quick question, need to figure this out before i get my first gecko

Hi my name is Kristy, I currently have a Ball Python, love him to death but oh he is so stubborn and I dont want anymore, So I really want to get Leos. Any way I have read that they need Uv lighting and that they dont. So I figured I would ask cause I dont want to stress them out and have them die because I didn't take the time to figure it out first. So does any one know if they need special lighting? Or what do you all use.
Thank you for your time.
Kristy

Leos don't need special UV lighting. Most nocturnal reptiles don't. In fact, most people don't even use lights at all for their leos, since breeders house leopards in rack systems. These are heated using undertank heat tapes, such as flexwatt.

So no, no special light is required. What I do though is I buy those handy night-time bulbs to heat my 30 gallon exhibition tank. Keeps the cage warm and the light's not bright enough to keep me awake at night.

I just use an old aquarium tank light. I use it mainly to see my gecko. (although he tends to hang out in this humid hide)

Well if you live somewhere where the temperature is cold get a light with a night-time bulb or a infrared bulb because the UTH alone isn't enough to heat the geckos body temperature.You could also get a a bulb that is red because geckos can't see red light.Hope this helps

Yeah, special lighting probably wont hurt them at all, i don't see why it would. But they don't need it so don't get it, those lights tend to be pretty expensive. I just use regular incandescent bulbs for the day and infra-red bulbs for night time.

Where in Idaho are you Christy? I'm in Pullman, WA for school. Lightning with leos is not important, most of my geckos are in racks with under tank heaters. If you prefer lights I would use one of the nocturnal lights from a pet store, the aim is to hit 90 degrees in the hot end. Hope this helps, Chris.

I am in Coeurdalene so were are pretty close. Thanks for the info Those uv lights are really expensive.

Originally Posted by Sauradon

Lightning with leos is not important

No, I don't house my leos with lightning either.

What do you mean by stubborn?

Wayne

I love my bp to death but lately I have been having tons of trouble trying to get him to eat. I posted the problem in the Ball python discussion forum. If you know anything about them you should read it and see if you could give me any advice on getting him to eat or if I am missing something. I am really worried about him.
Kristy