When should Heat Mat be on for LeopardGeckos?

[CalypsosHeart]

I just installed a heat mat for my leopard gecko today. But im wondering when it should be on since we dont want it on 24/7. Would it be better on in the night or the day. I know it gets hotter in the desert in the morning and in the night its cooler, but it gets pretty low at nights without the mat. Somwtimes in the low 70s (f).

 

[acpart]

Ideally the heat mat should be on 24/7 (I know the sun doesn't shine in natural habitat that long, but rocks do retain heat). You will need a thermostat to keep it from getting too hot. It should be in the low 90's all the time.

Aliza

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi CalypsosHeart ~

Be sure to have a temperature gradient from warm side to cool side. A thermostat is necessary, just like Aliza mentions.

The cool end should be low to mid-70s F. Usually the cool end matches room temperatures.

Temperatures - A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer or a temp gun (and controlled by a thermostat set at 91*F/32.8*C):

• Warm end ground temperature: 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) underneath a leo's warm dry hide
• Cool end ground temperature: 70ish-75 F (21.1-23.9 C) Usually the cool end ground temperature matches the room temperature where the enclosure sits.
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the heat mat/UTH on 24/7. If you wish, during the night turn off overhead lighting/heating (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C).

 

[CalypsosHeart]

Thank you! Ill keep it around the 80s

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thank you! Ill keep it around the 80s

You're welcome.

I'm not sure whether you realize a leo needs warm end ground temps between 88-92*F in order to digest his food. If the warm end is lower than that, he may be unable to pass his food and suffer from impaction.

His cool end gives him options when the warm end is too warm for him.

A thermostat keeps the temps within an acceptable range when you're away from home.

 

[CalypsosHeart]

Okay ill try to higher it then. But is there any better time to have the heat mat on if i dont want it on all day?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You're welcome.

I'm not sure whether you realize a leo needs warm end ground temps between 88-92*F in order to digest his food. If the warm end is lower than that, he may be unable to pass his food and suffer from impaction.

His cool end gives him options when the warm end is too warm for him.

A thermostat keeps the temps within an acceptable range when you're away from home.

Okay ill try to higher it then. But is there any better time to have the heat mat on if i dont want it on all day?

It's very important to keep the heat mat on ALL day (~12 hours)!

If night temps in the room where the enclosure sits dip no lower than 67ish, it's perfectly alright to turn off the heat mat at night. $4 analog timers can do that job for you.

If you don't already have one, a thermostat is a must. A thermostat may save on electricity since it keeps the warm end within a certain narrow range. A thermostat also protects your leo from possible temperature spikes.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Have you been able to get a thermostat?

I use a Hydrofarm's Jump Start thermostat MTPRTC for my leo. It's available from Amazon.