Leopard gecko seems to prefer cold hide

[Milkway]

My leopard gecko, which I have had for 10 months. Seems to be sleeping in his cold hide instead of his warm hide during the day. I've checked for leftover insects and there are none. He knows it is warm there aswell, he would always sleep there before 3 days ago. I know his heating is right too, it is about 87 degrees farinheit. Thanks for any awnsers!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Please share a photo of your 10 month old leo's enclosure.

Is ~87*F the temp inside his warm hide? What is the temp inside his cold hide?

Your leo will benefit from a good thermal gradient: warm end and cool end.

Temperatures - A temperature gradient from warm to cool maintains your leo's health. Here's a temperature guide for all leopard geckos as measured with the probe of a digital thermometer or a temp gun (and controlled by a thermostat set at 91*F/32.8*C).

Place the thermostat's probe and a digital thermometer's probe together right on top of the substrate underneath the warm dry hide. If you use a UTH + a CHE you'll need 2 separate thermostats, because ground and air temperatures are substantially different.

• Warm dry hide ground temperature: 88-92 F (31.1-33.3 C) inside a leo's warm dry hide.
• Warm humid/moist hide: Also place the humid hide 100% on top of the heat mat. Keep temperatures similar to the warm dry hide.
• Cool dry hide ground temperature: 70ish-75 F (21.1-23.9 C) Usually the cool end ground temperature matches the room temperature where the enclosure sits.
• no greater than 82ish F (27.8ish C) air temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the warm end
• no greater than 75 F (23.9 C) air temperature - 4 inches (10 cm) above ground on the cool end

Leave the heat mat/UTH on 24/7. If you wish, during the night turn off overhead lighting/heating (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures drop lower than 67ish*F (19.4*C).

 

[Milkway]

I have a lazer gun that measures temps

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

View attachment 49092View attachment 49094View attachment 49093

I have a lazer gun that measures temps

Is your leo eating well, shedding well, and pooping regularly? If so, perhaps it's just a summer change in habits?

1. How long is your leo's enclosure?
2. What is your heat source?
3. If an under tank heat mat, what are it's dimensions?
4. Please place both enclosed hides side-by-side and use the open log hide as a "cold hide" as far from the other hides as possible. When temps settle, please remeasure.
   
   Your "humid" hide actually becomes your "cold" hide. Your "new" humid hide should be close to the warm DRY hide in temps.
   
   
5. Relocate the thermostat's probe INSIDE your warm DRY hide. It is OK for the warm dry hide to sit on top of the thermostat's cord.

 

[Milkway]

He is eating well, he shed recently, and is mostly pooping every other day. His tank is 32 in long and 18 in deep. I only have a heat mat that runs 24/7 and is 12 in by 16 in. This morning I took away his cold hide for 30 minutes and then put it back. He has been sleeping in his warm for most of the day. If he goes back to his cold hide tomorrow, I'll do what you advised.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

He is eating well, he shed recently, and is mostly pooping every other day. His tank is 32 in long and 18 in deep. I only have a heat mat that runs 24/7 and is 12 in by 16 in. This morning I took away his cold hide for 30 minutes and then put it back. He has been sleeping in his warm for most of the day. If he goes back to his cold hide tomorrow, I'll do what you advised.

Have you snugged the heat mat up to the warm end? I could not tell your enclosure was that long just by looking at your photo. With a 32 inch long enclosure and a 12 x 16 inch heat mat your leo should be
set! There's probably room for BOTH enclosed hides directly over your mat.

Please locate the thermostat's probe directly underneath the warm dry hide. That's the temp your leo will feel when she's in there.

Have you verified your lazer gun temps with a digital thermometer with a probe?

 

[Milkway]

Good news, he is back to sleeping in his warm hide. I will make sure to put the probe in his hide. I have checked that the lazer gun is correct as well. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Good news, he is back to sleeping in his warm hide. I will make sure to put the probe in his hide. I have checked that the lazer gun is correct as well. Thanks for all the help.

:yahoo: That IS good news!

Be sure to provide your leo with a good thermal gradient from a warm end to a cool end.