Reasons Why Your Leopard Gecko Isn't Using Its UV Lamp

Oftentimes reptile keepers will add a UV lamp to an enclosure to provide UVB and UVA, but find their pet starts to hide a lot, particularly crepuscular species like leopard geckos, so I am here to explain why this may be happening.
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⌚ TIME STAMPS
0:00 Intro, 1:07 Wild Behaviour, 2:57 Reason 1, 3:50 Reason 2, 4:27 Reason 3, 4:59 Reason 4, 6:15 Reason 5, 7:56 Reason 6, 9:06 Reason 7, 10:49 Still Hiding?
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#LeopardGecko #Reptiles #UVLamps

[@darthboa]

Love the gecko fun fact. Another fun fact is that within the geckos; Eublepharids are believed to have diverged from other geckos in the late Cretaceous period. Around 50-70 million years ago

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Ooo that's super interesting!

[@kropka8259]

1:25 HA! THE FOOT!

[@ALeavingLegacyInNature]

Hey, I’ve just got my self my first leopard geckos yesterday! I just wanted to take the time to thank you so much for your content! You just have the best vibes and such a welcome change of energy from the conflicting and judgmental forums! Please tell me the secret of how you got them comfortable with chin scratches bc it is just the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!?

[@ijbagregory]

Last week I seen my leopard gecko on top of his rock hide right under his uv when I turned off the “light” lamp, so cute.

[@michal8270]

was just thinking about that, and this video pops up on my feed :D

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Perfect timing haha

[@_Obey_]

Its the opposite for me. At least one of my geckos, Banana, is constantly under the uvb heatlamp, so much so that I worry if everything is okay with him.

[@geckosarecute6304]

Thank you for the information and fantastic videos!! I got an arcadia cowl uvb lamp for my gecko and It's waaaay better then the other one I had. She uses it and pokes her head out of her hide or a tail a bit. (She moving to a bigger one soon). So this is not permanent. The hides thing yes I want to benefit with newer hides now in her small enclosure. Find she uses them a bit but she loooves to spread out so a round ish one isn't working for her. Will change soon! Now I have my leopard gecko during night time to say hello and during the day I have a frilled dragon to say hello. I have best of both worlds and wouldn't ask for more. As long as they are happy and healthy I am happy! 🥰

[@nightinggale6470]

By ‘cowl’ do you mean a coil/compact bulb?

[@geckosarecute6304]

@@nightinggale6470 Yes! 😀 Thank you!

[@nightinggale6470]

@@geckosarecute6304 I strongly recommend switching to the Arcadia shadedweller, tube UVB bulbs are much better than compact bulbs :)

[@geckosarecute6304]

@Nighting Gale She will be have that with her new enclosure with a Deep heat projector too. It's being built. 😀 thank you though! 😊

[@lindseybruveris]

very helpful as always!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thanks!

[@mud8833]

Great explanations and reference information!

[@4MPH1B1]

So helpful gonna start taking notes!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@jocepalma]

Hi! I use a uvb heat emitter that gives off no visible light. I also use an undertank heater, all controlled by the thermostat. My gecko never goes under the above heat, and I get worried she might be cold! What should I do during night when I'm supposed to turn the overtank heater?

[@beanymcmuffin6452]

I just put the jungle bar 22 watts in my leopard gecko tank and he seems to completely hate it. He’s closing his eyes and hiding in his cold hide and I don’t know if I should keep the lamp or take it out.

[@johnwhisler6980]

Bravo

[@johmannbush]

Great video, I’ve been confused about lamps for leopard geckos and basking. Can you suggest an ideal uv lamp product?

[@ingeniouspixie]

Rebecca can correct me, but I understand that she always uses Arcadia Shade Dweller.

[@ingeniouspixie]

Excellent info! I have wondered that question, so thank you! And I love seeing the little leggies stretched out. 😍🥰

[@johmannbush]

@@ingeniouspixie thanks, and oh shoot just watching again and see that this is mentioned. sorry!

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yep, like I said in the video, I use 7% UVB ProT5 ShadeDweller :)

[@briansee7641]

I think they make a 2.5% one now​@@leopardgeckotalk

[@jj32094]

My female will go mad if I change her hide for a different one. I use the uvb lights from arcadia shadedweller the male is nearly always out but female hide's from it just might stick out her foot or tail

[@leopardgeckotalk]

That's interesting! I just realised you have one of my photos as your profile pic lol

[@bitethebrownie562]

Hello, I was wondering where you get your stone slate for your geckos tank? I've been DYING to get some but I have no idea where theyre from!

[@sumerburton]

The garden centre

[@briansee7641]

Garden centers of any store that has a garden department

[@briansee7641]

12 to 15in from the back of ur geckos back and basking rock or stick

[@wolvesarecoming022]

So i am receiving a baby Leopard Gecko and I saw your videos and think their great 👍 i purchased earthpro calcuim and vitamin d3 although i understand theres a schedule set up to make sure to fit them properly i need to know if i should put the UVB light still while giving them this two supplements. Unfortunately i couldnt find in US any good news on Earthpro Vitamin A so i was only able to afford the Calcium. Why do you think

[@Liz-M]

🦎👍👏🏼

[@sumerburton]

I got my gecko 5 days ago and it hides while the uvb is on and comes out after it’s turned off, will he start coming out to basket as he settles in more or just avoid it? Btw I use the mini T5 2.4% Uvb kit.

[@philipbayliss879]

Do i need a uvb light for lepoard gecko as says i need it 18 inch above but tank iv got even thoe says its for lepaord geckos it would be to close

[@nightinggale6470]

UVB is very beneficial for them, the Arcadia shadedweller is generally a good option. What’re the dimensions of the enclosure?

[@tony3176]

So I got my Leopard Gecko last month, didn't have enough money for the UVB shade dweller just yet so I got some Calcium D3, I've had him on it for a month now. He's healthy--5 inches long, crawling around his/her 55 gallon tank. Should I get him this light even though he really doesn't come out during the day ?

[@nightinggale6470]

Yes, I highly recommend getting a UVB tube. He will likely at least bask cryptically under it (only exposing part of his body). What heat source are you using?

[@cosmicgamer4516]

I just bought my gecko, tried to hold it right near its cage but out of the enclosure, then it jumped. Is there a way to make her (Mesmeralda) a bit more comfortable with human handling?

[@cringesh1t427]

Give it a week or so to settle in without interruption. Then introduce yourself. Leave your hand in the tank for a few minutes at a time. Slowly ease up on her and slide your fingers down her back. Leave a piece of your clothing with no perfume or scent other than you on it so she learns to associate the smell with “home” in a sense. Try hand feeding her in the beginning as well to encourage more positive association with you and your body. Speak to her or around her get her used to sounds around her so she doesn’t react very skittish when you get too close while talking to her and what not.

[@bleepthebom]

I recently got a baby gecko and his tail is pretty thin, and I've put a mealworm infront of him and he seems scared of it, so how would I get him to eat?

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Mealworms aren't really the best food, they can be offered as part of a varied diet, but bowls of mealworms won't do much. I do have a video on plumping up a tail - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXvZkmCimteqe68

[@bleepthebom]

@@leopardgeckotalk thanks for the help :)

[@nightinggale6470]

It’s completely normal for new geckos not to eat, they’re stressed out and need time to adjust to their new environment. It’s also normal for young geckos to have smaller tails, they’ll fill out as they get older :)

[@KermitTFYT]

I’m Breeding geckos because of you.

[@luwildy]

She advocates against doing that…. Too many geckos are in shelters/rescued. Leopard geckos are one of the most commonly rehoused reptiles please do not breed them. If your passion is breeding pick a species that is less likely to be rehomed. If your passion is leopard geckos consider rescuing a few instead of making more potentially homeless animals

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Yeah I really advise against breeding geckos, but if you're going to do it, I hope you do it right :)

[@Anon_E_Muss]

Great video topic. My gecko always hides in his hides so I was wondering about this myself.

[@leopardgeckotalk]

No problem :D

[@ipromisemusic]

Is the lamp sold with enclosure a uv lamp?

[@leopardgeckotalk]

The lamp is the UV lamp. Do you mean is it sold with a fitting? If you buy the ProT5 kit, or the Mini Kit, then yes it comes with the fitting, you can then buy the lamp separately when it needs replacing :)

[@ipromisemusic]

@@leopardgeckotalk I mean they sell these kits as if you can just buy them and you're good then you watch one KZbin video and they say nah nothing in that kit is good but the box lol

[@ipromisemusic]

Are all the lamps sold with kits UV lamps?

[@nightinggale6470]

Kits typically include a heat lamp and a compact UVB bulb. Tube UVB bulbs are much better than compact bulbs. Kits are generally trash and should be avoided.

[@gryllidaeperkcal1369]

@@ipromisemusic What those KZbin video say are right (with only one exception that I can think of from the top of my head). Unless you can afford a Custom Reptile Habitats Leopard Gecko Kit, you’re better off setting up the enclosure from scratch. All the other kits that I know of in the US will make you actually spend extra money to replace equipment with safe and functional items.

[@JJ-ji9xx]

I personally dont use uv lamp as i set up my enclosure near a window, and i live in a hot country so i dont need heaters either

[@blethr]

uvb doesn’t penetrate through glass, so having a tank by the window does nothing but potentially overheat the tank itself from the sun hitting the glass.

[@cringesh1t427]

@@blethr why do they need uvb if many people give them calcium with d3

[@JJ-ji9xx]

@@blethr ok i need to elaborate, the window a square hole in the wall, and i cover my enclosure with a diy lid mainly using mesh (holes the size of a rice grain). The spot is nice because sun only hit it semi directly during the evenings, im sure some uvb rays penetrate through the top. I see them sometimes basking on a rock that gets the most sun. In regards to overheating, i have a thermometer and it bottoms out at 23, and reaches max 31. I have fans to keep moisture fairly low, but i do provide a humid hide and spray it few times a week. I also give my geckos calcium with D3. 🙏 And both my geckos are ~6 years old now, had them since they were 2 months.

[@blethr]

@@JJ-ji9xx okay lol, that setup makes a lot more sense. sounds good!

[@blethr]

@@cringesh1t427 uvb helps reptiles synthesize their vitamin d3. it’s just more natural.

[@jadix1248]

First

[@HuxleyQuinn-t6o]

Wilson Kenneth Jackson Mary Davis Steven

[@mrgiigles-1412]

Hey, I've gotten a leopard gecko and ever since I've been watching your videos. I've been struggling with the tank setup due to different youtubers/articles on the topic of said animals. I was wondering if there was a way, I could send you a photo of the tank to better benefit their lives. Thanks.

[@nightinggale6470]

If you post a video of your enclosure setup I’d be happy to give advice :)

[@mrgiigles-1412]

@@nightinggale6470 Alright thanks! I'll upload one soon!

[@nightinggale6470]

@@mrgiigles-1412 definitely ditch the heat rock, they’re known for overheating and burning/cooking reptiles. Even when regulated, they still don’t make a good heat source unfortunately. A halogen flood bulb would be the most natural and beneficial heat source. Eco earth also isn’t the best substrate; it’s unnatural, dusty when dry, potentially hard on their joints (consistency is too loose), doesn’t hold burrows, etc. A soil/sand or soil/sand/clay mix would be ideal. Which UVB bulb are you using specifically (brand, percentage, tube or compact, etc.)?

[@taylort5546]

Hi!!!! My Leo gecko got calcium bumps under her armpits. I realized it was because I was giving her uvb as well as calcium with d3. I’ve stopped giving her the d3 calcium and am giving her regular calcium and it’s been a few weeks and the bumps still haven’t gone away. Should I take her to the vet or wait it out? Thank you so much for your informal videos!❤️

[@nightinggale6470]

Typically the bumps are fat deposits, not calcium. How often do you feed her, what types of feeders, and how old is she?

[@taylort5546]

@@nightinggale6470 she is 2 1/2 and I feed her mealworms and dubia roaches. Lately she has been only wanting to eat mealworms though

[@taylort5546]

@@nightinggale6470 I also feed her every 3-4 days! (Some days she rejects food so I try again the next day)

[@nightinggale6470]

@@taylort5546 I’d cut back to feeding once a week. Mealworms also aren’t the healthiest staple. Live crickets, silkworms, black soldier fly larvae, and hornworms are all healthy feeders (along with the dubias you already feed). The more variety in their diet, the better!

[@taylort5546]

@@nightinggale6470 okay, thank you for your advice and help! I have a vet appointment for her just in case but I’ll definitely get her more feeders here soon(-:

[@AquaGardenZen]

Beautifully done video and well explained thank you 🙏🏼

[@leopardgeckotalk]

Thank you :D

[@stan_lego_eda]

@@leopardgeckotalk hi! Can i have some advice? I've recently got a 25 gallon aqaurium, will this be a good size for a baby leopard gecko? I'm planning on upgrading to at least a 40 gallon in the future, hopefully with a door at the front. Also, how long would I keep a baby in the 25 before moving it up to a 40+? Thank you so much!! :)

[@ztarblack]

omg thank you I was just looking into it

[@leopardgeckotalk]

No problem :)

[@Berlin-lz4dh]

Eine naturschönheit ❤️