have a question about my gecko always being in his cold house

[westchem]

I've have my 6 month Leo for two weeks now his permanent dwelling has been his cold house never has really been in his hot house. is that ok.

 

[ChiTea]

What are the temps in the following areas:

Warm hide (inside):
Air temp on warm side:
Air temp on cool side:

Maybe the warm side is too hot?

 

[westchem]

air temp in warm hide 82
floor temp in warm hide 94

floor temp in cool hide 76
air temp in cool hide 75

 

[westchem]

air temp in warm hide 82
floor temp in warm hide 94

floor temp in cool hide 76
air temp in cool hide 75

 

[ChiTea]

Hmm... I'd say 94 is too hot for his little feet. I'm guessing you have a UTH? Is it hooked up to a thermostat?

 

[westchem]

I have tile substrate is what I'm using. do u think the tile is keeping it to hot. also what is uth. no it's not hooked up to a thermastate will that keep it to a better temp.

 

[ChiTea]

UTH stands for 'Under Tank Heater'. There are heat mats that stick on to the bottom of a tank - belly heat is very important for a gecko's digestion. I highly recommend you buy one, and get a thermostat at the same time (most people on this site use this one: Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden)

It may be the tile if you don't have a heat mat. What sort of overhead lighting do you have? Are you using anything to heat up the warm side?

 

[westchem]

yes i do have heating mat one the warm side. i'm going to purchase a thermostat today. im using the daylight reptile bulb 40 watts. I use 60 watts for winter time & 40 watts for summer time.

 

[ChiTea]

I bet the heating mat is the problem - it's too hot. Before I got a thermostat, my gecko wouldn't go near it either, but he does now. I set mine for 89 degrees. Maybe try turning the mat off and then see if he goes in.

 

[westchem]

ok thank you for your help

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

air temp in warm hide 82
floor temp in warm hide 94

floor temp in cool hide 76
air temp in cool hide 75

westchem ~

Just curious what type of a thermometer are you using to get these readings?

12*F is a huge difference between the floor temp and the air temp inside the warm hide!

Might you actually mean air temps ABOVE the warm and cool hides?

 

[Geckologist.tj]

Are the hides similar? Sometimes, especially young leos, will opt for the most secure hide rather than the hide with the best temperatures.