Leopard Gecko Lighting Requirements

Leopard geckos are small insect-eating lizards native to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. They're popular in the pet trade and require relatively simple care. Unlike many other lizards, leopard geckos do not need significantly special lighting and heat arrangements. Pet owners can meet their needs by using just a few inexpensive lighting fixtures and bulbs.

  1. Temperature

    • According to Animal World, leopard geckos need temperatures between about 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Reptile Channel suggests that you can drop night temperatures as low as 64 degrees Fahrenheit to simulate these lizards' native desert habitat. A heat lamp on one end of the tank, switched off at night, can easily produce the required gradient and nighttime temperatures. According to Reptilecare, many gecko owners choose 40- to 60-watt incandescent bulbs.

    Nighttime Darkness

    • Leopard geckos are naturally nocturnal and rarely bask in the sun in their natural habitat. However, they do need darkness at night to help them regulate their internal clocks. Lizard owners who wish to view their geckos by night should turn off any white lights in the enclosure and use blue or red lights instead. According to Animal World, these colors do not disturb the geckos and can provide some additional heat in cold climates.

    UV Lighting

    • Many pet lizards require UV lighting to help them absorb calcium properly. In these animals, a lack of adequate UV exposure causes a condition called metabolic bone disease. However, leopard geckos are not at significant risk for this problem since they rarely bask in nature and are typically awake at night. Still, the presence of a UV light or direct sunlight will not hurt them. Pet owners who do include UV lighting in their leopard gecko enclosures should provide shelter in the form of a hiding area or hollow rock. UV lighting can also increase cage temperature, so it may affect the amount of heat lighting required.