What Temperature Should A Leopard Gecko’S Tank Be At Night?

Leopard geckos are popular pet lizards that need specific temperature and humidity conditions. Getting their nighttime temperatures correct is crucial for their health and wellbeing.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Leopard geckos need their tank temperatures to stay between 70-75°F at night. Temperatures outside this range can negatively impact digestion and appetite. A temperature drop at night also supports their natural day/night cycle.

In this article, we’ll give you a complete guide to correctly regulating your leopard gecko’s nighttime temperatures. We’ll cover the ideal range, how to measure their environmental temps, the best heating and lighting setup, night temperature troubleshooting, and more tips for their thermal wellbeing.

What Is the Ideal Night Temperature for a Leopard Gecko?

Leopard geckos are cold-blooded reptiles that need proper heating and lighting to stay healthy. An ideal nighttime temperature for a leopard gecko tank should be:

Between 70-75°F

Experts recommend dropping the temperature in a leopard gecko’s enclosure to around 70-75°F at night. This aligns with the cooler ambient temperatures they would experience in the wild after the sun goes down.

Temperatures lower than 70°F can be stressful for leopard geckos and disrupt their digestion and immune system. Staying within 70-75°F will allow them to thermoregulate comfortably through the night.

A Drop from Their Daytime Temperature

In nature, ambient temperatures drop at night as the sun’s heat fades. Leopard geckos are adapted to this day/night temperature swing. During the day, aim for 88-92°F on the warm end of the tank, and around 75°F on the cool end.

At night, turn off overhead heating lamps and lower the tank’s overall temperature to 70-75°F.

This 10-15 degree drop at night is beneficial for leopard geckos. The lower temperature allows their bodies to rest and recharge. Maintaining the same hot tank temperature 24/7 can cause chronic stress.

Align With Their Natural Environment

In the arid grasslands and deserts of southern Asia where leopard geckos originate, temperatures can range from over 100°F during the day to below 70°F at night. Their bodies are evolutionarily adapted for a significant day/night temperature swing.

Recreating a similar temperature cycle in captivity is ideal for their health. Use under tank heating pads set on thermostats to keep ambient air temperature around 70-75°F at night. This more closely mimics the natural cooling they would experience sleeping in rocky crevices or underground burrows after sunset.

Providing an appropriate nighttime temperature drop allows leopard geckos to thermoregulate and rest their bodies optimally. Consult reptile care guides for specifics on creating the proper day/night temperature gradient based on tank size and room temperature.

How to Measure and Regulate Their Night Temperatures

Thermometers and Hygrometers

To properly monitor your leopard gecko’s environment, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment. Quality thermometers and hygrometers are essential for measuring both temperature and humidity levels (see top-rated models here).

Place probes inside the warm hide, cool hide, and ambient tank areas to get complete coverage. Digital models with remote monitoring are extremely convenient. For the most accurate readings, place probes right at gecko level, secured to the tank floor if possible.

Under Tank Heaters

Under tank heating pads, available at all major pet stores, help establish a hot spot for your gecko to self-regulate its body temperature. Use a thermostat probe in conjunction with the UTH to avoid overheating.

We recommend the Vivosun thermostat for reliable UTH temperature control both day and night.

Ceramic Heat Emitters

CHEs provide concentrated heat without light emission, making them ideal 24/7 heating solutions. Mount these above the tank and use a dimmer or thermostat to adjust output as needed. Consider using a clamp lamp for adjustable directional heating control.

CHE wattage will depend on factors like tank size and room ambient temperature.

Adjust Ambient Temp With Lights/Heating

To raise overall ambient temperatures at night, additional lighting or heating elements may be required depending on the room climate. As shown in this comparison table, optimal nighttime temperature ranges vary slightly based on different factors:

The best way to heat the overall tank is by using a ceramic heat emitter or radiant heat panel to warm the air. This will allow your gecko to thermoregulate properly between the warm hide and rest of the tank.

For lighting, low-intensity red bulbs are recommended at night as geckos cannot see this wavelength.

Setting Up Night Heating and Lighting Correctly

Turn Off Daytime Heat/Light at Night

Leopard geckos are nocturnal reptiles, meaning they are most active at night. To create a healthy environment that mimics their natural habitat, it’s important to have different daytime and nighttime temperatures in the tank.

During the day, the warm side of the tank should be about 88-92°F. This allows the gecko to properly digest food and regulate body temperature. At night though, the ambient temperature can be allowed to drop to 70-75°F which feels comfortable and natural for the nocturnal gecko.

To accomplish the temperature change, all daytime heating and lighting elements should be turned off at night. This includes overhead heat lamps, under tank heating pads (UTH), and visible light sources. The temperature drop mimics how it would change in nature after the sun goes down.

Use a Dimming/Switch Thermostat

To easily turn heat sources on and off on a daily schedule, invest in a dimming thermostat or power strip timer. These allow all heat elements to be regulated from a central device. Set it to turn everything off at the desired bedtime hour, and back on in the morning.

Provide a Heat Mat for Bellies

While overhead heating can go off at night, leopard geckos still rely on belly heat to properly digest food overnight. Provide a heat mat (UTH) on one side of the tank regulated by the thermostat. Keep this on 24/7 so it subtly warms the gecko’s stomach while asleep.

Choose a UTH size based on tank size as shown. The low wattage gently radiates through the ground to keep their bellies between 88-92°F at all times. Monitor with a digital thermometer.

No Bright Lights at Night

Finally, be sure there are no bright overhead lights illuminating the tank at night. Leopard geckos are sensitive to light pollution since they are used to dark nights. Bright lights can disrupt healthy sleep patterns.

If ambient temperature needs a boost, use a ceramic heat emitter. These provide heat while emitting no visible light. Or otherwise, rely on the belly heat mat for supplemental overnight warmth in an appropriately dim and quiet environment.

Troubleshooting Temperature Problems

Keeping your leopard gecko’s tank at the right temperature range is crucial for their health and well-being. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, it can cause issues like stuck shedding, loss of appetite, and more.

Here’s a guide to troubleshooting some common temperature problems in a leopard gecko enclosure.

Too Hot or Cold – Adjust Equipment

The ideal nighttime temperature range for leopard geckos is 70-75°F on the cool side and 80-85°F on the warm side. If the tank is outside this range, the first thing to check is your heating and lighting equipment.

If it’s too hot, switch to a lower wattage bulb in your ceramic heat emitter or downgrade to a smaller under tank heater. You can also raise the height of these heat sources to allow more air circulation. The placement of hides and decor can also impact heat distribution.

If it’s too cold, it’s likely an issue with your under tank heater or heat mat. Inspect them to ensure they are working properly and are regulated by a quality thermostat. Switching to a higher wattage heater may be necessary if adjusting the thermostat does not solve the problem.

Stuck Shedding – Increase Humidity

When leopard geckos have trouble shedding, it’s usually a sign that the tank humidity is too low. Shedding problems tend to arise when humidity drops below 40%, especially at night when geckos are more active.

To boost humidity, add a humid hide to the cool side of the tank filled with paper towels, moss or coconut fiber. Mist the tank decor more frequently and use a larger water bowl. You can also partially cover the mesh top with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to minimize ventilation.

Soaking your gecko in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes can also assist with stuck sheds. Just be sure to increase tank humidity going forward.

Appetite Issues – Double Check Temp

A gecko that is refusing food or eating less than normal may indicate an issue with the tank’s temperature gradient. Reptiles can be very sensitive to even subtle changes in optimal heat range.

Use your digital thermometers to carefully check both the warm and cool side temperatures again. Compare the readings to the proper nighttime temperature guidelines. Troubleshoot any hot or cold spots by adjusting your heating devices and thermostats.

Also inspect thermometers themselves to ensure proper function. Replace batteries if low. Swap out analog gauges for digital if possible, as they can be less accurate over time.

Getting your leopard gecko enclosure back to the right temperature can resolve appetite issues that arise from being too hot or cold. Just be patient – it may take a few days for feeding to get back on track.

More Leopard Gecko Night Temperature Tips

Modify Temps Seasonally

Leopard geckos are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. During cooler seasons, leopard geckos are less active and require slightly lower ambient temperatures at night according to ReptiFiles.

The ideal nighttime temperature range in winter is 70-75°F on the warm side and no lower than 65°F on the cool side.

Temperature Differences Within Tank

Maintaining a temperature gradient inside the terrarium is crucial so leopard geckos can self-regulate by moving between warmer and cooler areas as needed. Generally, there should be around a 10-15°F difference between the warm side (88-92°F at night) and the cool side (75-80°F at night).

Having an external under tank heater on one side of the tank helps establish this gradient.

Don’t Forget a Cool Side

While heating the warm side at night is vital, many owners forget that leopard geckos still require access to a cooler area inside their enclosure to prevent overheating. The cool side should never drop below 65°F at night. This gives your pet options to find its preferred body temperature.

According to research cited on ReptiFiles, the ideal temperature distribution in a leopard gecko tank at night is:

Following these leopard gecko nighttime temperature recommendations in your pet’s habitat helps support healthy digestion and activity levels.

Conclusion

Getting your leopard gecko’s nighttime tank temperature within the ideal 70-75°F range is crucial for keeping them healthy and comfortable.

By investing in good thermometers, providing a heat mat, regulating ambient temperatures, double checking their environment at night, and following all the tips covered here you can nail their proper nighttime thermal needs and support their biological rhythms.