Reptile Temperature Control

March 14th, 2010 | Published in Reptiles

Reptile Temperature Control
questions about leopard geckos?

Ok, so i asked a question on what reptile i should get a yesterday, and someone said leopard geckos. They can live in a 10 gall, but my question is how you control temperature in such a small tank. Websites i visited told me one side has to be 90 degrees, and another side has to be cooler,, didn't say how much though. Also, are small rock the best bedding for them because I read that they can eat the sand and get stomach problems.

thank you

A 10 gallon tank should really only be used when the leopard gecko isn't fully grown, but I suppose you could. You can achieve the 90 degree warm side and 75-80 degree cool side by purchasing a UTH (Under Tank heater) that covers only one side of the tank so that the leopard gecko can move between sides to regulate its temperature.

As for the substrate, you should NOT use any kind of loose substrate. They can eat it by mistake and it will stay in their stomach, causing a build up which is very life threatening. Don't get the "digestible calcium sand" either. Its not digestible, so just dont get any sort of loose substrate. If your gecko is a baby you should give it paper towels and once they are adult size you can give them Reptile Carpet. Some people also use tiles, but if you do that then you probably shouldn't get a UTH