is my leopard gecko cold?

[tom_P_is_a_G]

hi I recently brought a leopard gecko and my tank is at 28 degrees Celsius but when I hold my Leo his belly feels cold. he is only a juvenile not sure of the age yet. does this mean that he is to cold should I turn the temperature up? I don't want to make it to hot?

 

[Superleo98]

You definitely need to up the temperatures on the warm end of the Viv to 88-92 Fahrenheit.

Do you have a UDT(Under tank heater)? What is the temp of the cool end?

 

[tom_P_is_a_G]

ok I have turned the thermostat to 31 degrees, yes I have an UTH but it is underneath my tank, so the floor does not seem that warm should I cover it and move it inside. and the temp at the cool side at the moment is 27 but I can only get a difference of around 2 degrees any tips on how to get one side to cool down?

 

[kvnsu]

Well they are cold blooded creatures, so of course they will feel "cold" you are warm blooded

 

[tom_P_is_a_G]

ok thanks I was just worried because I read somewhere that if their belly feels cold it means they need to warm back up, sorry if this post is stupid its my first reptile kept and I want to get it right. also I was still wandering if anyone has any tips on getting a bigger difference between my cool and hot side? I can only get around 2 degrees Celsius difference, I have a 2 foot 10 gallon tank. I use a UTH on one side controlled by a thermostat.

 

[kvnsu]

Well your best chance is getting a bigger tank like a 20 gallon long, ATM I believe petco is having a dollar per gallon sale so it would be 20 bucks bigger tank=better handling thermal gradient

 

[Superleo98]

What type of substrate do you use? Sometimes the UTH can't get through thick tile.
It's hard to have a warm end and cool end in a 10 gallon. However just move the heat lamp to the right or left side instead of the center and see if that helps.
Also is the UTH under the warm hide?
Sorry for so many questions just trying to help

 

[tom_P_is_a_G]

I only use a few layers of paper towel waiting for my tiles to arrive, and yes the UTH is under the warm hide that's where he seems to be staying all the time, and I would rather you ask questions so that I can get a full answer.

 

[Superleo98]

Hmm. Trying feeling the paper towel where the UTH is. Is it warm?
If so, then I don't know why he may be cold....Maybe it was just your hand that was cool?

 

[Yuk]

UTH's can take a few days in some cases to warm up completely.

 

[tom_P_is_a_G]

ok thanks I will check him again when I can get him out properly I need to let him settle for a bit as I only just got him thanks for all your help.

 

[Completeleopard]

Hello and a warm welcome to Gecko's Unlimited!

Your Leo should feel cool to the touch from you, as you are warm blooded, they are cold, if they feel hot to you, something is wrong. Does he feel very cold?

Any chance of a picture of your enclosure?

I would leave you UTH to get to the acquired temperature for a bit, then tomorrow see how he is.

Is he eating? Pooping regularly?

 

[Aimless]

and, this might be a silly question, but is the probe for the thermostat over the paper towel on the warm end?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

ok I have turned the thermostat to 31 degrees, yes I have an UTH but it is underneath my tank, so the floor does not seem that warm should I cover it and move it inside. and the temp at the cool side at the moment is 27 but I can only get a difference of around 2 degrees any tips on how to get one side to cool down?

I recommend getting a longer enclosure, even a wooden one, say about 30 inches long. Leos grow quickly. Good idea to do the length from the beginning.

Recommended temperatures for all leos regardless of size
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Turn off the overhead lighting/heating at night (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures are particularly cool during the night.

I suggest upping the thermostat tp 32 C. Have you a digital thermometer with probe to verify the thermostat? Suggest taping both probes together and placing them under the warm dry hide.