Habitat temp

[Listy]

Hi again all! Thx for the great advice from my last post. I have read that the optimal temp for the habitat is 82-88 degress F. What is the top temp that the substrate and climbing/hiding surfaces should be. I was checking Jeffrey's log for stray crickets a bit ago, and the inside of the log felt quite hot, so I put the thermometer in it and it registered 90 degrees. So, I took it out and put the thermometer on the substrate and it registered almost 100. This seems awfully high to me and I am concerned about burns. That is why I did not get any heat rocks. We've had him for two weeks, he has shed twice and he is not showing any signs of burns that I can see. Any info you may have would be great. Thx

--Jeanne

[NicoleRussell]

I'm not the gecko person here but what are you using to measure temps?

[Listy]

A small, circular habtitat thermometer by Flukers.

[NicoleRussell]

as some people here can attest to, those dial thermometers are terrible---the ones I still have glued to some of my cages I totally disregard.
Get a gun or a digital probe...they will give you more accurate readings.
A member here--geckoguy--is currently the one to ask about specific gecko requirements...I'm a sunloving lizard keeper
But as far as temps go---those dials are crap

[Listy]

Thx for the info.

[reptilemama]

What kind of geckos? If they're leos, then 88-90 is the max. ANy hotter and you're risking overheating.

[Listy]

Yes. They're leos. Thank you very much. I knew the general habitat temp shouldn't be more than 90, but I wasn't sure about contact surface temps.

[Boa Enthusiast]

You can get a dimmer switch that can control the heat. You can get ones especially made for reptiles or ones from hardware stores. You make the heat high, medium and low. You can probably get one from a hardware store for $5


Kev

[Fairy_of_insanity]

the ligh might be too close....how much space is between the light and the substrate...and the stuff....?

[Boa Enthusiast]

You shouldnt worry about the substrate being to hot actually. Mine hide all day in there little hides and dont come out. Check the substrate in there hides and see how hot it is. Mine come out at night and by then it cools down.


Kev