Proper Temperature for Geckos

As the owner of a pet gecko, you will, of course, want to know how best to care for it. All of the species in the gecko family come from relatively warm, humid climates, and they are cold-blooded. Therefore, it is important to maintain a climate that is to your gecko's liking for her continued good health. Different geckos have different temperature requirements, but there are similarities across the family.

  1. Temperature Requirements

    • Geckos of the species Phelsuma, commonly referred to as "day geckos," are just that--geckos that are more active during the day. This stands in contrast to most other types of geckos, which are largely nocturnal.

      However, apart from that major difference, many of the care requirements are similar, including temperature. Most geckos like an environment where the ambient temperature is 81 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (or 27 to 31 degrees Celsius). At night, the temperature should drop to about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or 21 to 27 degrees Celsius).

      Geckos also require a basking spot in their environment where the temperature is typically a few degrees warmer than the normal ambient temperature of the habitat. This helps your gecko to better digest his food.

      But temperature is nothing without proper humidity. Geckos need an environment that is controlled for humidity as much as it is controlled for temperature. Humidity requirement vary by species.

    Crested Geckos

    • Crested geckos, which were believed to be extinct until 1990, are something of an anomaly among gecko species. While most other geckos like ambient temperatures between 81 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 31 degrees Celsius), crested geckos do not do well in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Daytime temperatures should stay between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (24 and 27 degrees Celsius), and nighttime temperatures should not dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (or 21 degrees Celsius).

      Not all species of geckos are available as pets. However, as a concerned and responsible pet owner, you want to make sure that you are providing the proper environment for your pet gecko. Checking a site such as GeckoList can help provide you with more general information about your particular species of gecko. This includes specific habitat, humidity, temperature and food requirements. It can also tell you more about where your gecko is from in the world.