Introduction to Leopard gecko lighting

It has been said that there can be no day without night, and there can be no night without day.

Day and night cycles can be created using light. In addition to creating a sensible photoperiod, the correct Leopard gecko lighting can also be used to supply heat and areas to bask in and can improve the aesthetic appearance of terrariums during the day or at night.

In nature, Leopard geckos are mainly active during the hours of dusk, dawn and during evenings. In other words, during times where the light intensity is low and/or there is no light at all. Many Leopard geckos are kept without any form of lighting⁽⁵⁰⁾, but by supplying light, their environment and activities can be made more natural.

The topic of supplying ultraviolet lighting (UVB) is still controversial⁽⁵⁰⁾, but by looking at their natural behaviour, UVB lighting can be used with caution under certain circumstances.

Lighting for Leopard geckos comes in various shapes, types and sizes. The necessity of lighting and the type of lighting used will depend on the type of housing (enclosure) and where it is located. For pet Leopard geckos, lighting is most often supplied artificially using electric light sources. An electrical timer can be used to switch lighting equipment on or off at desired.

Lighting equipment and other Leopard gecko accessories and care items are available online (e.g. Amazon.com), from specialised pet shops and general hardware stores.

Amazon.com
BangGood Also see
Supplying heat to pet Leopard geckos

Natural Leopard gecko lighting and activity

Various literature sources exist where the time of day, i.e. natural light cycles, are reported to have an effect on the natural behaviour of Leopard geckos^(49)(64)(66).

Leopard geckos live in areas where it is considered to be bright and sunny during the day. Although this is true, these geckos are considered to be crepuscular^(50)(51)(59) to nocturnal^(49)(64)(69) in nature.

In Pakistan, Leopard geckos were observed to be mostly active during the hours of dusk and dawn⁽⁴⁹⁾ — just before sunrise and just after sunset — and during the evenings.  Sherman & Minton report them to be strictly nocturnal where Leopard geckos only start to become visible at sunset⁽⁶⁴⁾.

Leopard geckos prefer to spend their days sheltering and hiding under or between rocks or under plants⁽⁶⁰⁾. Although Leopard geckos have been observed basking during the day⁽³⁴⁾, it is more important that heat is supplied from below in order for basking to take place. Evening basking will take place on rocks that were heated during the day⁽³²⁾.

Day and night are not only about light and dark. In nature, there is also a seasonal pattern to how long these periods are — called the photoperiod. As longer nights in winter become shorter in summer, Leopard geckos are able to establish the four seasons of the year.

Also see
Natural distribution of Leopard geckos

Lighting for Leopard geckos can either be direct or indirect, or natural or artificial. The type of lighting used will dependant on the size and type of enclosure. Lighting can also be divided into daylight and night light.

Direct vs. indirect lighting

Direct lighting is when there is no obstruction between the light source and the inside of the enclosure. For Leopard geckos, it is best supplied using overhead artificial lighting in the form of incandescent, fluorescent or halogen lamps. Commercial reptile lighting products are preferred over non-commercial or non-specialised ones.

Overhead lighting can either be mounted onto the side of cabinet-like enclosures, into the lid of glass enclosures or placed on top of mesh lids. Ones that are mounted on the inside of enclosures should be mounted securely and placed high up to prevent direct contact with Leopard geckos. Direct lighting can also be placed on top of screen lids or mounted onto a lampstand.

On the other hand, indirect lighting is when there is a barrier, e.g. glass or transparent plastic, separating the light source and the inside of the enclosure, but still allow light to pass through.

A good example of indirect lighting for Leopard geckos would be the light emitted from a lit room. The light in the room can either be natural light shining in from a window or artificial light in the form of electrical light. As the room becomes dark, so does the enclosure.

Natural vs. artificial lighting

Wild Leopard geckos live in environments where they are exposed to sunlight — in other words, natural lighting. Sunlight produces the entire visible light spectrum (including the infrared to ultraviolet waves – see later).

Taking into consideration the risk for overheating and their crepuscular behaviour, direct, natural light (i.e. sunlight) is almost never a good choice when it comes to long a term lighting solution for pet Leopard geckos. Pet Leopard geckos have been reported to get sunburned when exposed to sunlight. Also, placing an enclosure in direct sunlight can lead to temperature spikes which can be life-threatening.

Lighting can also be produced artificially. Artificial light can be produced from sources such as fluorescent tubes, halogen lamps and incandescent bulbs using electricity. It is more practical and much safer than natural lighting and is probably the most common form of lighting for Leopard geckos.

These days, both ultraviolet and infrared waves can be produced artificially using specialised lighting.

Lighting vs. heating

In some cases, a light source can also be used as a heat source. Any light source emitting infrared (IR) waves will produce some degree of heat.

Most artificial light sources will raise the ambient temperature inside an enclosure — at least to some degree. The same goes for night lighting.

Incandescent light bulbs (those with a wire filament that is heated until it glows) are more efficient in producing heat. The higher the power output (in Watt) the more heat will be produced. An incandescent spotlight pointed at a heat-absorbing platform (e.g. a rock) is popularly used to create a basking area for Leopard geckos.

Day vs. night lighting for Leopard geckos

Lighting for Leopard geckos can also be in the form of night light. Special, commercial reptile night lights are available for Leopard geckos. Night lights are said not to interfere with their behaviour and/or affect the overall photoperiod. Night lights can either be used for their night light-emitting properties only, or to supply heat in the process.

While light during the day mimics a more natural environment, night lighting is purely for owners to be able to view the inside of a Leopard gecko’s enclosure. While daylight light rays are visible to people and Leopard geckos, night lights are only visible to people. In other words, while we as humans are able to see night light inside a Leopard gecko’s enclosure, a Leopard gecko will not.

Lighting and photoperiod

Day and night are not only about light and dark — there is also a seasonal photoperiod associated with these times.

The photoperiod is the amount of time per day (in hours and minutes) it is considered to be light (vs. dark). The natural photoperiod for Leopard geckos is more or less 11 hours in winter and 13 hours in summer. This is often better controlled by using an electrical timer switch.

Also see
The photoperiod for Leopard geckos

Ultraviolet (UV) lighting for Leopard geckos

Looking at the visible light spectrum, ultraviolet (UV) rays are those with the shortest wavelengths (280 – 400 nm). Infrared (IR) rays are on the opposite side of this spectrum and are mainly used for emitting heat. Both UV and IR, and all the wavelengths in between, are naturally produced by the sun, but can also be produced artificially using specialised lighting.

UV light can be divided into UVA (315 – 400 nm wavelengths) and UVB (280 – 315 nm wavelengths). UVB is known to play an important role in the production of vitamin D₃ in diurnal lizards (mostly active during the day). Vitamin D₃ is required for calcium absorption from the intestines and its metabolism.

The common argument about using UV lighting in Leopard geckos is that they are mostly active during, dusk, dawn and the evenings — do they need UV lighting?^(50)(51) Another argument is that Leopard geckos have been kept healthy and successfully for generations without UV lighting⁽⁵¹⁾.

For these reasons, many Leopard gecko keepers prefer not to use UV lighting at all. Others⁽⁵¹⁾ do recommend its use with caution and only under certain circumstances:

• UV lighting should only be used during the day
• UV lamps should be mounted around 30 cm / 12 ” away from the floor of the enclosure⁽⁵⁰⁾
• Low form tubes (in the T8 range) and/or low-intensity UV lights (5-5%) should be used⁽⁵⁰⁾
• Proper hiding areas (“deep dark hides”) isolating the Leopard gecko completely should be supplied⁽⁵⁰⁾

Also see
Leopard gecko hide areas and hide boxes

Thermometers and electrical timers can make lighting equipment easier to use.

Thermometers

Thermometers come in different shapes and sizes and are used to measure temperatures.

Before the installation of lighting equipment is finalised, daytime and nighttime temperatures should be measured in various areas of the enclosure. A thermometer can also be permanently installed on the inside of the enclosure to keep a constant watch on the temperatures. The probe of the thermometer should preferably be inserted into or under the substrate⁽³²⁾.

The REPTI ZOO Reptile Terrarium thermometer can read the temperatures in the recommended temperature range of Leopard geckos. Available from Amazon.com

Also see
Leopard gecko thermometers

Electrical timers

Electrical timers (or electrical timer switches) can also be used to switch lighting equipment on or off at the desired times.

Zoo Med Repticare Day Night Timer can turn daylights on in the morning and off at night and nightlights on at night and off in the morning. It is perfect for regulating the photoperiod of Leopard geckos. Available from Amazon.com

Also see
Using electrical timers with Leopard geckos

Conclusion

Lighting plays an important part in creating a more natural environment and natural behaviour in Leopard geckos. Various types of lighting exist for Leopard geckos and lighting can also be used as heating.

UV lighting can be used with Leopard geckos, but only under certain circumstances and with caution.

Lighting accessories such as electrical timers and thermometers can make the use of lighting easier.

The post Supplying light to Leopard geckos appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

Leopard geckos need very little lighting to do well as pets. Unlike diurnal (day living) reptiles, they do not need any additional ultraviolet lighting.

When the enclosure is used for displaying purposes or there is not enough natural light, additional Leopard gecko lighting equipment must be installed. This can be in the form of simple Leopard gecko fluorescent lighting available in tubes or bulbs. These lighting units do not emit a lot of heat and are cheap, long-lasting and economical to run.

Most electrical lighting equipment can be connected to an automated timer to keep the day and night times constant and more natural.

Light fittings

Leopard gecko lighting is going to need some sort of light fittings. Fluorescent lighting can be in the form of screw-in or bayonet type fluorescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent fittings must be mounted securely on the roof or as close as possible to the top of the enclosure. There must be no possible contact between a Leopard gecko and the lighting tubes or fittings and the cabling must always be on the outside. Make sure to get the appropriate fitting and match the fluorescent tube wattage with the fluorescent tube fitting to prevent incompatibilities.

Leopard gecko lighting accessories. A very basic fluorescent tube fitting, electric timer to switch the Leopard gecko lights on & off, Bayonet-type light fluorescent bulb and light fluorescent tube.

The post Leopard Gecko lighting & lighting accessories appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

The photoperiod is the time a Leopard gecko is exposed to light (vs. darkness) – over a period of 24 hours. When placed in an artificial environment, the photoperiod needs to be considered as it has an effect on a Leopard gecko’s activity and reproduction.

The photoperiod is the period of time each day during which an organism receives illumination. In other words, it is the day length. In nature, the photoperiod is mainly determined by the sun. For Leopard geckos, the photoperiod affects the day-night-rhythm which has an effect on their activity and is (over time) used to determine the four seasons of the year.

Leopard geckos are crepuscular and nocturnal animals, meaning they are mainly active from dusk until dawn. During the day, Leopard geckos will hide away and sleep most of the time. When comparing the amount of time Leopard geckos actually spend in lit areas with, for example, diurnal animals, it is often concluded that the photoperiod plays an insignificant role.

Even though this might not be what is seen in pet Leopard geckos, scientists have determined that the amount of melatonin (see later) varies when there is a variation in their photoperiod – which suggest that photoperiod might have an effect on their reproduction. Literature also states that irregular photoperiods and excessive periods of darkness are stressors of Leopard geckos⁽²⁹⁾.

Natural photoperiod for Leopard geckos

When looking at the day-night rhythms in South Asia there is a relatively small difference between seasonal photoperiods. Starting to increase after winder, daylengths are at their longest in June (about 12 hours and 50 minutes). The shortest days are in December and January (11 hours and 30 minutes). This gives about 11 hours and 10 minutes of nighttime during summer and 12 hours thirty during the winter months. During autumn and spring the daylight length will gradually change towards or away from about 13 hours per day. Also see natural distribution and habitat of Leopard geckos for more information.

The pineal gland of Leopard geckos

Most vertebrates, including Leopard geckos, have what is called a pineal gland (also referred to as a ‘third eye‘ or ‘pineal eye‘). It is a small pea-shaped gland situated in the brain which is sensitive to environmental light (i.e. the photoperiod). The pineal gland of Leopard geckos should not be confused with the Jacobson’s organ (which is an organ used to ‘smell’). Although some of the pineal gland’s functions are still unknown, it is known that it secretes melatonin (a hormone) when lizards are exposed to light (e.g. daylight). Being dependant on the seasonal changes (in other words the photoperiod), the pineal gland of most lizards are well developed.

Longer days (13 hours per day) will lead to more melatonin secretion and vice versa. In other words, when the concentration of melatonin is relatively low (i.e. when the day-length is relatively short when compared with the night-length – about 11 hours per day) a Leopard geckos’s brain can determine that it is winter. Leopard geckos can also determine whether it is spring or autumn through regular changes of melatonin. When there is a sudden change in the concentration from low to high (i.e. during spring) these hormones, among other things, stimulate breeding behaviour.

Controlling the photoperiod for pet Leopard geckos

Even though there is a seasonal variation in the photoperiod in nature, the well-being and breeding patterns of pet Leopard geckos do not seem to change significantly. Most Leopard gecko keepers prefer to use natural room lighting or 12 hours of light where artificial light needs to be provided. Artificial light can either be supplied by using a light bright enough to lid the room or as a low wattage (40 Watt) light or a reptile night light shining onto or into the container. Whatever lighting is used, it should not interfere with the temperature of the keeping container (also see supplying heat to pet Leopard geckos for more information.

To create a photoperiod that resembles the day-night cycles in South Asia, lighting equipment can be used. By changing the on-off light cycles in combination with a seasonal roster a more natural photoperiod can be created. This process can either be done manually or by using a programmable electric timer.

As mentioned previously, lighting should be on for about 13 hours per day during the three main months of summer. During the three winter months, the lights should be on for 11 hours and off for 13 hours. During the three months of spring, the light period should be gradually increased from 11 to 13 hours per day and from 13 to 11 hours per day during autumn.

References

• 30) Boyer, Thomas H.; Garner, Michael M.; Reavill, Drury R.; Steffes, Zachary J. Leopard Gecko Diseases and Care. Proceedings. Retrieved 22 July 2020

Leopard geckos 101 is a free, informative website helping to improve the quality of pet Leopard geckos. If you found value in any of its content, please consider making a donation. Also see the other ways to support Leopard geckos 101.

The post Leopard gecko photoperiod appeared first on Leopard Gecko.

Introduction Leopard gecko photoperiod

The photoperiod is the period of time (in hours and minutes) per day during which we are exposed to light. In other words, daytime (vs. night time). On earth, natural light mainly comes from the sun. The number of daylight hours varies from place to place. It is mainly dependant on the location on earth and typically ranges between 10 and 14 hours per day.

For reptiles, the photoperiod establishes a day-night rhythm which does not only affect their day to day activity and behaviour but also their ability to determine the season of the year. It is known that Leopard geckos are crepuscular^(50)(51)(59) to nocturnal^(49)(69) by nature, meaning they are intermittently active during the periods of dusk, dawn and the evenings.

Outside these periods (i.e. during the day and during the night), Leopard geckos will spend most of their time hiding and sleeping. Because of this, it is commonly concluded that they do not need exposure to light at all, but various literature suggests that it is not the case and that even pet Leopard geckos do benefit from having day and night patterns.

Scientists are also of the opinion that irregular photoperiods and excessive periods of darkness are actual stressors of Leopard geckos^(29)(30).

In most cases, using the natural day-night patterns of your location will be enough. For those not living in sunny areas and/or in the case where electrical light sources are used, the photoperiod for Leopard geckos can either be set to 12 hours per day or between 11 hours in winter and 13 hours in summer.

Leopard geckos are believed to show sensitivity to the photoperiod — called photoperiodisms. They are also sensitive to what time of day it is. In this photo, a juvenile Leopard gecko is hiding under shelter. This is typically done by Lepard geckos during the day and/or during the night.

The phenomenon of being sensitive to the photoperiod is called photoperiodism. Although the photoperiod is defined by the length of day or a light period, photoperiodism is the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of the night or a dark period.

Scientists believe that the amount of melatonin (see later) varies when there is a variation in the photoperiod — which suggest that photoperiod might have an effect on their biology, reproduction and other behaviours. When a Leopard gecko is placed in an artificial environment, the photoperiod needs to be considered as it will likely affect the behaviour and reproduction.

Natural photoperiod for Leopard geckos

As mentioned earlier, the number of daylight hours depends on where you are in the world. When looking at the day-night rhythms of South Asia (where Leopard geckos are naturally found) there is a relatively small difference between seasonal photoperiods. Starting to increase after winter, daylengths are at their longest in June (about 12 hours and 50 minutes).

The shortest days are in December and January (11 hours and 30 minutes). This gives about 11 hours and 10 minutes of nighttime during summer and 12 hours and 30 minutes during winter. During autumn and spring, the daylight length will gradually change towards or away from about 13 hours per day.

Also see
Natural distribution and habitat of Leopard geckos

The brain of many lizards has an area that is called the pineal complex. This area consists mainly of the pineal gland (also referred to as the pineal body or the pineal organ) and the pineal eye (also referred to as the parietal eye or a ‘third eye‘). Both the pineal gland and the parietal eye are photosensitive⁽⁵²⁾ (i.e. sensitive to light).

Note: Although the author of this article could not find any direct reference on whether (both) these areas are present in Leopard geckos, both are cited to be present in Squamata (which includes Leopard geckos) and the pineal eye is cited to be present in some Squamata⁽⁵²⁾.

The pineal gland should not be confused with the Jacobson’s organ (which is the part of the brain which is used to ‘smell’).

Although some of their functions are still unknown, the pineal gland, and, to a lesser degree, the parietal eye mainly secretes the hormone melatonin. Research showed that there seems to be an inverse relationship between cultured melatonin levels and environmental light⁽⁵²⁾.

In other words, more melatonin is secreted in the absence of light. Interestingly enough, its secretion was reduced in the presence of white light, but not in infrared light⁽⁵²⁾.

Reptiles are known to exhibit daily and yearly patterns in their behaviour. A rhythmic pattern that repeats every 24 hours is called a circadian rhythm. In reptiles, melatonin is believed to play a vital role in maintaining this circadian rhythm⁽⁵²⁾. Taking the seasonal differences of photoperiod into consideration, one can appreciate the fact that the average melatonin levels with differ between summer and winter months.

For this reason, and others, it is believed that melatonin plays a functional role in many aspects of reptilian biology⁽⁵²⁾. Melatonin has an influence on the behavioural and physiological mechanisms controlling thermoregulation^(52)(53). The pineal complex is suspected to also be involved in the reproduction cycles and behaviour of reptiles⁽⁵²⁾.

Also see
Breeding behaviour in Leopard geckos
Leopard gecko breeding

Photoperiod for pet Leopard geckos

Even though there is a seasonal variation of the photoperiod in nature, the well-being and breeding patterns of pet Leopard geckos do not seem to differ significantly in the absence of small daylight variations. This is probably due to the fact that temperature also plays a role. Most Leopard gecko keepers prefer to use natural room light or 12 hours⁽⁵⁰⁾ of artificial light.

Artificial light is usually supplied by using overhead lighting in the form of fluorescent tubes, energy saver light bulbs, LEDs or low power (

The post The photoperiod for Leopard geckos appeared first on Leopard Gecko.