Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Are you using an infrared bulb or simply a different red bulb?
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Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) squinting with seemingly no real cause
- Thread starter LindsayMayer
- Start date
LindsayMayer
New member
"Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb - Infrared"
Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb
Oh, wait a minute.
Doesn't he need UVA? Or can that come from the minimal light of an indirect bedroom window? That's what I've been doing. He's on the opposite end of my room (I have a small apartment bedroom) and I keep the blinds open during the day. It's not very bright (seeing as it's winter and I live in the woods) but it's definitely not complete darkness.
Also, question: I've read mixed things, but the general consensus seems to be to dust feeders two or three times a week. I feed my gecko every other day, which is four times a week. Is dusting for all of the feedings proper, or is dusting for only two of the feedings correct? Too much of anything is bad.
Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb
Oh, wait a minute.
Doesn't he need UVA? Or can that come from the minimal light of an indirect bedroom window? That's what I've been doing. He's on the opposite end of my room (I have a small apartment bedroom) and I keep the blinds open during the day. It's not very bright (seeing as it's winter and I live in the woods) but it's definitely not complete darkness.
Also, question: I've read mixed things, but the general consensus seems to be to dust feeders two or three times a week. I feed my gecko every other day, which is four times a week. Is dusting for all of the feedings proper, or is dusting for only two of the feedings correct? Too much of anything is bad.
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cricket4u
New member
Hi,
The bulb is actually not infrared. This is an infrared bulb. http://www.petmountain.com/product/...715/zoo-med-nocturnal-infrared-heat-lamp.html
It will be best to go with a CHE at night only if necessary. Here is some information on lighting. It is not a requirement to sustain life in leopard geckos.
Reptile Lighting Information
In regards to the supplementation, please read the caresheet. The thermometer you are using is very unreliable. Do you at least have a second one to compare for now?
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XoVictoryXo
New member
I have to say that these lamps I recently bought are excellent! So I am going to recommend them for your Randall.
Both of my albino's appear to be WAY WAY more active at night -out and about- climbing all over things - where as before with the red lamps I had- they spent a lot more time hiding. When the lights are on it doesn't appear to have much of a glow at all, its a very very faint purplish bluish glow. Just enough to view them at night hanging out
When these blow out (knowing my luck it will be shortly lol) I am switching to the ceramic heaters which have no light at all which would be my number 1 recommendation for your gecko. I only use additional overhead heat in the winter when its cold however- it is not necessary year round to maintain accurate temps.
thorrshamri
Moderator/The French Viking Moderathorr
As said before, no heating is necessary for leopard geckos at night. Room temperatures are enough.
If they are active at night because of heating, it is simply because heating stimulates their activity pattern, BUT they do need a temperature drop so that their metabolism gets some "rest"; this might cause a major metabolic issue on the long run- just like if humans were kept under the sunlight 24/7.
If they are active at night because of heating, it is simply because heating stimulates their activity pattern, BUT they do need a temperature drop so that their metabolism gets some "rest"; this might cause a major metabolic issue on the long run- just like if humans were kept under the sunlight 24/7.
XoVictoryXo
New member
Thorr has a very good point there.
But I have to raise an issue that in the winter time- the room temps are freezing here (NJ) It is 38 degrees here today. the room temp is 60 I only have space heaters in my home directed at our beds! at night it will drop way farther below that. I would no doubt send my geckos into brumation without the added heat at night. But you do have a good point, I will turn the rheostat down a bit at night to allow the drop of temps.
But I have to raise an issue that in the winter time- the room temps are freezing here (NJ) It is 38 degrees here today. the room temp is 60 I only have space heaters in my home directed at our beds! at night it will drop way farther below that. I would no doubt send my geckos into brumation without the added heat at night. But you do have a good point, I will turn the rheostat down a bit at night to allow the drop of temps.
LindsayMayer
New member
Why exactly are my thermometers unreliable, though? I know they are not cheap, but I don't believe that they have to be expensive to be accurate enough. I don't really need something that's down to the fractions of a degree I've tested them and they are as accurate as the digital thermostat that heats my house.
Anyway, I don't need any type of heat at night. My house's temperatures don't drop very much. I only keep my red bulb on during the day and turn it off at night (since it's winter, I'm only using an 8-hour day cycle) I know a CHE is better. I would like to pick one up eventually.
I've tested them and they are as accurate as the digital thermostat that heats my house.Anyway, I don't need any type of heat at night. My house's temperatures don't drop very much. I only keep my red bulb on during the day and turn it off at night (since it's winter, I'm only using an 8-hour day cycle) I know a CHE is better. I would like to pick one up eventually.
thorrshamri
Moderator/The French Viking Moderathorr
I agree: your thermometers don't need a 0.1°F precision. I see nothing wrong with them.Why exactly are my thermometers unreliable, though? I know they are not cheap, but I don't believe that they have to be expensive to be accurate enough. I don't really need something that's down to the fractions of a degree
LindsayMayer
New member
Question: how often do leopard geckos pass stools? I have only seen one or two stools (both present at the same time) a couple of days after I got him. They were solid and normal colored but didn't have any urates, but I suspect this is due to dehydration. He is eating well and is quite active, and hunting vivaciously. Could this just be because of dehydration and the stress of not only having a new enclosure, but also from being taken out a few times to change the substrate and add a UTH, etc? Perhaps stress on the digestive system from changing to a new diet (mealworms to crickets)? How often do they pass their waste? He was on sand previously, as you may know. There is the possibility of impaction but he was housed on sand for over a year and obviously is still alive... I could just be overreacting because I don't know any better about the topic!
Also, if it helps, I've fed him twice, every other day; Monday and Thursday have been his first full feedings (first time 5 dusted crickets, second time 7 plain crickets).
Just wanting to be sure
Also, if it helps, I've fed him twice, every other day; Monday and Thursday have been his first full feedings (first time 5 dusted crickets, second time 7 plain crickets).
Just wanting to be sure
thorrshamri
Moderator/The French Viking Moderathorr
Normally you will find stools every day or every other day. If your gecko had impaction, 1) his belly would be very hard to the touch 2) there would probably be prey regurgitation.
Hint: give him a warm bath in shallow (1") water, this should help the stools to be eliminated. 85°F for the water will do, for half an hour. This will also help finish his dehydratation issues for good.
What is happening now may be caused by a lack of heat on his belly. You shouldn't worry too much for now. As for sand, I use it too, as long as it is fine sand (such as ExoTerra's desert sand or Zoomed), NOT calcic sand (pure crap, and fairly dangerous in terms of impaction) and as long as you also leave a small dish with powdered calcium inside the tank.
Don't worry too much, no sh*t should happen. Oops. It's a metaphor, ok? :biggrin:
Hint: give him a warm bath in shallow (1") water, this should help the stools to be eliminated. 85°F for the water will do, for half an hour. This will also help finish his dehydratation issues for good.
What is happening now may be caused by a lack of heat on his belly. You shouldn't worry too much for now. As for sand, I use it too, as long as it is fine sand (such as ExoTerra's desert sand or Zoomed), NOT calcic sand (pure crap, and fairly dangerous in terms of impaction) and as long as you also leave a small dish with powdered calcium inside the tank.
Don't worry too much, no sh*t should happen. Oops. It's a metaphor, ok? :biggrin:
LindsayMayer
New member
Just making sure! He has some stools in his tank now, an every other day pattern Thank you for your information <3
Thank you for your information <3
LindsayMayer
New member
Ahahah, funny anecdote: I got home from school today after not seeing Randall since last feeding day (Saturday), and as soon as I sat on my bed he immediately ran to the end of his cage closest to me and stared at me with wide eyes. Then I left to go get food and he was staring at me through the doorway. When I came back to sit down and eat, he again was just staring at me. I'm sure he's come to associate me with food, now, since it's his feeding day, too! Hahaha. What a cutie.
LindsayMayer
New member
Lmao... umm that was odd! I was going to feed him, and when I was taking out his hides he randomly tried to bite me. Weird. Never done that before. And when I came back in the room he jumped back like he was scared... so strange.
bud1988
New member
Its ok, just make sure you are very slow and quiet. Also use the same soap every time ( Leo's don't like new smells at all.
LindsayMayer
New member
XoVictoryXo
New member
If he tried to bite you it means he just means he is hungry thats all LOL. Both of mine try to bite me all the time. I can assure you it doesnt hurt (THAT bad) lol
thorrshamri
Moderator/The French Viking Moderathorr
Try the same with an angry tokay, leachie or a Homopholis wahlbergii, this might result in a more painful bite, I can assure you :biggrin:;-)
XoVictoryXo
New member
LOL I had to google Tokay bite, SHEESH!
This closely resembles the mark left by my feisty Xena; although google produced some horrifying bloody images from leopard gecko bites!
This closely resembles the mark left by my feisty Xena; although google produced some horrifying bloody images from leopard gecko bites!
bud1988
New member
LOL I had to google Tokay bite, SHEESH!
This closely resembles the mark left by my feisty Xena; although google produced some horrifying bloody images from leopard gecko bites!
Ouch :shock:
thorrshamri
Moderator/The French Viking Moderathorr
Please use a warning for sensitive people before such pics
And it's nothing in comparison to a white-lipped python bite :lol:
And it's nothing in comparison to a white-lipped python bite :lol: