With their eye-catching spots and scales, leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet lizards around. But do these desert-dwelling reptiles actually bask like other lizards? If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Leopard geckos do not truly bask like other reptiles, but they do need heat and specific temperatures to thrive.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll take an in-depth look at leopard gecko behavior to understand why they don’t bask, their specific heating requirements, how to set up an ideal temperature gradient, and much more.
Leopard Geckos Don’t Actually Bask
Leopard geckos are crepuscular, not heliothermic
Unlike other reptiles that bask, leopard geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during twilight hours at dawn and dusk rather than the full heat of day. They therefore do not rely on external heat sources like rocks or sun to regulate their body temperature.
Instead of basking, leopard geckos prefer to hide during the day and come out when temperatures are cooler.
Species that do bask, like bearded dragons, are known as heliotherms – their body temperature fluctuates with external temperatures. Leopard geckos however keep their temperature more constant around 89°F regardless of minor environmental shifts.
This shows they do not actively seek out hot basking spots to raise their internal heat.
They don’t actively seek out hot spots to raise body temperature
While leopard geckos enjoy a hot spot around 88-92°F on the warm end of their habitat, they spend relatively equal time throughout the tank and do not cluster under the heat lamp for hours at a time like basking lizards.
According to the Leopard Gecko site, leopard geckos only spend about 30% of their time in the warm hide.
The ambient temperature of the rest of tank should be in the 70s or low 80s. Leopard geckos move between these zones casually throughout the day and night instead of planted for long basking stretches under their heat lamp.
Their activity patterns demonstrate they do not strongly thermoregulate like dedicated basking species.
Prefer temperatures between 88-92°F
While enjoying the occasional warmer spot, leopard geckos generally thrive at temperatures between 88-92°F. This is warmer than room temperature but does not require intense overhead lamps. As evidenced by the table below comparing temperatures, what may seem hot to humans is still on the cooler end for leopard geckos.
| Ambient Temperature | Leopard Gecko Comfort Level |
| 70-75°F | Cool end of comfortable range |
| 75-82°F | Ambient comfort zone |
| 82-88°F | Preferable temperature range |
| 88-92°F | Ideal hot spot |
| >93°F | Too hot |
As the above data displays, leopard geckos do best slightly warmer than room temperature but don’t require extremely hot basking temperatures over 100°F. This further supports why they don’t exhibit strong basking behavior like other herptiles.
Heating Is Still Crucial for Leopard Geckos
Need warm side and cool side of tank
Leopard geckos are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. To remain healthy, leopard geckos require a temperature gradient inside their terrarium with a warm side and a cooler side ranging from 75°F to 88°F.
The cool end should be around 75-80°F while the warm end should reach 88-92°F measured by the ground surface temperature. This allows the gecko to thermoregulate by moving between the warm and cool areas as needed.
Under Tank Heaters or ceramic heat emitters recommended
The most common heating devices used for leopard geckos are under tank heat mats, ceramic heat emitters, and incandescent bulbs. Under tank heat mats or ceramic heat emitters are often preferred because they heat the warm side of the tank from below, allowing the gecko to warm itself by contact with the heated surface.
An incandescent bulb emits infrared radiation to heat the air and surrounding surfaces. Ceramic heat emitters provide heat without visible light, allowing for a day/night cycle.
Heat mats should cover 1/3 of tank
Heat mats specifically designed for reptile use should be positioned under one side of the tank, covering around 1/3 of the floor space. The heat mat area forms the warm end while the remainder without direct heating forms the cool end.
Using a thermostat is crucial to control the heat mat and prevent overheating past the optimal 88-92°F range. The heat mat itself can reach over 100°F if not regulated.
Day and night temperature gradients
Maintaining the proper temperature gradient is vital day and night. Ceramic heat emitters allow for focused heat on the warm end 24 hours a day. For daytime heating, non-light emitting incandescent red bulbs or very low wattage white bulbs can also be used to avoid disturbing the gecko’s day/night cycle.
At night, all light sources should be turned off, and cage temperatures allowed to drop by a few degrees on the cool end, down to 70-75°F. The key is allowing a 10-15°F difference between warm and cool ends for proper thermoregulation.
Setting Up Proper Temperature Zones
Warm hide between 88-92°F
Leopard geckos require a warm hide set to 88-92°F to aid digestion and maintain healthy immune system function (The Spruce Pets). This confined warm area allows the cold-blooded reptile to efficiently raise its body temperature as needed.
Without access to adequate warmth, leopard geckos can develop health issues over time.
Cool hide around 75-80°F
In contrast to the warm hide, leopard geckos need access to a cool hide around 75-80°F to regulate their body heat and prevent fatal overheating. Having both a warm and a cool hide allows these reptiles to thermoregulate by moving between temperatures zones (ZooMed).
Leopard geckos typically spend most of the day sheltering in their preferred temperature hide.
Basking area of 93-95°F optional
While not all leopard gecko owners provide an additional basking area, some reptile experts recommend offering a hot spot of 93-95°F. This allows leopard geckos an optional place to raise their body heat even higher than the warm hide for improved digestion and calcium absorption.
Basking areas often use overhead ceramic heat emitters to concentrate heat in one section of the tank.
Use thermometer to monitor temperatures
Digital thermometers and temperature guns help leopard gecko owners easily monitor the temperature gradients in the tank habitat. Checking temperatures daily ensures the heating elements continue functioning properly over time.
Consistent temperatures in the suitable ranges keep leopard geckos healthy and active.
Adjust heat sources as needed
Based on regular temperature readings, owners may need to adjust heat sources to maintain optimal zones. This might involve changing the wattage of heat bulbs, raising/lowering heat fixture heights, using a thermostat, or adding/removing supplemental heating pads.
Keeping temperatures in the goldilocks zones for leopard geckos requires attentive habitat management.
Other Leopard Gecko Heating Essentials
No light heating at night needed
Leopard geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. At night, there is no need to provide additional lighting that can disrupt their natural sleep-wake cycle. Simply maintaining an ambient temperature above 65°F (18°C) is sufficient.
Light at night can stress leopard geckos and cause health issues over time.
Keep ambient temperature above 65°F
Leopard geckos are from desert regions and can tolerate cooler temperatures at night. However, temperatures should not drop below 65°F (18°C). This can be accomplished by using an under tank heater on one side of the tank to create a temperature gradient.
The ambient air temperature on the cool side can be around 75°F (24°C).
Avoid overheating with thermostats
It is critical to regulate heat sources and avoid overheating leopard geckos. Reptiles cannot effectively regulate their body temperature and overheating can be fatal. Always use thermostats with under tank heaters and heat lamps.
Ideal hot spot temperatures under the basking area are 88-92°F (31-33°C). Aim for a temperature range in the tank, not a single fixed temperature.
Provide heat lamp for supplemental daytime heating
In addition to under tank heaters, overhead heat lamps can provide supplemental daytime heating to create a warm basking area. Place the heat lamp over one side of the tank to give your leopard gecko a temperature gradient.
The hot basking area under the lamp can reach ideal temperatures of 88-92°F (31-33°C) if controlled by a thermostat. Turn off overhead heating at night when leopard geckos are sleeping.
Signs of Improper Heating
Providing adequate heat for leopard geckos is crucial to keeping them healthy and active. If their environment is not heated properly, they can exhibit concerning behaviors and physical changes.
Lethargy or Loss of Appetite
Leopard geckos are naturally active reptiles that explore their habitat and hunt for food often when kept at proper temperatures. But geckos that are too hot or cold will become extremely lethargic and show little interest in eating or moving around.
According to the popular leopard gecko care site ReptiFiles.com, appetite loss is one of the most obvious signs that a leopard gecko’s enclosure is not heated correctly. Without adequate heat they cannot properly digest their food, so they instinctively stop eating.
Staying in Hides All Day
While leopard geckos do spend a fair amount of time in their warm hides, they should come out daily to bask, explore, and eat. Geckos trying to escape excess heat or cold will practically live in their hides around the clock.
Reptile Magazine notes that if a leopard gecko refuses to emerge from its humid hide after several days, improper temperatures are likely to blame. Making the necessary heating adjustments should bring them out of hiding.
Seeking Out Heat Sources or Avoiding Them
Healthy leopard geckos are active heat regulators. When they get too hot, they move to a cooler area, and when they get too cold, they find warmer spots. So if a gecko is constantly clinging right next to its heat mat or lamp, it indicates that the overall enclosure temperatures are too low.
On the other hand, a gecko trying to stay as far away from all heat sources as possible signals that the habitat is getting much too hot for their comfort. These behaviors demonstrate that heating adjustments need to be made.
Change in Appearance or Shedding Issues
Proper heating plays a key role in leopard gecko digestion, hydration, and skin health. So ongoing heating problems can cause physical changes over time, like:
- Weight loss or dehydration
- Lackluster skin, dull colored markings
- Shedding difficulties like unshed skin sticking
- Tail drop from prolonged stress
Per veterinarian Dr. Branson Ritchie’s leopard gecko care guidelines, these issues indicate heating was not ideal at some point. Getting their environment back to the right temperatures can improve appearance.
| Properly Heated Enclosure | Improperly Heated Enclosure |
| Normal appetite and activity levels | Lethargy and appetite loss |
| Out and about often | Hiding excessively |
| Seeks out preferred temperatures | Avoids heat source or clings to it |
| Thrives physically | Weight loss, shedding issues, dullness |
Conclusion
In the deserts and arid grasslands of their natural habitat, leopard geckos have adapted to become crepuscular reptiles with specific heating needs. While they don’t bask like some other lizards, setting up the proper temperature gradient in their habitat is still essential.
With their preferred warm hide, cool hide, and optional basking zone, these unique geckos can thrive. By understanding their specialized heating behaviors and requirements, leopard gecko owners can help provide the ideal environment.
With the right setup and heating, a leopard gecko makes for an intelligent, low-maintenance reptile companion. Their unique behaviors and appearances continue to make them one of the most popular pet lizards today. Just remember—no true basking required!
