Heat lamps vs heating pad

[SafariWinter]

Hi I have 2 female leopard geckos named Winter my 11 month old and safari my 7 month old I am udeing a heat lamp know but I want to get heating pads for them I will be getting a male in 1 week so I need to know witch is beter thanks

 

[kholtme]

heat mats are better! They are the only option, leopard geckos need belly heat, they dont bask!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi ~

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited! Sounds as if you have the leo habit.

I recommend a 90 day incubation period before any new gecko is introduced to your current ones.

Choose under tank heat mats 1/2 the size of the floor area. Let us know the size of your enclosure(s). We have recs.

 

[SafariWinter]

Thanks winter is in a ten gallon and safari is in a five and a half gallon an my new male will be in a ten gallon

 

[Keeboard]

Definitely heat mat. As said in the first reply, Leopard geckos aren't basking lizards and get their heat from their belly. It should cover 1/3 of the floor area. Only use a lamp if the heat mat isn't enough heat during the winter, unless you can get a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter).

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks winter is in a ten gallon and safari is in a five and a half gallon an my new male will be in a ten gallon

You are welcome! I reconsidered my earlier recommendation.

10 gallon vivs are the bare minimum and marginally "suitable" only for juvie leos.

• A UTH 1/3 the area of the base is the safest recommendation for the 10 gallon, because within a 10 gallon viv there is no wiggle room regarding the thermal gradient.
• Within a 10 gallon it's hard to maintain a good thermal gradient and include 3 hides: warm moist, warm dry, and cool dry.
• Within a small enclosure there is little space for exercise.

 

[SafariWinter]

Hey a quick update my girls now share the same tank and my male is in the smallest on he is only 3 weeks old

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hey a quick update my girls now share the same tank and my male is in the smallest on he is only 3 weeks old

Can you be on the lookout for big box pet store sales? Frequently I notice $-per-gallon sales at my local store.

If Winter and Safari are different sizes, Safari could get bullied.

 

[JessJohnson87]

Some will have black Friday deals to, big box and mom & pop stores.

 

[SafariWinter]

Yes winter is bigger but I don't feed in the tank I feed them sepritly and the are always togather