Key Takeaway:
- Heat mats, heat panels, heat emitters, ceramic heaters, heat lamps, heat tapes, and heat cables are the most common heating equipment.
- Leopard geckos are ectothermic creatures that need external heat to keep their bodies warm.
- In the wild, leopard geckos rely on heat from the sun and sun-heated rocks to keep their bodies warm. But for captive leopard geckos, you must install heating devices to maintain the required temperatures.
- Heat is important for leopard geckos as it helps with digestion, boosting appetite, and keeping the gecko active. Without heat, leopard geckos become vulnerable to diseases, and infections and could die.
- You should never use heat rocks in a leopard gecko enclosure because they can cause burns on the skin.
- Leopard gecko enclosures should have a thermal gradient. The tank should have a warm spot (80-85°F), a basking spot (90-95°F), and a cooling side (75-80°F)
Leopard geckos are ectothermic creatures, meaning they can’t produce their own heat. They rely on external heat sources to warm their bodies.
So, if you are interested in owning a pet leopard gecko, you need to learn a thing or two about heating a leo’s enclosure. External heat sources help maintain the ideal temperature range in the enclosure.
In the wild, leopard geckos can warm their bodies by basking in the sun or lying on sun-heated rocks.
However, things are a bit different in captivity because indoor temperatures may not be enough for your gecko.
That’s why you need to install artificial heat sources in the leopard gecko’s tank. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about leopard gecko heating requirements
Do Leopard Geckos Require Heat?
Yes. Leopard geckos need heat because they cannot produce their own. Just like other reptiles, they rely on external sources for thermoregulation.
As a rule of thumb, you must create a basking spot in the tank. Your leopard gecko will use this spot to receive heat from whatever heating sources you have in the tank.
Heat helps replicate a leopard gecko’s natural habitat. As a result, the gecko will live comfortably and thermoregulate without any trouble. The bottom line is leopard geckos need heat for their health and well-being.
How To Heat Leopard Gecko Tank?
Now that we’ve established that heat is important to leopard geckos, how do you go about heating the terrarium?
For starters, you must have the right heating equipment, a thermostat, and a thermometer as well.
The right heating equipment for leopard gecko tanks are heating pads or heating mats. Leopard geckos like to absorb their heat from the belly.
This explains why they lay down on warm rocks or surfaces. So, if you can provide heat from underneath, the better.
You’ll also need a halogen bulb to create a basking spot in the tank. The halogen bulb will heat the air above the gecko.
Remember you must create a thermal gradient in the tank. So, as you set up your heat sources, place them on one side.
At least you’ll have a hot side for your gecko to bask in and a cool side for your gecko to escape from excess heat.
Once you’ve set up your heat sources, introduce a thermostat to help you control temperatures automatically.
You’ll also need to include a probe thermometer to help you monitor the temperatures in the tank.
Will A Leopard Gecko Die Without Heat?
Yes, leopard geckos can die if they go for extended periods without heat. Remember, leopard geckos are cold-blooded animals and they rely on external sources to stay warm.
The lack of heat can affect the gecko’s health and well-being. Besides, leopard geckos may struggle to digest food if they lack underbelly warmth.
Additionally, the lack of heat may affect your leopard gecko’s appetite. That said, your leopard gecko may starve to death if you fail to provide heat.
Death due to the lack of heat doesn’t happen immediately. A leopard gecko can survive without heat for more than one month. During this period, they will depend on their tail fat reserves to survive.
Heating Equipment For Your Leopard Gecko
In the wild, leopard geckos rely on sun-heated rocks to stay warm. Besides, the warm desert temperatures are enough to keep them warm.
In captivity, things become different because heat isn’t readily available. You must rely on artificial sources to create a warm environment for your leopard gecko.
Here is a detailed discussion of the various heating equipment available for heating leopard gecko tanks:
Heat Lamps
Heat lamps are an effective way to replicate the warming effect of natural sunlight. Heat lamps can help you make a good basking spot for your leopard gecko.
You only need to mount the lamp on top of the screen mesh so that it can act as an overhead heat source.
Leopard geckos require a halogen heat bulb that’s 100W or 75W. Anything above 100W is too strong for leopard geckos.
Halogen heat lamps are ideal because they also help to light up the gecko’s tank during the day.
You should not leave heating lamps on at night as they can interfere with the gecko’s circadian rhythm.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters are also a decent way to heat a leopard gecko’s enclosure. So, assuming you want a heat source that doesn’t emit light, you can always use a ceramic heater.
Ceramic heaters are similar to heat lamps with the only difference being that they don’t emit light.
You can use ceramic heaters during the day and night without disrupting the circadian cycle of the leopard gecko.
Most leopard gecko keepers prefer to use Fluker’s ceramic heat emitter or ceramic heaters from Komodo, Exo Terra, and Arcadia.
Heat Emitter
Heat emitters are similar to ceramic heating devices. These devices provide heating without emitting light. You can use heat emitters during the day and at night.
Their ability to heat the enclosure without producing light makes them suitable for heating leopard gecko tanks.
Heat emitters are expensive but can help you save in terms of power bills. However, you need to be careful when using heat emitters because they can overheat.
Heat Panels
Heat panels are ideal heat sources for reptile owners. These panels are made of metal or plastic and they feature internal reflectors that generate heat
Heat Pads/Mats
Heat pads or mats should be the main source of heat for captive leopard geckos. Heat pads should be placed under the enclosure as they are quite effective at warming the gecko’s belly.
The heat generated from mats helps leopard geckos digest food and absorb nutrients effectively.
Heat pads should only be used with glass enclosures since they can withstand heat. You shouldn’t place heat mats below plastic tanks because the heat can melt the plastic.
Heat mats are ideal for use at night and during the day because they don’t produce light that can disturb the circadian rhythm of the gecko.
If you opt for heat pads that radiate infrared heat, make sure you test the temperatures rigorously before placing them in the tank. These heat pads are notorious for causing contact burns.
Heat Tape and Cables
Heat tapes and cables are popular heating equipment among reptile owners. While they are quite effective, they are best suited for heating multiple terrariums.
Unless you have multiple leopard geckos placed in several terrariums, there’s no need for heat tapes and cables.
Besides, heat cables and tapes need several electrical connections, making them a bit difficult to install or maintain.
Heat Rocks
As the name suggests, heat rocks are heating devices that resemble rocks. These rock-shaped devices are not ideal for leopard geckos because they can easily cause burns.
Remember, leopard geckos are supposed to lie directly on the rock to gain underbelly heat. So, if the rock becomes too hot, it’ll cause burns on the gecko’s skin.
Best Places to Put the Heating Equipment
You must place the heating equipment in a strategic place to help create a thermal gradient.
Place A Heating Mat Under The Tank
Heating mats are the best heating equipment for leopard gecko tanks. The heating mat should be placed under the base of the tank.
Luckily, heat mats come with adhesive surfaces that make it easy to attach them to the tank’s base.
The heating mat should be attached to one side of the tank. Ensure that the mat covers less than half of the tank’s bottom. This placement should help create a nice thermal gradient.
Remember to cover the heat mat or pad with a substrate. The leopard gecko should not be in direct contact with the heat pad.
Hang A Lamp or Heat Emitter From The Top
Apart from a heat mat, you’ll also need to install a heat lamp or ceramic heater on top of the tank.
An overhead heat source is quite effective at creating basking spots. Besides, these devices will help warm the air in the tank.
Ensure that you hang the device directly on the warm side of the tank. Ideally, the device should be directly above the heat mat. Remember you want one side to remain cool.
FAQs
What Is the Best Heat Source for A Leopard Gecko?
In the wild, leopard geckos derive heat from the sun and sun-heated rocks. But since that is impossible, you can only rely on a heat mat to heat the gecko’s underbelly.
For overhead heating, you should use a halogen lamp or a ceramic heater to create the effects of the sun.
How Hot Should A Leopard Gecko Tank Be?
leopard gecko tanks should have a cool side, a basking spot, and a warm spot. The Basking area is the hottest area and should be at least 90 to 95 degrees
Fahrenheit. The warm spot should be 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit while the cool side should be 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do Leopard Geckos Need A Heat Lamp?
Yes, leopard geckos need heat lamps while in captivity. A heat lamp should provide heat and lighting to the leopard gecko during the day.
Besides, heat lamps will help simulate the light and temperature differences between day and night.
Summary
Leopard geckos have particular temperature requirements that you can only achieve by installing heating devices in their enclosures.
Before you bring a leopard gecko home, you should know how to provide the required temperatures. In most cases, you can keep the leopard gecko warm with the help of heat mats, heat lamps, ceramic bulbs, or heat panels.
Remember to create a thermal gradient when installing your heat equipment. Finally, you should have a thermostat to help control the temperatures automatically.
