[Jmeyer]

Do platyurus need a heat lamp or can they be kept at room temp?

[MauricesExoticPets]

Heat lamps dry the air rather quickly and this is something you want to avoid with H. platyurus. If a night light is needed for observation, there are quite a few options for cool lights; LEDs, indiglow, red florescents etc. They don't mind a little light so this is not so much of an issue.

A better option is a section or two of heat tape depending on the enclosure size to create a temperature gradient from around the mid 70s to the mid 80s (both in degF). I prefer to mount the heat on a side or back of the aquarium, it's where they prefer to be anyway. Use some method to control the temps.

I know you didn't ask but I figured I'd add;

Keeping about 75 to 90% of the enclosure covered will help with humidity, which you want to maintain well above that which is normal in most heated and air conditioned homes. 60%RH to 70%RH on average is good. Daily misting in the early evening and again in the morning works wonders at keeping them well hydrated. I use a simple DIY method to keep the humidity up, here is the first link I came across that details the method; The $10 Hermit Crab Tank Humifier

Maurice Pudlo

[Ricky_81]

Originally Posted by Jmeyer

Do platyurus need a heat lamp or can they be kept at room temp?

I have one heat lamp on one side, and one rainforest uv lamp on the other side. So they can decide if they want some heat, or not. And also for their UVA (heat lamp, for well being) and UVB (for their calcium metabolism) needs.
Most of the time they stay on the cool side.

They can live at room temperature, but some degrees celcius higher is better for their digestion of food.

[alexdwsn12]

Thanks for giving this advice. It is really helpful to me. It is very clear and specific so there is no problem at all.
Nice work!

[MauricesExoticPets]

We have a loose platy male in our home, so I can vouch that they will survive at room temperature, 80degF in our home (thank you goes out to all the monitor cages).

Room temperature is a different thing for you than it is for me, and to say room temperature is ok is like saying they do fine outside, outside where? Surely not everywhere and surely not in every home.

I have friends that keep their home a chilly 65degF day in and day out, not good for this gecko at all. Our home, at least where the monitors are, room temps are fine. As well may be the case in some folks reptile rooms, but to say in general terms that room temps are ok is a very risky thing to claim.

In their home range, temps and humidity are pretty high year round, look a bit closer at the species and where it is from, you'll find that room temperature and humidity is very far from ideal.

Maurice Pudlo

[Ricky_81]

Room temperature is a different thing for you than it is for me, and to say room temperature is ok is like saying they do fine outside, outside where? Surely not everywhere and surely not in every home.

You are right. I just had my own room temperature in mind, which is a comfortable temperature for humans, and it's about 74 Fahrenheit I believe. At the moment it's some degrees higher, because it's summer. The RAH is 54%.
If I let my Platy loose in my house, he feel quite comfortable I guess. Apart from the lack of food and UV light.

So the question was if this gecko can live at room temperature. Yes, at normal room temperature it's able to survive, but not advisable.

[MauricesExoticPets]

UVB light is not required.

I'm sure the one we have out is finding the odd insect around the many enclosures we have. It's been out for over a year now, we see it every once in a while, it's interestingly enough doing fine. When I do see it I make an effort to feed it as many insects as it will consume prior to remembering it is supposed to be scared of people.

I'd be inclined to capture it if it were female, but as its a male I am in no real rush to capture the little guy.

Maurice Pudlo