Key Takeaway:
- Lighting is essential for leopard geckos as it helps maintain a natural day/night cycle, promotes skin health, boosts appetite, and improves mood.
- Leopard geckos only need light during the day, but not at night. Therefore, the light cycle of a leopard gecko should be 12 hours during winter or 14 hours during summer.
- Leopard geckos can be sensitive to light, meaning you should always use low-level lights to avoid harming or irritating their eyes.
- Leopard geckos can benefit from halogen, UVA, and UVB lights. However, you should use UVB lights in moderation, as too much UVB can affect your gecko’s health.
Leopard geckos are crepuscular creatures but they still need light. So, as much as they aren’t active during the day, daylight plays a crucial role in their cycle. Failure to provide daylight can throw off your gecko’s photoperiod.
So, if you are interested in having a pet leopard gecko, you must have the right lighting setup. This guide will give you insights into the ideal lighting setup for your leopard gecko.
Do Leopard Geckos Need Light?
Yes. Leopard geckos need light to help them maintain their day cycle. Remember, these geckos need to rest and they can only do so during the day.
So, if you’ve kept them in a room with little to no lighting, you’ll have to provide them with artificial lighting.
Without lighting, your leopard gecko will be confused and they’ll not know when to sleep, bask, or become active.
Do Leopard Geckos Need Special Lighting?
Leopard geckos don’t necessarily need any special lighting. However, you must use a soft light source to avoid harming or irritating the gecko’s eyes.
In addition, you should provide your Leo with UVB lighting. Leopard geckos that have access to UVB lighting are pretty healthy and happy.
UVB lighting is a good source for vitamin D. And as you know, vitamin D helps in calcium absorption.
However, your leopard gecko does not need any special lighting if it has access to natural light.
Are Leopard Geckos Sensitive To Light?
Yes. Some leopard gecko morphs can be sensitive to light. However, sensitivity depends on the gecko morph and the type of lighting.
Albinos and morphs with reduced pigmentation can be light-sensitive. That’s why you must use low light levels in their enclosure.
Additionally, you must ensure that there’s a big distance between the gecko and the light source.
“Normal” leopard geckos are not very sensitive to light. So, they’ll be okay once they get used to the lighting you provide. However, you don’t want to use bright lights that might irritate them.
Since leopard geckos can be sensitive to light, you must provide them with enough hiding spots in the enclosure. At least the gecko will have enough space to retreat when they feel too overwhelmed with the lighting.
Benefits Of Lights To Leopard Geckos
There’s a widespread belief that leopard geckos do not require light as it can damage their eyes. However, that is a misconception that you shouldn’t believe.
As much as “Leos” are used to living in low light conditions, they can benefit a lot from artificial light. Here are some of the known benefits you should know:
Regulating Day/Night Cycle
Most animals including geckos rely on light to regulate their circadian rhythms. They need light to know when to sleep, bask, eat, or rest. Without light, your leopard gecko’s circadian rhythm might be thrown off.
Vitamin D3 Synthesis
UVB light can help boost a leopard gecko’s metabolism. For instance, UVB light helps convert natural cholesterol in the gecko’s skin to pre-vitamin D3. Warmth will then convert the pre-vitamin D3 into vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 increases the gecko’s ability to store and use calcium. So, without vitamin D3, a leopard gecko would struggle to make use of the calcium in its diet. As a result, it will develop metabolic bone disease (MBD) and poor bone structure.
Promote Healthy Skin
UV light is beneficial to the gecko’s skin. It acts as a disinfectant, meaning it can help destroy bacteria and fungi on the gecko’s skin.
UV light increases pigment formation and stimulates the production of beta-endorphins. So, exposing a leopard gecko to UV light will improve the gecko’s skin health.
Why Would You Use Lighting In A Leopard Gecko Terrarium?
Leopard geckos may not be active during the day but they still need light to maintain their circadian rhythm. Besides, you have other reasons to add lighting to a leopard gecko terrarium.
Lighting helps decorate your terrarium. Leopard terrariums look much cooler with artificial lighting. However, you should only have the lights on during the day and switch them off at night.
Lighting can also play a huge role in the vital functions of the leopard gecko’s body. For instance, it helps in the production of vitamin D3. With vitamin D3, your gargoyle gecko can store and make use of the calcium in its diet.
You also need to have lighting in the terrarium if you wish to boost the immunity and skin health of your leopard gecko. As mentioned earlier, UV lighting can also help kill bacteria and fungi on the gecko’s skin.
Finally, lighting should keep your leopard gecko comfortable during the day.
Leopard Gecko Lighting Requirements
Leopard geckos do not require much when it comes to lighting requirements. Remember, these creatures are crepuscular, and they only need low-level light.
You can provide UVA lighting to improve your gecko’s mood, behavior, appetite, or well-being.
Leopard geckos may also benefit a lot from UVB lighting. UVB isn’t compulsory but it can help in the absorption of calcium. However, you must use UVB lighting in moderation to avoid irritating the leopard gecko.
Alternatively, you can use a halogen bulb as the primary light and heat source. However, you must use a proper wattage halogen bulb to avoid harming your gecko.
What Lighting Do Leopard Geckos Need?
Lighting is essential when it comes to boosting general well-being, improving the appetite, and in the formation or preservation of strong bones. Below is a breakdown of the various types of artificial lights you need to know about:
UVA
UVA lighting can help mimic a leopard gecko’s natural environment. Apart from creating a pleasant atmosphere, UVA can boost appetite and improve your gecko’s vision.
UVB
Leopard geckos don’t need UVB lighting but including it can stimulate calcium absorption. However, UVB must be used in moderation to avoid exposing your leopard gecko to health problems.
UVC
UVC should never be used in leopard gecko enclosures. You should only use it when you need to sterilize and disinfect the enclosure. However, you should never expose your gecko to UVC as it can harm the skin and eyes.
LED
You can use LED lights in your leopard gecko enclosure as they are safe and highly efficient. However, you must use a heat source as most LED lights do not give heat.
Halogen Bulb
Halogen bulbs are a good source of heat and light in a terrarium. However, you should ensure the halogen heat lamp you use should have a 30 to 100W power rating. You can use a halogen lamp if you don’t wish to provide UVB or UVA lighting.
Do Leopard Geckos Need Light At Night?
No. Leopard geckos don’t need any light at night. Therefore, you should switch off any lights at night to avoid disrupting the day/night cycle.
Most reptiles need darkness at night for at least 12 hours. So, don’t attempt to leave the red/blue lights at night as they can disrupt the circadian rhythm.
Besides, leopard geckos have eyes that help them navigate and hunt in total darkness. So, adding a nighttime light source will only stress them out.
Do Leopard Geckos Need Light During The Day?
Yes. Leopard geckos need lighting during the day. Light helps maintain the day/night cycle. Having the lights on helps your leopard gecko know it’s time to rest and bask.
If possible, you should place the gecko’s terrarium near a window so that the gecko can receive natural light from the sun. However, if your reptile room has no access to natural light, you can use a halogen lamp, LED light, UVA, or UVB lighting.
Ensure you use artificial light in moderation to avoid exposing your leopard gecko to any health conditions.
Do Leopard Geckos Need UVB Lights?
Leopard geckos can do without UVB lighting. As long as your gecko is exposed to natural light, you don’t need to add UVB lights to their habitat.
Nonetheless, you can use UVB lighting in moderation if your gecko is in a dark room with no windows.
UVB lights help geckos to produce or synthesize vitamin D3. The presence of vitamin D3 in the gecko’s body aids with the storage and absorption of calcium.
UVB vs UVA For Leopard Geckos
You’ve probably come across the discussion about UVB versus UVA for leopard geckos. Which type of UV light should you use? Well, your choice will be determined by what you want your gecko to gain.
However, using both types of UV lights in moderation will benefit your leopard gecko. UVA lighting will help you regulate behaviors such as mood, appetite, and mating.
UVB lights, on the other hand, should help in the formation of strong bones and the prevention of metabolic bone disease.
When using UVB or UVA lighting, ensure you switch it off at night. Both types of lighting should only be used during the day.
Do Leopard Geckos Need Heating Or Lighting?
Leopard geckos need both lighting and heating. However, heating is more important because leopard geckos are ectothermic.
They depend on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature. That said, you must provide heat sources in their terrarium.
Leopard geckos need a basking area with a temperature range of 90 – 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should also provide a warm spot with a temperature range of 80 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, you can lower the temperatures to a range of around 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lighting is also crucial when it comes to maintaining the day/night cycle. However, you don’t need to use any artificial lighting if your gecko’s terrarium receives natural daylight. You should only provide artificial lighting if your enclosure is in a dark room.
Leopard Gecko Light Cycle
The light cycle of a leopard gecko is not complicated. Your gecko only needs 12 hours of light. But you can adjust the number of hours to 14 during summer.
Leopard Gecko Lighting Schedule
Creating a lighting schedule for your leopard gecko is always a good idea. You learn when to switch on the lights and when to switch them off.
Here is a table that you can refer to when creating a lighting schedule during the summer and winter seasons.
Summer
| Daytime (8 am – 10 pm) | Night Time (10 pm – 8 am) | |
| UVB Light | On | Off |
| Basking Light | On | Off |
| Heat Source | Off (especially when the basking light is on) | On |
Winter
| Daytime (8 am – 8 pm) | Nighttime (8 pm – 8 am) | |
| UVB Light | On | Off |
| Basking Light | On | Off |
| Heat Source | Off (Especially when the basking light is on) | On |
How Many Hours Of Light Do Leopard Geckos Need?
Leopard geckos need 12 hours of daylight during winter and 14 hours during summer.
When Should Leopard Gecko Lights Be Turned On?
Lights should be turned on at around 8 am during summer and winter. You can then turn them off at 8 pm or 10 pm depending on whether it is winter or summer.
How To Set Up Lighting In A Terrarium
Now that you understand the importance of lighting for leopard geckos, how do you set up your preferred lights in the terrarium? Well, the setup can differ depending on the type of lights you use.
However, all lights must be placed on the top side of the terrarium. A complete lighting setup requires you to have the required light fixtures, clamps, or hooks.
Setting up the required lights is as simple as screwing the bulbs to the holder and placing them on the tank’s top. You can also suspend the bulb at a safe distance to avoid harming the gecko.
Tips And Tricks For Using Lighting
Here are some tips that should help you create the perfect lighting setup for your leopard gecko:
- Place the lights directly above the vivarium to avoid damaging or irritating their sensitive eyes
- The light bulb power should match your tank size. Never use a powerful UVB light bulb as it can affect your gecko’s health.
- You should set the light at a favorable distance. Ideally, the light should be at least six inches above the gecko. But if your vivarium has rocks, branches, and a 3D background, the light should be six inches above the terrarium’s highest point.
- If you use LED lighting, you’ll need to add a heat source since LED lights don’t produce any heat.
- Use lights with dimmable switches so that you can reduce brightness during the evening. By doing so, you’ll replicate a more natural environment.
- You should never leave lights on at night as they can interrupt the gecko’s circadian rhythm. Also, red and blue nighttime lights shouldn’t be used for more than two hours.
- Have enough hiding spots in the terrarium just in case the gecko needs to get away from the light.
Summary
We’ve now established that lighting is a crucial part of a leopard gecko setup. So, the crepuscular nature of leopard geckos should not stop you from adding light to the terrarium.
However, you’ll only need to add artificial lighting if your terrarium doesn’t have access to natural light.
Leopard geckos should be fine with either UVB, UVA, LED, or incandescent light bulbs. Nonetheless, you should never use lights at night as it can disrupt the leopard gecko’s day/night cycle.
