

Another thing to keep in mind is cats are also considered "nocturnal" yet they are active during the day. I've seen several species of "nocturnal" snakes basking in the open sunlight. I've seen "nocturnal" frogs croacking and feeding during the day.

[NatureLady]

THIS is getting way off topic way fast.

Gary...the point is...as always...do your researech and when you feel like you have done enough, do a bit more.

Good Pets/Bad pets? GOOD pets!!!
High/Low Maintenance? Low maintenance compaired to some other herps in the hobby world.

[kh2odragon]

Sorry daniel but i keep alot of reptiles includeing lepard geckos and yes a day light is a good idea to imatate day and night cycles, but a under tank heater under 1/2 the tank makeing "basking sand" is best to keep them warm and is best to be done under a rock cave or some kind off hide out.

[poison]

Sorry daniel but i keep alot of reptiles includeing lepard geckos and yes a day light is a good idea to imatate day and night cycles, but a under tank heater under 1/2 the tank makeing "basking sand" is best to keep them warm and is best to be done under a rock cave or some kind off hide out.

Hi, I too keep reptiles . I guess will will just have to agree to disagree